Skip the NI Direct Bar
Skip navigation

AI in pigs

Advantages

  • Access to top quality boars at minimal health risk
  • Overcoming peak service problems following batch weaning
  • Take advantage of multi-mating regimes (boar + AI, or pooled semen matings)
  • Replacement for natural service should the stock boar become unavailable
  • Avoid boar size problems (eg, heavy boars on gilts, young boars on adult sows)
  • AI can be cheaper than natural service when the full cost of boars is included
  • Reduction on capital expenditure on boars and boar housing
  • Saving in feed costs
  • Work in the service area is less physically demanding.

Disadvantages

  • There are greater risks of error than with natural service in collection, processing, transport and storage of semen
  • A higher degree of inseminator skill/expertise is required than for natural service

Selecting sows and gilts for insemination

When selecting sows and gilts for insemination, a number of factors need to be considered.
  • Production of replacement gilts – Use AI on gilts and first litter sows to take full advantage of quick generation turnover.
  • Age at first mating –Gilts should have had at least one heat and be more than 180 days old before insemination, to obtain the best results. MLC data show that there is very little difference in farrowing rated from AI between gilts and sows.
  • Batch weaning - Where sows are weaned in batches, semen can be ordered in advance, so its arrival on the farm can be timed to coincide with animals coming into heat between 4 and 6 days after weaning. This reduces costs, improves management and allows semen to be used at the optimum time in heat for good fertility.
  • Mating type –Whether the sow is Grandparent (GP) or crossbred (F!) will determine the type of semen to be used.
  • Semen type - Two types of semen are available:
           1/ Pure semen– (Semen from one boar per bottle) This should be used for the production of replacement stock.
           2/ Pooled semen – (Semen from 2 or 3 boars of the same breed in one bottle) This is recommended for the                             production of slaughter generation pigs because of the improved fertility associated with its use.
  • Number of inseminations per heat – Pigs are normally inseminated twice per heat. However some producers inseminate 3 times, where they believe the improvement in fertility obtained outweighs the cost of the extra bottle of semen.
  • Combining natural service and AI – Use of natural service and AI in the same heat is recommended for slaughter pig production where high fertility results are essential. When used in this way, AI allows your own boars to be used much more effectively

Ways of using AI

Uses - For replacement gilt production
Mating type - Pure semen (2 or 3 AIs per heat)
Uses - For slaughter pig production
Mating type: Pooled semen (2 or 3 AIs per heat) or Natural service + AI (2 or 3 matings per heat)

STORING SEMEN

Semen viability is adversely affected by extremes of temperature and by light. Bottles should be stored at room temperature (15ºC to 20ºC, 59ºF to 68ºF) and in dark conditions. Aim for 17ºC (±1ºC)
Normally semen is delivered in polystyrene containers and should be kept in them until needed. It is good practice to use a thermometer to monitor storage temperatures. Climate boxes, which keep the semen in an optimum environment may be useful on medium sized units, while larger Temperature controlled cabinets with larger capacity, are also available.
For more information on and availability of Climate boxes or Thermocabinets within N Ireland, contact:
Raymond & Charlie Pogue, Dungannon (01861 548356)
Tim Herdman, Armagh (01861 548647)
The expiry date given on each bottle normally allows for a 5 day life. However, as there may be some reduction in fertility, from certain boars after 3 days, a shorter life is shown.
Semen bottles/sachets should be inverted gently at least twice da

Remember:

  • Do not put semen in a refrigerator
  • Do not re-open the container until the next bottle is needed
  • 5day semen life does not give necessarily give 5 day life at the same fertility

Detecting heat and timing the insemination

The chart below shows the key points to observe to ensure the correct time of insemination.
Heat detection is most effective about ½ hour after feeding
(Standing to back pressure – "The Pigman’s Test")
Nose to Nose contact is most effective
Detect heat 2 x daily Use 'Boar Mate' if no boar is available