Do the crates have floors or are they used in a pen? Both choices have drawbacks. Heat lamp over bare concrete area or a woven floor is usually sufficient.

One to try is anything with hot peppers in it. I personally like Frank's red hot, Grandma told me what to put it on. https://youtu.be/nydDJ5szgKw

You're doing the right things, she may conceive. Lots of good sows look thin, but breed right back. Use the gestation period to gain back condition without being over weight.

My thoughts on the questions. It's possible. Maybe. No. Yes. How did the semen get old if you weaned her? Sounds like you should have split the shipment. Wean on Monday or Thursday and order semen from the next collection. Ensures freshest possible semen when you are trying to rebreed sows. Also may...

Things to look at: 1. May be coming into first heat cycle. Have seen different responses, usually appetite returns in a week. 2. Check water consumption. If it gets too cold or freezes, it may limit water intake. Feed consumption is directly related to water intake. 3. Other possible, but rare items...

Carbadox was pulled from the market. Info is here: http://www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm494934.htm On the other question, the answer is probably not. You may have VFD approval, but it isn't made in small batches. If the other producers don't have VFD approval, the feed rots i...

The article below is an interesting read. Things that jump out to me are the record keeping, attention to detail, and staff that make things happen. Following the math, the 'small' unit probably farrows 15 litters daily and weans 1200 pigs weekly. http://www.agriculture.com/news/livestock/meet-the-w...

Just remember the good ones breed AI every time. Trust your program.

At my place they get the name 'wheels'. No shame in it, they have to show heat to fit the program. Make great sausage.

Have never heard of anyone using this for pigs. Seems to be another way to take some money. With the reproductive traits being low heritability, I'm sort of on the plan that estrous detection, conception, follow up, and a tone or scan should be sufficient. Follow up with litter notes. My preference ...

I'd skip the AI, it seems good money after bad. Would double check notes and who checked heat on Halloween, she's right on schedule if not bred. One option is to find someone with an ultrasound, a little past ideal, but a proper tech should be able to see something if she is pregnant. Second scenari...

May have to do a good old fashioned phone call, leave a message and wait for a reply. August pigs are probably not born yet. 712-526-2802 (home) or 402- 669-2114 (cell).

Good thing on the milk, means she is ready. Best advice is to follow the instructions from your vet.

It happens, usually seller has a mail or phone bid, sometimes they are just protecting them. Several folks use a ring man, auctioneer, or an associate to handle. Same process, but the seller isn't seen raising his hand.

http://frontlinegenetics.net/boars/ looks to be relatively new boar, would recommend calling for more info.