title: Management factors associated with farrowing rate in commercial sow herds in Ontario.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to determine associations between low farrowing rate and various management factors in sow herds. In 30 sow herds, a management survey, breeding observations, semen evaluation, and semen storage temperature monitoring were completed. Herds with an average farrowing rate of < 85% were classified as low farrowing rate herds while those with an average farrowing rate of > or = 85% were classified as good farrowing rate herds. Low farrowing rate herds were more likely than good farrowing rate herds to move boars into gilt pens for estrus detection, breed a high proportion of sows by artificial insemination (AI) only, start heat detection 3 d post-weaning, wipe the vulva prior to breeding, and use "hands-free" AI devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario N1G 2W1. youngbet@missouri.edu
authors.forename: Beth
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Young
authors.forename: Catherine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Dewey
authors.forename: Robert M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Friendship
mesh_terms: D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D004972:Estrus Detection; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology; D006799:Housing, Animal / Q000592:standards; D007315:Insemination, Artificial / Q000662:veterinary*; D007774:Lactation / Q000502:physiology; D009864:Ontario; D011247:Pregnancy; D013552:Swine / Q000502:physiology*; D014886:Weaning