INTRODUCITION TO Al AND TRAINING OF BOARS

Welcome to Module 1
Introduction to AI and Training of Boars

The swine industry adopted artificial insemination (AI) at a slower pace compared to the dairy
industry. However, this has changed! The industry began to re-examine and realized the importance
of AI as a breeding method. In fact, about 70% of the local large-scale pig farms and 30% of the
backyard farmers are now using AI.

Like any other technology, AI has its own strengths and weaknesses. Skills and practice
are necessary to properly apply the technology to maximize its potential.

Training of boars for AI operation is another process that requires skills. Each boar is
unique. Some boars are easy to train while others require extra efforts from the
technician for them to get used to AI. In terms of age, boars less than 6 months old are
harder to train than older ones.
At the end of this module, you would be able to:

1. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of AI;

2. Differentiate the ways of implementing AI in your farm;

3. Discuss the importance of a well-trained boar; and apply the techniques in training

Advantages and Limitations of Using AI

Before you learn the techniques of AI, you have to know first why this technology is useful to your
piggery business. Here are the advantages and limitations of using the AI method of breeding

ADVANTAGES

Lesson 1

Boar Replacement

 You can choose the "best" boar to breed your gilts or sows. Compared to natural mating, AI allows
you to extend the boar semen and make several doses out of a single ejaculate during periods of
peak boar usage. So, you can have batch farrowing (sows are grouped to allow mating and
forrowing to occur at distinct intervals) and weaning as a system of production.

In small herds, instead of farrowing at weekly intervals, sows will farrow in batches and the entire
group can be weaned on the same day. This provides an age break between groups of pigs which
disrupts the spread of infection from older to younger pigs. This is further enhanced by allowing the
farrowing room to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected between batches of sows.

Disease Control

  Fewer diseases are transmissible through AI than natural mating. AI stud boars are subject
to stricter health monitoring than boars for natural mating. Greater reliance on AI means fewer
purchases of stock boars, hence there is reduced likelihood of disease introduction.

Breeding Stock Improvement. 

With the availability of AI boars, you can experiment with the different terminal sires ( is a boar use
for production of good slaughter pigs) to assess their effect on growth rate, carcass grading and
other production parameters. AI allows you to maximize the genetic potentials of the different breeds
for improved production. Pedigree ( is and offspring ) breeders and breeding companies have access
to top sires for their genetic improvement programs.

On the other hand, AI has also limitations:

 It needs a properly trained technician ( There are several factors affecting the heat
period of gilts and sows. But the success of insemination depends also on the skills of the
technician or breederman.)

 There is difficulty in storing diluted boar semen(An extended semen can be stored for
a minimum of 2 days to a maximum of 14 days, depending on the extender used.) over a
prolonged period.
  There are additional costs for equipment and laboratory chemicals ( Such costs
comprise 40% of the total investment. )
 SUMMARY

 In this lesson, you have learned the advantages and disadvantages of the AI technology.
The advantages of using AI as a breeding method include: 1) boar replacement; 2) disease
control, and 3) breeding stock improvement.

 Its disadvantages, on the other hand are: 1) there is a need for a skilled technician to make it
successful; 2) difficulty in storing extended semen for a long period; and 3) additional costs
for laboratory equipment and materials.

 Boar Replacement

Disease Control

Breed Stock Improvement

There is a need for a skilled technician

Difficulty in storing extended semen for a long period

Lesson 2

Ways of Implementing AI

AI can be implemented in your farm in 3 ways. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.
The following are the ways to implement AI in your farm.

 Do-it-yourself (DIY)
o In this method, you have to buy semen doses from a supplier. You will do heat
detection, transport and handling, insemination and recording. It is recommended
that to make the operation successful, you must first have knowledge and skills on
heat detection, handling and storage, and actual insemination. You do not need to
 maintain a boar, thus there will be no costs for feeds, biologics, labor and utilities.

 On-Farm AI
o For breeder farms or big commercial farms, it is recommended that an on-
farm AI should be done for a good breeding program.

o In this operation, you will select and collect semen from the boar. Then
you will process the collected semen and inseminate into the animal. The
whole AI procedure is performed within the farm. However, this is
expensive since you have to maintain the boar.

 Commercial AI
 o Here, you will order semen doses from an AI Breeding Center. The technician of
the breeding center will then collect, process, transport the semen doses and
inseminate your sows.

