FARM

MANAGEMENT

is the coordination and

planning of farm
activities
THE TYPES OF SWINE OPERATIONS ARE THE
FOLLOWING:

• Sow- weaner operation

• Finisher operation
• Farrow to finish operation
• Breeder operation
• Boar operation (A.I)
SOW- WEANER OPERATION

Weaners,20 to 25 kg liveweight
 SOW-WEANER OPERATION

requires less There is a

capital in building quicker turnover
requirements and
less operating
cash required
than the finisher
operation.
•the easiest type of operation to get
started with.
•Requires less capital for buildings and
equipment
•faster turnover, 100 – 120 days.
Disadvantages of Finisher Operation:

•difficulty in obtaining genetically superior

weaners

•inconsistency of supply of weaners

•the risk of bringing in diseases if weaners

are from different sources.
This is a combination of breeding, farrowing and
finisher operation.
•requires more capital for the
buildings and operating expenses

•require longer time to get into

full production: 15 to 17 months
without any appreciable income.

•A greater time and labor

commitment, and a need for more
exacting management of the unit
This is a farrow to finish operation, where
the goal is to produce breeding stocks.
CHAPTER 2

MANAGEMENT OF THE
BOARS
Boars are “half” the herd
therefore, his genetic
influence on the resulting
progeny is significant.
 ASSESSING BOAR BREEDING POTENTIAL

To be evaluated for reproductive soundness, boars should be at

least 7 ½ months of age. The evaluation should be completed
before the breeding period so problem boars can be identified and
culled. Boars should be evaluated on the following criteria.
MATING BEHAVIOR
MAY BE EVALUATED BY BRINGING A GILT IN STANDING HEAT
INTO THE BOAR'S PEN AND OBSERVING THE FOLLOWING:

1. Libido (mating drive)

Observe the boar's aggressiveness and
desire to mate. Boars may need assistance
through at least one mating experience.
 Mating
Observe the boar's ability to erect the penis and properly
enter the gilt. Examine the boar's penis for normal size and
condition. Penis abnormalities encountered occasionally
are:
(1) adhered or tied penis,
(2) limp penis,
(3) infantile penis, and
(4) coiling of the penis in the diverticulum.
These conditions may be heritable, and boars exhibiting these
problems should not be used to produce breeding stock.
 SEMEN
CHARACTERISTICS OF AVERAGE EJACULATES
Volume, ml. 150-200 (gel free)
Sperm concentration.200-300 M/ml
Motile sperm, 70 %
Morphologically normal sperm, 80 %
Color, Creamy white
 TEST MATING

To complete the soundness evaluation, two or three gilts

should be bred and carefully checked as to whether they return to
estrus within 4 weeks. Exposure to conditions or microorganisms
on the new farm may have produced temporary infertility. High
environmental temperatures, stress of transportation, illness,
lameness, or injuries causing high body temperature can alter
sperm motility and reduce fertility for up to 8 weeks.
 PHYSICAL SOUNDNESS

• Strong, correct feet

and legs
• Masculine in
appearance and
action
• Clearly visible and
CHECK THIS OUT well-developed
http://afs.ca.uky.edu/livestock/presentation/judging-swine#EVALUATING-STRUCTURE-scrotum
AND-SOUNDNESS
C. AGE

• Generally, boars
should be 4-6
months at the time
of selection
D.TRAITS TO OVERCOME DEFECTS IN THE
HERD

• Generally, boars
should be 4-6
months at the
time of selection
E. MAMMARY DEVELOPMENT

Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthepigsite.com%2Fgenetics-and-
reproduction%2Ffarrowing%2Fudder&psig=AOvVaw3z9NO2Ta2AZ4vu7mkzlFCa&ust=1599643380340000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0C
AIQjRxqFwoTCMDY16ie2esCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAK
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
• Transporting newly purchased boars
• Isolation / Quarantine
• Acclimatization
• Feeding
 TRANSPORTING NEWLY
PURCHASED BOAR
• Newly purchased boars
should be transported
with proper care.
• It should ensure
maximum safety to
minimize stress, injury
and diseases.
Many seedstock suppliers offer delivery service to their customers.
Regardless of who transports the boars. Proper care ensures
maximum animal performance minimizing stresses, injuries and
diseases. Any stress or diseases that cause extremes in body
temperature can lower fertility or even produce temporary sterility
which might last 6-8 weeks.
THEREFORE, CAREFULLY FOLLOW THESE SUGGESTIONS
WHEN TRANSPORTING NEWLY PURCHASED BOARS:

