Impact of the boar

A natural service boar sires approximately 900 piglets each year (2 sows per week, 80% farrowing rate and 11 pigs per litter).  The AI boar on the other hand sires approximately 4500 piglets each year (10 sows per week, 80% farrowing rate and 11 pigs per litter) and this number can be doubled using commercial semen from a stud.

What type of boar do you need?

Is the purpose of the service to generate slaughter generation and therefore meat lines and characteristics should predominate, or is the boar for future maternal lines, where teat number and litter size is important?

What should I look for in a boar?

Structurally sound

Good walking - avoid inadequate length of stride, stiff and lame boars

Even toe length

Good leg shape - avoid inadequate flexion of pastern or hocks

"A leg at each corner" avoid legs held forward

No known genetic abnormality

Semen producing capacity

This is related to testes size

Testes to be of even size

Normally developed

Secure - free swinging testes are more prone to damage

Boars for maternal lines

Check nipple spacing

Nipple prominence

Nipple placement on the abdomen

14 teats should be the minimum, more in Meishan lines

Offspring

Check for any congenital abnormality, not only at birth but throughout the life of the offspring

Check carcass confirmation fulfills requirements

Collection and service behaviour

During and after training review behaviour of the boar.  Always ensure that the health and safety of all staff is a paramount consideration.