Lesson 3

Introduction

The training of boars normally starts at around 6 1/2 to 7 months of age. Younger than this age,
boars are quite difficult to train.

Boars for training are housed individually. In some farms, a dummy is brought inside the pen. It is a
common practice that boars are trained in the same place because boars perform better inside their
own territory.

 However, this is more laborious because you have to bring a movable dummy in and out of the pen.
If there is a collecting pen, it is wise to train the boar there. It is less laborious, spacious and more
hygienic.

Collecting pen Boars are trained to get used to the dummy sow.

Boars should be trained for AI. In doing so, you have to follow these steps:

1. Transfer the boar to a collecting pen where the dummy is located.

2. Observe outside the pen and wait until he mounts the dummy, that is, if the boar
is willing to do so. The boar normally plays around the dummy before mounting.
3. Once the boar mounts, you should be ready for collection.
4. Avoid rushing the boar. Wait until it is finished and satisfied.

IF THE BOAR DOES NOT MOUNT IMMEDIATELY, you can try some these options:
 1. Introduce the boar to the dummy sow preferably immediately after another boar
has already worked on it. Majority of young boars will show great interest in the
dummy sow, and investigate it carefully. After a few minutes, they will usually
mount the dummy. Make sure that the boar is not hurt in any way during the first
collection.

2. If a young boar fails to mount the dummy sow after 15-20 minutes, return him to
his pen, and try again the next day. Housing the boar next to the collecting pen
can provide additional stimulation.

3. Wet the dummy sow with the urine of a sow in heat or semen from another boar.

4. Allow the boar to mount an in-heat sow or gilt, and collect semen. After 4 to 7
days, repeat the procedure in training. This time, let the boar mount
without serving. Instead, lift the boar onto the dummy sow.

5. Manually stimulate the penis of the boar near the dummy.

Remember!

 Boars differ in characteristics and attitude. The same is true among different
breeds.
 Always check semen quality and quantity.
 Check for any abnormalities like small testicles and insufficient erection.
 It is a good AI boar if mounting behavior is exhibited after three consecutive
trainings.
 How many months should the boars be when they start training?

Select the best answer then click SUBMIT ANSWER

6 1/2-7 months

3 months

10 months

n this module, you have learned the advantages and disadvantages of AI, ways of implementing AI
in your farm, and training of boars.

Let us refresh your mind on these topics! Click on the lesson titles to review. Then go directly to the
end of module test.

LESSON 1
Advantages and Disadvantages of AI

1. boar replacement - you can easily choose which boar you could use in your farm for good
production results.
2. introduction of diseases to the herd can be controlled.
3. good genetic characteristics of boars can be maximized.

LESSON 2

Ways of Implementing AI

1. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) - farmer buys semen doses from a supplier, then does heat detection
and insemination, handling and transport, storage and recording.
2. On-Farm AI - recommended for breeder farms and big farms and everything is done inside
the farm. AI boars are maintained for own breeding purposes.
3. Commercial AI - farmer orders semen doses from an AI breeding center, and the center's
technician will do the AI process, including insemination

LESSON 3

Training of Boars

1. Transfer the boar to the collecting pen where the dummy is located.
2. Observe outside the pen and wait until he mounts the dummy - if he is willing to do it. The
boar normally plays around the dummy before mounting.
3. Once the boar mounts, the collector should be ready.
4. Avoid rushing the boar, wait until it is finished and satisfied.

EOM TEST 1

1. The primary reason why swine raisers go into artificial insemination is:

faster genetic improvement

handling of boars during transport

disease control

2. Some farmers are reluctant to practice artificial insemination due to:

farmers' belief that AI results in low litter size

faster transmission of diseases

 additional costs for AI equipment and laboratory supplies

3. A system of AI where a farmer buys semen and does heat detection and
insemination is called:

commercial AI

do-it-yourself AI

on-farm AI

4. A farmer buys semen from an AI breeding center and insemination is done by the center's
technician, this system is called:

do-it-yourself

on-farm AI

commercial AI

5. The training of boars starts at the age of:

8 months old

5 months old

6 1/2-7 months old

6. The key word in boar training is:

consistency

patience
 practice

7. Spread of infection is faster in artificial insemination than in natural mating.

false

true

8. Very young boars are difficult to train for AI.

false

true

9. When the boar does not mount immediately, what will you do? (2 points)

wet the dummy sow with the sow's urine

allow the boar to play around the dummy sow

introduce the boar to the dummy sow immediately after another boar has worked on it