• Avoid shipping boars that have been fed within an hour or two before
loading.
• Provide a safe, well-built loading and unloading facility.
• Clean and sanitize the truck/trailer before transporting the boars.
• Provide a covered truck/trailer with suitable bedding (sand in summer,
straw in winter) and protection against weather.
• Use a divider when hauling unfamiliar boars in the same truck/ trailer
• Avoid harsh handling of animals while loading and unloading
 ISOLATION/QUARANTINE

• 30 DAYS
• feed & check at the end of the day
• no medicated feed
• observe signs of diseases
• deworm/vaccinate
 Newly-purchased boars should be isolated or quarantined in
a house separate from other animals (stocks), preferably in a large
pen if possible. A bigger area is needed for exercise. The boar
should remain in isolation for at least two weeks but integration or
acclimatization can start by exposing the boar to some dung or
faecal material from the service are one week and the weaner area
next.
 ACCLIMATIZATION OF BOARS

Some culled sows or finishing pigs may be placed

in a small adjacent pen where good nosing or contact
possibilities could be attained. This practice should last 3
to 4 weeks
 FOOTBATH TREATMENT.

Provided the board has not developed a severe corn on his heels or
grossly overgrown claws, the regular use of footbath will help to harden the
claw horn; once a week will be of great help. The foot bath should be of
adequate length and depth so that adult pigs can take several strides through it
and the solution reaches to just above the coronet. Boars should be left to
stand on clean, dry concrete for a few minutes before being returned to their
pens.
 FEEDING

• as a guideline: 2-2.5
kg/day with 14% CP and
3000 kcal DE/kg

• provide fresh water (8-20

liters/day)
 HEALTHCARE

Although the boar and sow are partners in the productive process, the
partnership is not equal one. Despite his importance to the herd, the boar is often
the most neglected animal in the unit.

Boars may be kept in pens that are too small or badly designed. Hygiene
can be poor in both his pen and service area, if separate. Boar nutrition has
received scant attention and he is frequently overlooked in health procedure such
as vaccination, mange and deworming treatments.
 AS A RULE OF THE THUMB, VACCINATION/DOSING OF ALL BOARS
SHOULD NOT BE DONE ON THE SAME DAY; TREATMENTS SHOULD BE
ROUTINARY, BUT STAGGERED IN CASE OF SIDE EFFECTS. THIS PREVENTS
ALL BOARS OFF-WORK ON THE SAME DAY.
Activity When
Deworming 3 to 4 times a year
Mange 3 to 4 times a year
Treatment (if one is using an ivermectin as dewormer, there is no need
Note:
to do mange treatment using ivermectin or another drug; 1. Revaccination for boars is
ivermectin is both for internal and external parasite)
done every 6 months
2. Blood testing for the disease
Vitamin ADE 1 to 2 times a month
Injection
enumerated above, at least one a
year (including sows), should be
Hog Cholera 6 months of Age done to monitor antibody level
Vaccine
(it will determine increase in
FMD Vaccine 6 ½ months of Age
Parvovirus 7 months of age
antibody level if it is due to field
Vaccine infection or vaccination.
Pseudorabies 7 months of Age
Vaccine
 FEEDING BOAR
The feed allowance for boar depends on its condition, which is largely influenced by the frequency of
service or semen collection. As such, the following is recommended:
2.0 kgs./day +/- kg. if thin or fat
This amount of feed is needed for body maintenance and semen production. Giving too much feed more
than the boar needs might lead to;
1. Obesity, resulting to laziness;
2. Poor libido, which means poor mating results and
3. Too heavy, effecting leg problem.
 BOAR TO SOW RATIO

The number of boars needed in a herd depends on the

number of productive sow including replacement gilts, age
of the boar, size of females and on the frequency of mating
in an single heat period. With multiple farrowing program.
A boar to sow ratio of 1:20-30 is generally recommended. But it is a
good practice to always have one reserve young boar for every 30
sows to take over the breeding work if the heard sire becomes
incapacitated. The cost of keeping an extra boar is substantially less
than the expenses of feed alone for sows that will not be bred because
of boar unavailability.
 If replacement stocks is to be obtained from
the farm, replace boars every 1.5-2 years. It is also
advisable to have boars of different age and sizes
 TABLE 2. SUGGESTED BOAR TO SOW RATIO
Number of services Number of Sows Number of Boars
Per heat period
1. Two services per sow per 15 sows or less One (1) boar, if boar is 12
heat period months or older

15-25 sows Two (2) boars, if boar is

less than 12 months
1. One service per heat 20 sows or less One (1) boar, if young boar
period and all gilts

30 sows or less One (1) boar, if b oar is 12

months or older
 REPRODUCTIVE PROBLEMS
ASSOCIATED WITH THE BOAR
Infertility in boar is caused by a number of factors.

