Providing a benchmark for boar studs

摘要

Artificial insemination (AI) is used by swine producers to increase economic and genetic efficiency. It has recently been estimated that 43% of all sows receive at least one dose of extended semen. AI has many advantages over natural matings, such as decreased on-farm boar populations. Boar:sow ratio recommendations are 1:20 for natural mating systems and 1:40-100 when semen is collected and extended. Fewer on-site boars allow producers to replace boar spaces with revenue-generating sows. With fewer boars purchased, producers and studs can afford to more rapidly turn paternal populations and thereby decrease genetic lag. Pooled semen allows heterospermic matings to be readily used. And less time is spent breeding animals; artificial insemination services are typically less than half the time length of a natural service.