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Swine genetics and reproduction
The performance of pigs is the result of two influences: genetics and environment. Because the genetics of a pig plays an important role in its performance and meat quality, all pig producers should be familiar with the potential and application of genetic selection.
The genetic potential of pigs can have a major influence on the productivity and profitability of a pig enterprise. It is the combination of genetics, nutrition, health, environment and management that influences such factors as litter size, growth rates and carcass quality.
The reproductive herd is for the multiplication of maternal and paternal lines that are prized for economically valuable reproductive traits, or, traits that generate desirable offspring reliably. Typically, prized reproductive traits include litter size, particularly total number of pigs born, and pigs weaned, weight of the litter of piglets at birth and weaning, wean-to-estrus interval (WEI), and pigs per sow per year (PSY). In more recent years, length of time a sow remains productive in the herd (longevity or survivability) is increasing in priority for major genetic lines. These traits are prioritized due to the impact on value of the sow to the herd.
Many boar studs currently pre-extend semen with the thought of reducing cold shock.The most important factors influencing sperm function include collection temperature, storage temperature,and the suspension medium. 1 When spermatozoa are cooled too abruptly from body temperature to less than 15 degrees C, cold shock can occur, which may reduce sperm viability. 2 Semen should be extended as soon as possible after collection from the boar. Pre-extension is also thought to...
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Meeting the breeding needs of both Canadian and mid American producers has lead to the strategic alliance between Hypor Inc. and newly incorporated Mid-America Genetics International Incorporated (MAG) a Manitoba based genetic company. The partnership will see the development of a new commercial female by combining the industry leading Hypor Landrace line with the successful MAG Large White line.
While offering Hypor a unique multiplication opportunity and larger market reach,...
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In 2008, Dutch pig farmers using TOPIGS genetics achieved an average production of 27.3 weaned piglets per sow per year. This is an increase of 0.9 piglets compared to 2007. The top 10% of farms managed an impressive 30.7 piglets per sow The increased production is due to an increased litter size. In 2007 this was still 12.8 whereas in 2008 this was 13.1. For further data please see the table below. The data were collected from 1006 Dutch sow farms with a total of almost 415,000...
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Researchers from the University of Guelph in Canada presented the results from an evaluation of on-farm semen storage on 28 farms in Ontario at the recent meetings of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Their objective was to determine whether proper semen storage temperatures were being maintained on farms and what impact storage temperature has on the quality of stored boar semen.
Herds were first visited on the day a fresh batch of semen was delivered to or collected...
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Given the potential complexity of swine reproductive problems, the use of a systematic approach to addressing them is important. While a number of strategies can be used, the most effective ones are based on a thorough understanding of the physiology involved with normal reproductive processes. In other words, one needs to know first what should have happened, and then one can use this to help figure out what went wrong. This article is the first of two that will discuss how knowledge...
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Embedding sperm cells in a gel for artificial insemination increases the fertilisation period for cattle and pigs and give more babies.
There are currently two methods for artificial insemination: bull semen can be frozen to a temperature of -172 °C and may be stored indefinitely. However, pig semen must be diluted and stored liquid, and the storage capacity is only a few days. The window of opportunity for insemination is also limited. Striking the...
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Interaction effects of feeding Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 in weaned piglets
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To maintain optimal reproduction and throughput in a swine operation, a complete understanding of the operation and its productivity is required. Table 1 provides some key productivity indicators to use in maximizing throughput, along with suggested target values. Choosing which indicators to focus on depends on the individual operation. Most farms should verify that they have targeted an optimal weaning age, work toward increasing the average parity of the sow herd, and achieve two matings...
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Danish scientists have welcomed the first litter of pigs born to a transgenic clone used in the study of Alzheimer's disease
When the first transgenic cloned pigs were born in August 2007, using a revolutionary new cloning method developed at the Foulum Research Centre at the University of Aarhus, scientists were unsure if the technique had interfered with the natural physiology of the animals.
But now their concerns have been allayed as researchers welcomed...
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The average piglet weaning age in the United States declined from 28.8 days to 19.3 days between 1990 and 2000, according to USDA figures. Early weaning allowed the production of healthier, more uniform pigs and improved lifetime productivity of the sows by allowing a herd to market more pigs per year.
However, according to PigCHAMP summaries, weaning age has been creeping up for the last five years. This is in an effort to optimize overall reproductive efficiency. Maximum throughput...
