Summer Infertility - Part 2 of 4 - Hygiene, Strategy, Boars and Semen Storage

By PIC. PIC have produced a number of informative publications to help producers manage the incidence of summer infertility. Part 2 of this series looks at service hygiene, service strategy and semen storage.

26 August 2007

3 minute read

Highlighted below are some of the main pointers to focus on to ensure the efficient use of AI during the summer months.

Service Hygiene

Where possible, consider serving at either end of the day when it’s cooler and ensure service holding areas for both the boar and sow are shaded

Service Stratergy

Maintaining a high standard of hygiene at all times is crucial, especially where sows have been wallowing to keep cool. Before insemination, check their vulvas are clean. Ensure your service area is clean, and store catheters and other equipment away from any dust and dirt.

Allow for hand washing facilities or wipes and/or use disposable gloves during service.

Boars

Boars If you’re using a natural service boar i.e chaser boar, they may be unwilling to work in hot and humid conditions and doing so can increase the risk of heat stress. As we do on our own PIC studs, consider working your boars earlier in the day when it’s cooler.

It is well known that hot temperatures can affect boar libido, and heat stress can reduce the viability of semen for up to 8 weeks post heat stress. Taking this into account it might be useful to consider replacing the use of chaser boars with AI over the summer period.

Semen Storage Maintaining

Semen Storage Maintaining the correct storage temperature of your AI doses is essential, 16 -18oC is ideal. Ensure your temperature controlled cabinet and/or fridge is kept clean and regularly maintained and avoid the exposure of the semen to direct sunlight.