If you intend to use PG600, it's much better to use it PRIOR to feeding Matrix, observe a heat cycle, and then feed Matrix for synchronization. Feeding Matrix to non-cycling animals can be quite detrimental.

<t>In a properly-run boar stud, semen is entering the lab at around 37C, is being evaluated and processed within a 5-minute window and therefore is being processed at around 33C - 35C. It is packaged immediately (in tubes, bottles or semen bags) and laid out in single layers in a cooler or cool room...

<r>Oh come on alterna! Sometimes going that extra mile is what it takes to get them bred! <E>:lol:</E> <br/> <br/> Regarding the absolute rods:<br/> <br/> The idea behind these is to perform an "intra-uterine" insemination. The balloon inside the catheter is supposed to weave it's way through the ce...

Yeah, and we save old ads from Seedstock Edge featuring young herd sire additions. We hang those ads in front of the gilt and sow pens to get them in the mood. They especialy like the rear-view photos.

Last I knew, Triple B used semen tubes. Not sure about Cedar Ridge. Either way, you don't need anything extra to attach to either of your catheters.

<r>You guys are funny! <E>:lol:</E> <br/> <br/> Commercial swine production uses 90-95% foam catheters, while hobby breeders and showpig producers use approximately 80-85% spiral catheters. I just don't understand why. They are more costly and they are less ideal of a breeding device (and certainly ...

Pheroboar is better.

<t>ter, you are exactly right.<br/> <br/> Providing maximum stimulation during and after the insemination is crucial to achieving a high farrowing rate and litter size. Allowing the sow to draw the semen with uterine contractions is far and away the best way to inseminate, and continuing those contr...

Estrumate is actually easier on the sow. Results are identical to lut. You might also check out the "generic" version of lut. called "In-sync". The advantage of lut and in-sync is that they are cheaper than estrumate.

<t>Good question!!<br/> <br/> The way the product works is this: <br/> <br/> It "changes phase" from liquid to solid (or vice versa) at 21C. Just as water changes at 0 degrees C from liquid to solid. When ThermoSperm is exosed to temperatures below 21C it expels energy to try to maintain a warmer te...

Best catheter for gilts is the "Classic Blue" foam catheter.

www.continentalplastic.com Product number S6-5125 or S6-5153 (with handle).

They are also a client of mine.

If you get black from a pure york x pure hamp, you have a non-pure york. Doesn't mean that your hamp was pure either, but the proof in this case is against the york.

<t>Did you try to intervene on day 115? <br/> <br/> It would seem to me that she was in labor, even if it wasn't apparent and that she finally was successful on day 118, but way too late. She probably just didn't try. Sorry to say, but we are talking about a hamp, and one with a litter of only three...

<t>I agree with Non-S. <br/> <br/> If it were me, I would start fresh with a cleaned, disinfected farm, DOCUMENTED healthy stock, and a bio-security program to restrict introduction of animals and people. There is nothing more frustrating than health/fertility issues. <br/> <br/> Start over and impl...

<t>I can't tell anything from the third set of pics, but the first two look as though they are no longer pregnant. Still showing some udder development on the second set, but not enough to convince me she is going to farrow at all. Looks more like a sow who lost her litter some time ago. I would gue...