“…This would lead to removing the selection pressure from the first parity sows, which in the long run could have negative effect on sow reproductive performance. It needs to be kept in mind that gilts have lower physiological capability than older sows to produce the (first) litter since their uterus is not fully developed (e.g., Schukken et al, ; Tummaruk et al, ); and that the overall reproductive performance of the sow (and her offspring: Sell‐Kubiak, Knol, & Bijma, ; Sell‐Kubiak, Waaij, & Bijma, ) throughout her productive lifetime depends greatly on sow management as it can be affected by: the age at first insemination (Schukken et al, ; Sterning, Rydhmer, Eliasson‐Selling, ; Tummaruk et al, ), the interval between weaning and insemination (Vesseur, ) and lactation weight loss between consequent parties (Thaker & Bilkei, ). Thus, the expression of the full reproductive potential of the sow will always be affected by the management.…”