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A total of 30 boars were randomly selected and allots to one of two treatments. Treatment 1 (T1) consisted of a feeding program of 3kg/d for the first 8 weeks and then feeding was adjusted according individual body condition scoring. In the feeding programme for Treatment 2 (T2), boars were fed 2.6kg/d in the first four weeks until boars reached 180kg of BW; afterward boars were fed 2.7 kg/d for all of the experimental period. Boars were periodically weighed to determine periodical and overall ADG. Semen was collected from each boar once a week for a total duration of 16 months. Semen production and quality was also determined for each ejaculate.
It was observed that at the end of the experimental period, boars of T2 group were 14.5 kg heavier (P<0.15) than the control boars. A higher proportion of T2 boars (73 vs. 42%) were active at the end of the study, which numerically increased (P>0.35) average days in the stud (345 vs. 279 d), semen collections (58 vs. 49), and doses produced (1.238 vs. 1.077). No effects were observed on semen characteristics and quality.
It is concluded that AI boars should be fed to a set feeding level to achieve target weight gains to enhance longevity without affecting semen production and quality.
RC Sulabo, J Quackenbush, RD Goodband, MD Tokach, SS Dritz, JM DeRouchey and JL Nelsen 2008. Swine Day, KSU. 204-214.
