Reproduction

Fine-Tuned Breeding Can Boost Farrowing Results

Mon, 14 May 2012 17:17:00 +0000

By Ron Ketchem and Mark Rix, Swine Management Services LLC, Fremont, NE

This fifth and final article in this series focuses on the impact that artificial insemination (AI) technicians can have on farrowing rate and total pigs born when day of the week and hour of the day that insemination took place are known.

How to Manage Recycling Females to Improve Farrowing Rate, Total Pigs Born

Mon, 07 May 2012 18:03:00 +0000

By Ron Ketchem and Mark Rix, Swine Management Services LLC, Fremont, NE

In this fourth in a series of articles on the impact of artificial insemination (AI) technicians on farrowing rate and total pigs born, we have separated out information on the effect of female returns to estrus on total born and number of pigs born alive

Assisted Farrowing Tips

Wed, 02 May 2012 20:12:00 +0000

Sometimes sows need assistance with farrowing. National Hog Farmer provides tips for assisting with farrowing and using instruments with care. These illustrations appear on the popular National Hog Farmer production poster, "See What You Feel." Order educational posters from the National Hog Farmer Production Poster Series at http://nationalhogfarmer.com/posters/gate.

See What You Feel - An Assisted Farrowing Guide

Wed, 02 May 2012 16:32:00 +0000

Educational illustrations depict both normal pig delivery positions and abnormal delivery positions, and show manual delivery techniques.

Rare Genetic Immunodeficiency Found in Swine

Tue, 01 May 2012 18:57:00 +0000

Researchers at Iowa State have discovered the “bubble boy syndrome,” otherwise known as SCID, in swine, according to a report in the Iowa State Daily at Iowa State University.

The National Human Genome Research Institute says SCID, or severe combined immunodeficiency, is usually characterized by a lack of the adaptive immune system, a crucial part of the immune system.

Boar Stud Conference Attracts International Audience

Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:07:00 +0000

Boar Stud Conference Attracts International Audience

The Midwest Boar Stud Managers Conference Aug. 9-10 in St. Louis will explain the newest advancements in academic and industry research to better manage male pigs.

Digging Deeper into AI Technicians’ Impact on Reproductive Performance

Mon, 09 Apr 2012 18:38:00 +0000

Ron Ketchem and Mark Rix, Swine Management Services LLC, Fremont, NE

In this article, we will focus on how wean-to-1st-service interval affects farrowing rate and total pigs born by artificial insemination (AI) technician

Research Reviews Top Reasons Producers Cull Sows

Fri, 23 Mar 2012 17:11:00 +0000

The U.S. sow herd experiences a greater than 50% replacement rate annually, an average parity at culling of 3.5 to 3.8 and fewer than 40 pigs produced during a sow’s lifetime, according to Ken Stalder, an Iowa State University animal science professor, who has reviewed available databases.

The five most common reasons sows leave the herd are:

1) Reproductive failure
2) Feet and leg soundness
3) Age
4) Mortality
5) Postweaning issues

New Breeding Analysis Program Helps Identify Best Breeding Technicians

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 20:40:00 +0000

By Ron Ketchem and Mark Rix, Swine Management Services LLC, Fremont, NE

The Top 10% of farms in the Swine Management Services (SMS) database have a 90.3% average farrowing rate for the last 52 weeks. Five farms exceeded 94% farrowing rate. We know that for every 4% improvement in farrowing rate, a farm will produce 1.35 more pigs/sow/year, on average

Funds Approved for Pork Industry Research

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:25:00 +0000

The National Pork Board's six producer-led science and technology committees recently met in Dallas, TX, and reviewed research proposals to select projects that the Pork Checkoff would fund in 2012. In all, the groups reviewed more than 100 proposals, ultimately selecting those that would be of greatest benefit to the overall industry.