Successful artificial insemination programs must mimic the pig's natural mating behaviour. A mating program has been developed with the following constraints: 1. The boar is separated from the female until the point of courtship 2. Courtship is head to head 3. The sow must demonstrate standing reflex within 30 seconds of the beginning of courtship 4. The insemination is complete within 7 minutes of the start of courtship 5. The sow is continually exposed to a boar for 14 minutes from the beginning of courtship 6. The sow is undisturbed during the mating experience 7. High reproductive performance is achieved - a farrowing rate in excess of 82% 8. The system is inexpensive to adopt 9. That stockpeople enjoy the system and find the work rewarding.
展开▼
