<t>If you can examine the semen with a phase-contrast microscope and assess the integrity of the acrosomes, you will have a pretty good idea of whether or not it will be fertile. Odds are it is still alive, but whether or not it is fertile may be another question. <br/> <br/> If it were my semen, an...

<t>The best heat-check boars are Chinese Meishan, or at least half-bloods. They have a much stronger level of pheromones and induce a stronger response from females in estrus. They also are smaller in size and easy to handle. One of my clients occasionally has half-bloods for sale, but none are curr...

Sounds great. See you there!

Good to see you on the forum kgb! Will you be at WPX this year?

<t>To be 99% or more sure of pregnancy, you would need to use a genuine ultrasound machine (one that displays an image, not just one that detects fluid and beeps). Using this type of machine with an abdominal probe, accuracy begins at day 22. Using a rectal probe, you can test at about day 17-18. <b...

<t>I respectfully disagree with the statement about conception not being any different with or without a boar present. That is a gross mistruth. While it is possible to impregnate sows without the presence of a boar, it is not nearly as effective in terms of conception rate or litter size. Small bre...

No. Not true.

He's getting it caught in the preputial diverticulum. Read your own post under the General Forum and my response. A vet can often times fix this.

Wow! Now rod is a grain market analyst as well as a little-known radio host!! I am impressed!!

Yes, I would advise full-feeding animals intended for breeding.

In that case I would breed her in July so that she farrows in early November, wean the pigs before the end of the month, and the sow should be in heat again and ready to breed for mid-late March pigs.

Good luck.

rod,

How about this one? Where is China getting their pork now? Have you got anything to report? Did "big porky" respond to their demand for ractopomine-free pork? I didn't see you mention that anywhere. What's the latest news?

<t>I agree with Piggy that you may get away with letting her go unbred, but sometimes those old gilts are difficult to get settled.<br/> <br/> If your gilt was born in Dec. you could breed her at 220-230 days of age (breeding in July) and get early November pigs. This assumes you have something to d...

<t>It would be a good idea to test the boar even though the source herd is PRRS negative. I can tell you countless stories of herds that were infected by a negative source simply because breeding stock left the herd going to new customers at the beginning of a PRRS break that had not yet been detect...

<t>Good topic, and I am aware that most of my preaching to hobby breeders about herd health falls on deaf ears. Simply put, most of them are willing to live with the consequences of being positive for rhinitis, myco., APP, mange, even PRRS rather than go through the rigorous testing and isolation to...