Page 13 of articles about genetics-reproduction in Articles

An economic model was developed that assessed financial loss through the pyramid from nucleus to multiplier to commercial herd on a per litter basis for traits with an incidence higher than 0.10%.

The ideal mating guideline should follow 2 objectives: At least one mating should be adjusted to meet the ideal time and achieve the first objective with the least number of matings.

As mentioned in the previous chapter, theoretically, the ideal mating time is around 10-12 hours before ovulation.

The optimal fertilization of a sow depends on several factors, among them, mating in a specific moment of the oestrus.

A survey was undertaken in a large anonymous European Breeding Company over a four year period ending March 2010. In total, 175843 pigs born were evaluated to establish the incidence of congenital defects and additional assessments were made at 95kg. More than half the total defects were identified in the growing and fattening period rather than at birth.

During the last 10 years we have been trying to optimize the different Batch Management systems (BM), searching for the most effective system. We had come to the conclusion that each one of the different traditional BM options had their pros and cons, and neither is better or worse than the other. Electing the best system depends on the necessities and the calibration of space on each particular farm. However, we have recently “discovered” a new BM option that opens the door to new possibilities.

Let us assume that the expected farrowing rate and live-born litter sizes are 90% and 12.5, respectively, but that current performance is 82% and 11.3, respectively. This means that too many sows are bred but failing to farrow and those that farrow are having fewer pigs.

Despite its scarce use in commercial artificial insemination programs (used only in 1% of all inseminated sows) nowadays no one questions the sanitary, economic, and productive advantages of cryogenically preserved semen with respect to fresh or refrigerated semen.

Adjustment of replacement on farms working on 3-week batch system.

When fresh or refrigerated semen is used in countryside conditions, the number of spermatozoa and the volume of the dose using PCI can diminish

Genetic selection over the last few decades has resulted in pigs with better feed conversion and leaner carcasses, but it has also led to pigs with a decreased ingestion capacity.

The new test on animal welfare in swine herds will demonstrate your knowledge on the welfare of sows.

There is sufficient genetic variation in host response to infection to allow future breeding goals for enhanced resistance or tolerance so that there are grounds to believe that it may be possible to breed commercial animals that have increased genetic resistance or tolerance to the disease.

Next we will consider some aspects that can be taken into account in order to adjust the day to induce farrowing.

On many farms the introduction of gilts is not homogenous. However, the introduction of a similar number of gilts to each productive batch would be ideal. How can we do this?

Are the measures taken with the pig in the farrowing room correct? Are the facilities optimal?