Factors of Boar Infertility:

a. failure of sperm production,

b. production of abnormal sperm,
c. overuse of the boar,
d. physical abnormalities of the male genital tract which prevents the delivery of semen at
mating,
e. physical or psychological factors which prevent mating
f. and finally, infection of paternal origin which destroys the products of conception.
 Factors affecting normal sperm production:
a. genetic factors,
b. age (boar are not fertile until at least 5 months of age and semen quality declines
in old animals),
c. high body temperature (fever can cause poor semen quality and even aspermia),
d. high environmental temperatures and
e. infection of the testes and accessory sex glands. Those with ruptured penises also
cannot mate.
*Boars may be reluctant to mate of ill or if lame and some boars will not
mate for psychological reasons, This is particularly common in young boars.
Finally, infection with agents such as PRRS, leptospirosis and Brucella suis
and contamination from fecal or preputial organisms can cause death or the
products of conception.
 TABLE 3. STRUCTURE, FUNCTION AND POSSIBLE MALFUNCTIONS OF A BOAR
REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM
Structure Function(s) Possible Malfunctions
Testis (Testicle) Produces sperm in the • On or both smaller than average which results in low sperm output
seminiferous tubules; • Cryptorchidism (sterile or less fertile)
produces testosterone • Malformed sperms result to lowered sex drive
• Injury might result to lowered fertility
Scrotum Protects testis and • Injury might open testicle to infection
regulates temperature of • Failure of temperature regulation may decrease fertility, especially during hot
testis weather
Epididymis Sperm maturation, storage • Occlusion of duct (blocks sperm passage)
• Malfunction in metabolism might cause improper maturation or morphological
abnormalities.
• Over use of boar may not allow time for proper maturation.
• Infection
Urethra Passageway for urine and • Infection
semen • Occlusion (blockage)
Sigmoid Flexure Aids in erection • Failure to erect
Glans penis Semen delivery to cervix • Limp or infantile (very small penis)
• Tagged penis (patent frenulum)
• Injury
Anterior pituitary Produces LH and FSH • Low or no sperm
which act in regulating • Low libido or sex drive
sperm and testosterone • Improper environment in seminiferous tubule or epididymis for proper storage
 CHAPTER 3:
MANAGEMENT OF THE SOW
AND GILT
 PRIOR TO PREGNANCY

A successful swine operation whether small or large scale

depends greatly on the proper care and management of dry
sow. Low conception rate, slim litter size at birth or weaning,
abortions and impaired reproduction, to mention a few, are
problems which occur as a result of faulty management
practices.
1.Always keep the sow in good health and condition.
2.The general recommendation is to keep the lactation period
not longer than 6 weeks.
3.Do not feed the sow on the day of the weaning.
4.Expose weaned sows to the boar

5.If sows do not come into heat within 10 days, hormonal

injection could be given to induce heat occurrence
1.Old sow of parity eight and above tend to have long
dry periods.
2.Keep sows as cool as possible during summer.
3.Check dry sows for heat occurrence twice a day.
4.Observe the right time of breeding.
5.Breed only good sows and cull bad sows immediately.
MANAGEMENT OF BREEDING TIME
In order to limit the number of dry, unproductive days, we must have the
sow served as soon as possible. This can only be achieved if the sow is in heat.
However, some sows will come in heat during the first few days of lactation
but they will rarely conceive if bred at this time for the reason that they fail t
ovulate. As mention, sows will come in heat 3-10 days with an average of
about seven days after weaning.
HEAT PERIOD

The heat period or estrus is the time during which

the sow will accepts the boar, it lasts 1-5 days with an
average of 2-3 days. Older sows generally remain in
heat longer that gilts. If not bred, the heat cycle
normally occurs at an interval of 16-25 days with an
average of 21 days.
SIGNS OF HEAT

Swelling and
reddening of
the vulva
Appearance of
mucous discharge
from the vagina
Grunting and
restlessness
Mounting her penmate
(if in group)
irrespective of sex or
allowing herself to be
mounted.
Frequent attempts to
urinate with little or
no discharge
particularly in the
presence of a boar
Assumes a stationary
attitude called the
“mating stance”
when touched even
on the back either by
a boar or a caretaker.
TECHNIQUES FOR HEAT DETECTION:

Haunch Pressure Test

Approach the animal from behind and
apply pressure on her sides with both
hands. If she is receptive, she will just
stand firm and rigid, ready to be
served.
Riding-the-back-Test
Ride on or press the back or loin of
the female. Just like in the first
method, the sexually receptive
female will stand firm and rigid,
ready to be served.
Semen-on-the-snout
Squeeze old semen sample in a squeeze
bottle on the snout of the female. With the
boar’s smell in the semen, she will just
stand firm and rigid, ready to be served.
The Teaser Method
A vasectomised boar is the animal
to use in this method. Allow the
boar to mount the sow. If the sow
doesn’t run away but stands firm
and remains rigid with cocked ears
and willingly submits herself to
the caprices of the male, she is
sexually receptive.
Insemination: from heat to piglet
a) Do not breed gilts on 1st estrus
b) Start breeding gilts at age of 7
½ to 8 months at 130-150 kg
c) Flush two weeks before
breeding

