Focusing on Reproductive Efficiency
This quarter's benchmarking article will concentrate on two areas. We will begin by comparing production records from the previous quarter and previous...
Management Tools Help Improve Reproductive Efficiencies
This study provides “proof-of-principle” that use of a purpose-built boar exposure area (BEAR) to induce a natural first heat in “select” gilts, and the use of low-dose exogenous gonadotropins to induce first heat in non-cyclic “opportunity” gilts,...
‘Skip-a-Heat’ Plan Helps Avoid Second-Parity Slump
Breeding Parity 1 sows at their second postweaning estrus has been shown to increase the number of live embryos detected at Day 30 of gestation. This increase in embryo viability may negate the effects of the second-parity dip in reproductive performance...
Heat Detection Critical to Success
Investing time and talent in developing effective heat detection methods should be a top priority on every sow farm. Gilt development aside, this activity...
Fertility Revisited
One of the successes in pig production has been an almost continuous increase in sow herd productivity. Sow herds have continued to increase the number...
Proper AI Techniques, Semen Handling
The first and overriding principle of artificial insemination (AI) in swine is if a sow is in standing heat, she can be bred; if she is not in standing...
Designs to Reduce Seasonal Effects On Reproduction
When you see the term seasonal infertility, do you ever wonder which season of the year is causing the problem? In my opinion, the term should be replaced...
Effective Heat Detection Methods Poster
Effective heat detection, accurate recording of estrous cycles, and subsequent, well-timed matings or inseminations are critical to achieving high reproductive...
Are Sows Being Culled for the Right Reasons?
Pork producers and breeding herd managers typically record a single reason for culling a sow. Often, they simply check a box in their recordkeeping program...
