The Rural Voice, 1983-04, Page 23ANIMAL SCIENCE
Getting the most from your boar
by John Woodhouse, Fieldman, Ont. Swine A.I. Assoc.
One area of the breeding barn that
tends to be under -emphasized, except
when a crisis arises, is the boar pen.
Proper management of herd boars
should take precedence if you are going
to run an effective conception rate and
boar longevity.
The first step in this management is
proper introduction of the boar to your
herd, if he is from an outside source. If
you are concerned about mange, lice,
swine dysentry, haemophilus pneumo-
nia, parvo -virus, atrophic rhinitis,
T.G.E., lepto --- to name a few, then do
some investigating before making that
purchase.
Secondly, go about the introduction
in an organized manner. This means
you'll be purchasing that prospective
boar six to eight weeks before he is
actually needed. Quarantine or isolation
of the boar is recommended for four
weeks. The options you have during
this period may vary with the degree of
protection you want for the herd. A
blood test for diseases known to be
transmitted through seminal plasma or
titre levels on health -rooted bugs will
prove valuable if a problem can be
caught before the boar enters into the
herd. Many producers worm the boar
during this period to avoid bringing a
potential internal parasite problem into
the herd. Probably the best use of
mange control can be made during this
time frame. The animal should be
sprayed at least two times.
Any quarantined animal should be
looked after last thing during your daily
chore regime --- again to protect your
herd.
The vaccination program that your
herd is under must include the boar in
isolation. The earlier these are given
during quarantine, the better chance
immunities can be built up by the
animal. The integrity of breeders to tell
you if they have been having any
problems before selling you replace
ment seed stock should not be as-
sumed. So ask directly.
Don't expect your new, young boar to
become an overnight experienced
breeder. He doesn't necessarily know
everything about breeding when he
leaves the barn where he was born. You
will get boars with a wide range of
libido and sex education is your job.
The first three or four matings should
be supervised and the gilt in estrous
should be brought to the boar. It is
critical that the breeding pen be kept
clean and dry with good footing so
mating is not a hazard.
It has been proven that a hand -mating
system is a plus with regard to: (1)
litter size, (2) boar longevity and (3)
avoidance of harem selection.
The general rule of thumb is one herd
boar per 20 sows. This varies tremen-
dously due to management. Artificial
insemination is an excellent way to
supplement boar power.
MARTHEO
FARM
Purebred Yorkshire and Duroc
Boars
R.O.P. Tested, Gov't Health in-
spected.
Also a few Duroc Bred Gilts.
Contact:
Ted Schendera
R.R. #4 Denfield. Ont.
)5191 225-2734
NOW IS THE TIME
TO ORDER YOUR
SPRING REQUIREMENTS
• Mingo
• Oxford
BARLEY
• Bruce • Perth
OATS
• Elgin • Garry
• Herta
MIXED GRAIN
• Mingo/Elgin • Bruce/Elgin • Herta/Garry
SOYBEANS
• Maple Arrow • Maple Amber
WHITE BEANS
• Seafarer • Kentwood
CORN SEED
Check our Price Before you order.
Ryan Drying Ltd.
Brussels
887-9261
Walton
Seaforth
527-0527
THE RURAL vOICE, APRIL 1983 PG. 21