Breeding for only 1 litter per year: Bad idea?

Breeding questions, sow talk, semen management, baby pig basics
Post Reply
JTESLK
Newbie
Newbie
Posts: 4
Joined: Wed May 04, 2016 12:17 am

Breeding for only 1 litter per year: Bad idea?

Post by JTESLK » Mon Apr 06, 2020 1:35 am

This is our first year breeding pigs and we just had two litters from our first time gilts. We want to focus on breeding for our fall show but some people are telling us we need to breed them at least twice a year. Would we run into fertility issues if we only breed for our fall fair each year? Off season breeding would only mean a loss of money. What are your thoughts?

mict71
Showpig Specialist
Showpig Specialist
Posts: 145
Joined: Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:47 am
Location: Wisconsin

Re: Breeding for only 1 litter per year: Bad idea?

Post by mict71 » Wed Apr 08, 2020 7:27 pm

In my opinion i would find some cheap semen and make a batch of feeders to sell. When you leave a sow open all summer they tend to put on extra weight. They are also harder to find in heat when you want to breed them. It also sometimes reduces the litter size of her next litter. To me it is better to make some cheap feeders than leave them open all summer.

User avatar
colored_pigs
Showpig Specialist
Showpig Specialist
Posts: 155
Joined: Thu Jun 24, 2010 7:00 pm
Location: Colorado

Re: Breeding for only 1 litter per year: Bad idea?

Post by colored_pigs » Tue Nov 24, 2020 9:54 pm

Late response but. Leaving them open causes them to release eggs each cycle. If you keep them bred they retain those eggs. I feel it keeps the sows productive longer. I agree keeps it easier to bred. When you have open for fewer days

Post Reply