Impact of Pig Insemination Technique and Semen Preparation on Profitability

Both insemination technique and semen preparation had a non-linear effect on profit in this work at the University of Guelph. The difference between fresh and frozen semen amounted to less than three per cent in profitability.
calendar icon 8 January 2014
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Artificial insemination (AI) technique and semen preparation impact boar utilisation efficiency, genetic dissemination and biosecurity.

In a paper in Journal of Animal Science, D. Gonzalez-Peña and colleagues at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign explain that intrauterine (IUI) and deep intrauterine (DUI) AI techniques require lower number of spermatozoa per dose compared to conventional (CON) AI. Frozen semen (FRO) has been associated with lower reproductive performance than fresh semen (FRE) preparation.

The combined effects of three AI techniques (CON, IUI and DUI) and two semen preparations (FRE and FRO) on the financial indicators of a pig crossbreeding system were studied.

A three-tier system was simulated in ZPLAN and the genetic improvement in a representative scenario was characterised. The cross of nucleus lines B and A generated 200,000 BA sows at the multiplier level. The BA sows were inseminated (CON, IUI or DUI) with FRE or FRO from line C boars at the commercial level. Semen preparation and AI technique were represented by distinct sow:boar ratios in the C×BA cross. A range of farrowing rates (60 to 90 per cent) and litter sizes (eight to 14 liveborn pigs) were tested.

Genetic improvement per year for number born alive, adjusted 21-day litter weight, days to 113.5kg, backfat and average daily gain were 0.01 pigs per litter, 0.06kg, –0.09 days, –0.29mm and 0.88g, respectively.

On average, the net profit for FRE (FRO) increased (P<0.0001) from CON to IUI and DUI by 2.2 (3.2 per cent) and 2.6 per cent (4.0 per cent), respectively.

The differences in profit between techniques were driven by differences in costs. Differences in fixed costs between IUI and DUI relative to CON were –2.4 (–5.2 per cent) and –3.4 per cent (–7.4 per cent), respectively.

The differences in total costs between FRE and FRO were lower than –5.0 per cent.

The difference in variable costs between FRE and FRO ranged from –5.3 (CON) to –24.7 per cent (DUI).

Overall, concluded Gonzalez-Peña and co-authors, insemination technique and semen preparation had a non-linear effect on profit. The average relative difference in profit between FRE and FRO was less than three per cent for the scenarios studied.

Reference

Gonzalez-Peña D., R.V. Knox, J. Pettigrew and S.L. Rodriguez-Zas. 2014. Impact of pig insemination technique and semen preparation on profitability. J. Anim. Sci., 92(1):72-84. doi: 10.2527/jas.2013-6836

Further Reading

You can view the full paper by clicking here.

January 2014

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