Repeats
Not more than 10% of sows/gilts that are served should repeat. To get an
accurate measure of the level of repeats on a unit, recording systems should
record both repeats that are re-served as well as those that are culled.
Repeats can be broken down into two types, regular and irregular.
Regular repeats occur at 19-23, 40-44, 61-65 etc days after service and
irregular repeats occur at all other times.
Regular repeats normally constitute about two thirds of total repeats.
Causes of and remedies for the reduction of repeats will depend on whether it
is regular or irregular repeats that are exceptionally high.
Regular repeats
Regular repeats are frequently associated with service failure or boar
failure. The incidence of regular repeats will be reduced if the following
guidelines are followed:
a. Use only fertile boars (check history).
b. Use a boar chart so that each boar gets on average 12 services each
month.
c. Serve sows once on observation of heat and again 24 hours later.
d. Supervise all services and avoid stressing sows at and around
service.
e. Check for repeats thoroughly with boar on a daily basis.
f. Good clean lighting should be provided in the
dry sow area to aid heat detection.
g. Where AI is used ensure that semen is of good quality.
Irregular repeats
a. Vaccinate all gilts for SMEDI after 6 months of age and about 3 weeks
before service. Re-vaccinate sows 3 weeks before each subsequent service.
b. Reduce the incidence of vaginal discharges by:
- washing and disinfecting the service house floor weekly.
- Washing hands thoroughly before handling a sow using a lubricant (but not soap)
- Culling infected sows.
- Ensuring sows have an adequate supply of water.
- Treating boars every 6 weeks using intramammary antibiotic tubes.
c. If Leptospirosis is diagnosed by your vet then follow his advice for
its control.
d. Avoid stressing or moving sows in the first 21 days after
service.
e. Put lights in dry sow and service area on a timer so that sows are
kept at a constant 16 hours daylight.
