In a large-scale case study across 20 Brazilian herds, researchers evaluated 3,583 lactating sows for hind-leg claw lesions after parturition. Lesions were scored using a standardized four-point scale and summarized into a comprehensive lesion index (L-index), allowing deeper insight into claw health patterns across herds, parities and seasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
L-Index Scoring System<\/h4><\/div>\n\n\n\nLesions were scored from 0 (no lesion) to 3 (severe lesion), including heel overgrowth and erosions (HOE), heel-sole crack (HSC), separation along the white line (WL), horizontal (CHW) and vertical (CVW) wall cracks, overgrown toes (T), and torn dew claws (DC).<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
What emerged was a clear message: not all sows experience claw challenges the same way and not all seasons carry the same risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One Herd, Many Sow Realities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When the data were analyzed using multivariate techniques, sows naturally grouped into four distinct clusters, each with its own claw lesion profile (Figure 1 and 2). Some groups were more prone to white line damage, others to heel overgrowth and one group showed consistently higher severity across multiple lesion types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.zinpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Figure_1_Lesions_Cluster-1024x656.png\" "\\"Figure_1_Lesions_Cluster\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFigure 1. Claw Lesions Based on Clusters<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.zinpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Figure_2_SwineSeasonBlog-1024x656.png\" "\\"Figure_2_SwineSeasonBlog\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFigure 2.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, season of evaluation stood out as a major driver of lesion severity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Spring and winter were associated with higher scores for several lesion types, including heel overgrowth, horizontal and vertical wall cracks and white line separation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Summer consistently showed the lowest lesion scores across all categories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.zinpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Figure_3_LesionType_Season-1024x656.png\" "\\"Figure_3_LesionType_Season\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFigure 3. Claw Lesion Type and Severity was Influenced by Season<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
This creates a challenge for production systems. If claw lesions fluctuate with the season, and sows differ in their susceptibility, how do we design nutrition programs that are both proactive and precise?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Targeted Mineral Nutrition Supports Claw Resilience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The study also evaluated the role of zinc, manganese and copper amino acid complex<\/a> supplementation with Zinpro\u00ae Availa\u00ae Sow<\/a> on claw health (Figure 4). Across clusters, supplementation was associated with meaningful reductions in several lesion types, including horizontal wall cracks, heel-sole cracks and torn claws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.zinpro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Figure_4_LIndex_ZPM-1024x707.png\" "\\"Figure_4_LIndex_ZPM\\"")
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFigure 4. Reduction in L-Index of Cluster 1 and 3 with Zinpro\u00ae Performance Minerals\u00ae (ZPM)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Importantly, response was not uniform across all sow groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Certain clusters reached a plateau improvement in overall L-index after 8 to 10 months of supplementation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Other clusters showed more limited response, highlighting underlying biological or environmental differences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This reinforces a critical insight: mineral nutrition is most effective when aligned with sow condition, risk profile and timing. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the data support a strategy focused on building structural integrity ahead of high-risk seasons, particularly winter and spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rethinking Claw Health Through a Seasonal Lens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Claw lesions don\u2019t appear overnight, and they don\u2019t disappear that quickly either. This research underscores the importance of long-term, science-based mineral strategies that strengthen claw tissues before seasonal stressors peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For production systems, the take-home is clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Monitor claw health trends by season, not just by parity or housing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Recognize that different sow groups respond differently to the same intervention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use Zinpro Availa Sow<\/a> as part of a proactive program designed to support claw resilience over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
When we align nutrition with biology, and biology with the calendar, we move closer to sustainable sow longevity, improved welfare and more predictable performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lesions were scored from 0 (no lesion) to 3 (severe lesion), including heel overgrowth and erosions (HOE), heel-sole crack (HSC), separation along the white line (WL), horizontal (CHW) and vertical (CVW) wall cracks, overgrown toes (T), and torn dew claws (DC).<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
What emerged was a clear message: not all sows experience claw challenges the same way and not all seasons carry the same risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One Herd, Many Sow Realities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
When the data were analyzed using multivariate techniques, sows naturally grouped into four distinct clusters, each with its own claw lesion profile (Figure 1 and 2). Some groups were more prone to white line damage, others to heel overgrowth and one group showed consistently higher severity across multiple lesion types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFigure 1. Claw Lesions Based on Clusters<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFigure 2.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
At the same time, season of evaluation stood out as a major driver of lesion severity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Spring and winter were associated with higher scores for several lesion types, including heel overgrowth, horizontal and vertical wall cracks and white line separation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Summer consistently showed the lowest lesion scores across all categories.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Figure 3. Claw Lesion Type and Severity was Influenced by Season<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
This creates a challenge for production systems. If claw lesions fluctuate with the season, and sows differ in their susceptibility, how do we design nutrition programs that are both proactive and precise?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Targeted Mineral Nutrition Supports Claw Resilience<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
The study also evaluated the role of zinc, manganese and copper amino acid complex<\/a> supplementation with Zinpro\u00ae Availa\u00ae Sow<\/a> on claw health (Figure 4). Across clusters, supplementation was associated with meaningful reductions in several lesion types, including horizontal wall cracks, heel-sole cracks and torn claws.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nFigure 4. Reduction in L-Index of Cluster 1 and 3 with Zinpro\u00ae Performance Minerals\u00ae (ZPM)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
Importantly, response was not uniform across all sow groups:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Certain clusters reached a plateau improvement in overall L-index after 8 to 10 months of supplementation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Other clusters showed more limited response, highlighting underlying biological or environmental differences.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
This reinforces a critical insight: mineral nutrition is most effective when aligned with sow condition, risk profile and timing. Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, the data support a strategy focused on building structural integrity ahead of high-risk seasons, particularly winter and spring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rethinking Claw Health Through a Seasonal Lens<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Claw lesions don\u2019t appear overnight, and they don\u2019t disappear that quickly either. This research underscores the importance of long-term, science-based mineral strategies that strengthen claw tissues before seasonal stressors peak.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For production systems, the take-home is clear:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Monitor claw health trends by season, not just by parity or housing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Recognize that different sow groups respond differently to the same intervention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Use Zinpro Availa Sow<\/a> as part of a proactive program designed to support claw resilience over time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
When we align nutrition with biology, and biology with the calendar, we move closer to sustainable sow longevity, improved welfare and more predictable performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n