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The use of artificial insemination (AI) on U.S. swine farms continues to increase and in the future, practically all commercial swine producers will employ this technology. To remain efficient, however, swine AI programs will necessitate management and nutritional strategies for enhancing semen production and fertility in boars. Several research groups have conducted studies to investigate the effects of supplemental selenium on reproductive characteristics of boars (Segerson et al....
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Absolute Swine Insemination Co., LLC (ASIC), a worldwide leader in swine intra-uterine insemination (IUI) technology, introduces Ibersan do Brasil as its new Brazilian distribution channel for the ASIC product line.
Ibersan do Brasil is a subsidiary of Ibersan Portugal and CCPA Groupe (France) . It started it's activities in 2008, and since then, it supplies Brazil's biggest players in swine market with...
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Crossbreeding is a widely accepted and recommended practice in commercial swine production. It is used to capitalize on heterosis, the superiority of crossbred individuals over the average of their purebred counterparts. An example of heterosis is shown in Figure 1. Crossbred performance may be more or less than the performance of the best purebred, depending on the breeds crossed. For there to be heterosis, crossbred performance must be above the average of the pure...
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A key recommendation from the gilt development strategy for the University of Alberta's Swine Research and Technology Centre was to breed gilts at 135 to 150 kg (298 to 331 lb) to reach at least 175 kg (386 lb) after farrowing.
Heavier gilts, is there a benefit? Sows usually mobilize tissue and lose some weight in lactation. But if too much weight is lost, performance will...
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Environmental temperatures above the zone of thermoneutrality (comfort zone) for swine are frequent in tropical and subtropical regions, and during the summer months in temperate regions. These warm environmental conditions do not usually result in death losses, but they can cause reduced growth performance in growing-finishing pigs and decreased reproduction in the breeding herd. Optimum temperatures for housed swine are shown in Table 1. In general, as the pig gets older and...
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Interaction effects of feeding Bacillus subtilis DSM 32315 in weaned piglets
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What is the optimum length of time a boar should be in stud? The answer to this question depends on who is being asked the question. There are typically two conflicting perspectives: that of the boar stud and that of the semen customer, commercial pig producer. The objective of this study was to develop a decision-tool that determines the optimum length of time a boar should be utilized in an AI...
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Hypor is pleased to announce its participation in the NSERC EmbryoGENE Research Network, whose goal is to develop diagnostic tools for evaluating embryonic development in pigs and cattle. The Network is funded by a number of major and minor partners including the Canadian Federal Government, and is based in Canada. The acronym GENE stands for Genomics, Epigenetics, Nutrition and Environment. Hypor is considered a major partner in the EmbryoGENE Research Network. The swine herd at...
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In examining data from a large database (Pig Champ® and Pig Champ, Inc., 2007) Dr. Flowers concluded that females are most likely to leave the herd during entry to first service and weaning-to-service after their first lactation. The situation with boars is somewhat different. Most boars in North America are replaced at 12-18 months after they enter production (Knox et al 2007). This relatively short usage period is related to the need to maximize genetic improvement and typically is...
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In general, as total litter size has increased, there has been a tendency for an increase in the percentage of piglets born dead. It is now quite common to see an average stillbirth rate of 1.0 piglets per litter, or even more, in data from individual farms and herd recording schemes. This presents an opportunity to improve Weaning Capacity by reducing the level of stillbirths through a sound genetic program and good management procedures. The Hypor genetic program includes selection for...
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The Absolute AMG™ Pipette trial was designed to test the effectiveness of Absolute Swine Insemination Co.’s (ASIC) AMG™ insemination pipette against the use of the current USA standard; Primatech’s traditional inseminating rod manufactured by Ray Chen of Ennchih (Taiwan). Unlike conventional rods that deposit semen into the cervix, the AMG™ pipette extends through the cervix and deposits semen directly into the uterus. Materials &...
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Sixteen gilts were used to study the effect of Vitamin E supplementation on the onset of puberty, the duration and the degree of expression of the oestrous cycle in gilts. There was no variation (P>0.05) on the time of attainment of first oestrus following supplementation. The duration of oestrus was also not significantly different (P>0.05) in the experimental groups with an average of 21 days in all the groups. Vocalization and restlessness of the sows, swelling and redness of the vulva were...
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