Page 7 of articles about genetics-reproduction in Articles

Joan Wennberg discusses with different experts how do they think that the ideal mating area design should be.

Returns increase in a PRRS-positive farm in the middle of a census increase plus a change of management in the batch farrowing system, from 3 weeks to 1.

One of the main tools to encourage the installation of extra lighting in the mating area is the data analysis, and more specifically the weaning-to-service interval.

The compounds responsible of boar taint can be reduced through feeding strategies, genetic selection and good management practices.

Weaning one or several weeks straight into pens, a week worth of space can be gained

This second part on AI stud management reviews the procedure for calculating sperm concentration and the elements that affect a correct assessment.

The impact of semen used for post-cervical AI is 2-3 times bigger than that used to produce cervical insemination doses; therefore, preparation of the doses should follow an even stricter control program.

Boar exposure time, duration and frequency, proper boar: gilt or sow ratio, exposure methods, hormones, …

This tool allows prediction of potential ejaculate yield and to aid in diagnosing subfertility/infertility associated with diseased tissues.

It is easy to see the reaction of the sows (of all of them!) when we supply them with paper. A handful in front of their snout or at the reach of their mouth is enough... oxytocin! It is like giving an injection!

The farm reports a problem of low prolificacy (mean annual live births of 11.91) and low fertility in summer, with a marked increase in acyclic returns.

We recommend that producers pay more attention to gilts and sows that are at risk of increasing NPD. Situations of increased risk are described.

This second part deals with the problems caused by not  recording properly the cause of abortions, sows and piglets deaths, nurse sows and hormonal treatments.

Production of a minimum number of doses to maintain profitability and the increase in post-cervical insemination leads to an increase of the doses produced per boar and, therefore, their share of responsibility in the production process.

The shorter and lower dose regime saves money but there is an increased risk of follicular cyst development, which may occur at doses below 13mg/day.

Introduction of post-cervical insemination has a very significant economic impact on the whole of the pork industry, and is a challenge of parallel magnitude to that raised by the transition from natural service to artificial insemination.