You are seeing normal coat color combinations. Cross sows are red carriers. Simple Mendel genetics. Start of genetics learning is the story of Greg and his peas.

Reasons to buy from a live auction: multiple consignors, multiple breeds and genetics, instant delivery. If the goal is to add to your herd, bred animals can shorten the generation interval. Buying semen takes time to see results, prospect boar and gilts have limited guarantees and high fallout, buy...

Here are my suggestions: 1. Don't spend any more on sires or semen than you are prepared to lose. 2. Maintain bred in a slim or green condition. Way different than show condition. 3. Work with a local veterinarian for herd health and vaccination protocols. 4. Make sure your farrowing and nursery fac...

Website has this boar listed as a crossbred. Is he available to make registered litters?

Depends on the breed and line, but usually between 4 and 5 months. Tow weeks either way isn't uncommon.

Have heard of it happening. If they lived, you're lucky. Mostly the delayed ones are stillborns. Never completely finished farrowing, stillborns follow when they slough out. Depending on your use of meds, you can mask all the signs. Would recommend discussion with your vet on antibiotic treatment, t...

http://extension.psu.edu/animals/dairy/nutrition/forages/mycotoxins-nitrates-and-other-toxicity-problems/mold-and-mycotoxin-problems-in-livestock-feeding-1 article that covers different mycotoxins and their affects on different species. Also covers sampling procedures. State department of agricultur...

Spring Branch,
Where does the boar you picked up from Darin fit into your breeding program?

Need more details or history on your program. Not trying to be nosey, just tough to pinpoint. Here is a partial list of things that can affect litter size: gilt condition, genetics, semen quality, semen handling, boar age, insemination technique, insemination timing, heat detection, nutrition, feed ...

Your breeding program, your call. My philosophy is cross on cross on cross will just give you mutts. Selection pressure for vulva size and number born alive can help, but it takes time. Lots of ways to go, but if you can start with a foundation sow and keep daughters it stacks the deck in your favor...

The Stud and Heimer Hampshire's have some that they are pretty high on. Best advice us to check with astud that you feel comfortable working with and breed on.

Corn that was made into feed yesterday was still harvested in the fall. If it isn't tested for mycotoxins, there is a risk. Some breeds can come into estrus at a young age. Other scenario is you have an infection, swelling and lack of appetite pretty common symptoms. Recommend you check with your ve...

Never have used, don't like water in creep area. Seems counter productive to have leaking potential in the one area I'm trying to keep warm and dry. Depending on how you water the sows, this could be an option. http://www.farmerboyag.com/Stainless-Steel-Pipe-Nipple-42-for-SowPiglet Make sure you use...

Novartis is a manufacturer, not a disease. Good nursery programs may include some antibiotics, but always focus on clean, dry, warm environments. Lots of time mixing pigs from multiple sources can trigger disease. Best advice is to talk to your veterinarian and design a vaccination protocol for your...

Amen buckibri.