PheroBoar is designed for use as a boar substitute for detecting estrus in sows and gilts. The product can be used to determine the best timing for mating without the use of a boar, to supplement a heat check boar and fine-tune inseminations, or to sexually stimulate gilts and sows during heat for natural service, according to Andrew Lis, president and CEO of Pherotech International.

PheroBoar is all natural and water-based. “Just apply two sprays into a gilt's or sow's nostrils and in 10 seconds she will be locked up and relaxed and ready for artificial insemination (AI),” explained Pherotech's Eduardo Ovies. “You don't have to drag around a boar. The product can also be used for heat checking.” PheroBoar is non-pressurized, non-flammable and does not have an alcohol base.

Marcia Shannon asked how far away a producer should hold the dispenser from the pig's nostrils. Ovies recommended a 2-in. to 4-in. distance while spraying. “By spraying the individual, you are not impacting the other sows and gilts in the room like you would with a boar,” Shannon noted.

One $8 bottle treats around 50 females at two sprays per animal.

PheroMate is a pheromone spray that helps train new boars and increases vocalization and attentiveness of older boars. “Spray the boar two to three minutes before taking him to the collection area,” said Eduardo Ovies, Pherotech International. “You can also spray the (artificial) dummy sow.” Research at the University of Mexico shows it can help increase the volume of semen produced, Ovies said. PheroMate is all natural, non-pressurized and water-based.

Dave Uttecht asked where to purchase the product. Ovies said there are several U.S. distributors, or the product can be purchased directly from Pherotech.

One $9 bottle treats about 50 boars at four sprays per animal (two sprays on the boar and two on the semen collection dummy).

Learn more at www.pherotech.com.

Call 877-487-4872.

The Nesting Box gives each sow a self-contained, polyethylene farrowing unit that replaces the farrowing crate. Each 5½ × 9-ft. Nesting Box is thermostatically controlled, has a creep area, multiple-position anti-crush rods and anti-crush boards. The Nesting Box has a solid top that can be lifted on or off, depending on the season. The units can be moved with a front-end loader. Sows can come and go from the unit while pigs are kept inside.

“This method utilizes the sow's natural instincts,” explained Chad Maxwell, managing director, Natural Farrowing System, LLC. Individual Nesting Box units can be connected to form grids or pods. The Nesting Box concept allows producers to farrow year-round in an unheated barn or hoop structure. Likewise, Maxwell says the Nesting Boxes reduce the atmospheric heating needs of a traditional farrowing house by 54%, and, depending on weaning dates, can double as a nursery. Nesting Boxes are sold in groups of six to 24.

Jay Harmon asked if there was enough air exchange in the boxes to avoid condensation. “The Nesting Boxes stay dry and we have not experienced any moisture buildup problems,” Maxwell answered.

The panel had some safety concerns related to processing pigs in the nesting boxes.

Maxwell said the Nesting Boxes are a good option for all sizes of producers who are interested in targeting niche markets without using farrowing crates.

“We can design Natural Farrowing Systems using the Nesting Boxes that can be scaled from 1,000 head of market hogs/year to 1,000 head of feeder pigs/week, meeting both niche and commodity production needs,” he explained.

Maxwell noted that he has received inquiries from large commercial producers interested in the niche markets, to show-pig producers, to insurance companies looking for a way to house pigs in the event of a disaster.

Marcia Shannon liked the convenience of being able to move the unit with a front-end loader. “You could power wash the panels quickly, too,” she noted.

The panel agreed the Nesting Boxes seemed like a cost-effective way for producers to get started in pork production.

A set of six Nesting Boxes sells for $1,390/unit, or a total cost of $8,340, while the 24-unit set sells for $1,178/box for a total of $28,260. All sets come complete with all necessary equipment, including thermostatic control elements and electric control panels.

Learn more by calling 866-391-7670 or www.naturalfarrowingsystem.com