* Breed gilts/sow on the 2nd estrus

cycle and 2nd day of the estrus period
* flushing- feeding gilts with high-
energy ration before breeding
Gilts need adequate feed for
longer productive life

a) 3-4kg of feeds for 2 weeks

before breeding
b)3000 – 3200 kcal DE
MANAGEMENT OF DRY SOW
Aim for short dry period!
DRY PERIOD
IS THE TIME INTERVAL FROM WEANING TO SERVICE WHEREIN THE
SOW IS UNPRODUCTIVE.
DRY SOWS
 bring on the
heat!!
 DRY SOW MANAGEMENT

✓ day of
weaning

➢ no feeds
➢ plenty of
water
 DRY SOW MANAGEMENT
Day Activities
0 weaning no feeds, plenty of water
✓ 1-10 days flushing until start of heat
✓ group housing with gilts and dry sows
✓ boar exposure
✓ Heat check 2x/day , mate/inseminate
Note: Inject hormone if at 10 days not in
heat
POINTS TO CONSIDER
✓Always keep sow in good health condition
✓Keep the lactation not longer that 6 weeks
✓Do not feed the sow on the day of weaning
✓Expose weaned sow to the boar
✓If the sow does not come into heat 10-12 days after
weaning, hormone injection can be used as a last resort
✓Old sows (parity 8 and above) tend to have a longer dry
period
POINTS TO CONSIDER
✓Keep sow as cool as possible during summer
✓Check dry sows for heat occurrence twice a day
✓Observe the right timing of breeding
✓Breed only good sows and cull bad sows immediately
✓After weaning, let the newly weaned sows roam around in a
paddock
✓Provide adequate shade during summer months
✓Clean and disinfect the sow pen
Management of Pregnant Sow

Gestation: a full belly

 GESTATION
• Gestation period is the long period starting with
breeding and ending with farrowing, 114 days
later, provided the sow is pregnant. On the other
hand, extremes of 98 to124 days have been
reported.
PREGNANCY CONTROL

In order to be sure the sow has become pregnant, we have to

watch her closely during the days around 3 weeks, and again after
6weeks after she was bred. If the sow does not come in heat
during those days, we can assume that she is indeed pregnant.
This pregnancy control is in fact nothing but heat detection.
THE ADVANTAGES OF EARLY PREGNANCY
DETECTION IN SOWS AND GILTS ARE:
1. It makes possible to cull or rebreed non-pregnant, feed wasting female,
2. It allows closer grouping of a number of sows for a farrowing period,
3. It gives early warning of breeding troubles, such as infantile boars and
cystic ovaries and
4. 4, it enables the producer to make more effective use of his breeding
facilities and to plan more adequately for farrowing, nursing and finishing.
MANAGEMENT OF PREGNANT SOW

Gestation takes a
relatively long
time and many
people think it
requires little
attention.
 If manage well sows will:
• Farrow as schedule producing large litter
• Quickly return to heat
• Reduce number of empty and culls
 PREGNANT SOW MANAGEMENT
Day Activities
0 mating/insemination
21 first heat check
42 second heat check
84 Steaming (increase feed)
85 -100 Vaccinations
100 deworming/demange
111 decrease feed
114 expected farrowing date
METHODS OF PREGNANCY DIAGNOSIS

Records External
signs

Scanner
Ultrasound
Pregnancy Control

A good recording
system signal which
group of sows are
due to return.
Day Activities

84 increase feed allowance

100 first mange treatment
104 deworming
107 second mange treatment
111 decrease feed gift
114 expected farrowing date
PREPARATIONS FOR FARROWING

In most commercial scale operations, pregnant gilts

or sow are moved from gestating house to the farrowing
house. This is usually done one week before the expected
farrowing date to allow sufficient time for a sow to adjust
to the new environment. In this way, they will be more
relaxed at farrowing time.
PREPARING THE SOW

Before being moved into the farrowing house, the

sow should be thoroughly scrubbed with soap and water,
especially in the region of the sides, udder, and under
surface of the body. This removes adhering parasite eggs
and bacteria that are potential diarrhea-causing agents.
 PREPARING THE FARROWING PENS

The farrowing units should be thoroughly cleaned to reduce infection. If

possible, the unit should be cleaned completely, disinfected and left unused for 5-7
days. When this is not practical, the individual pen or crate should be cleaned and
disinfected before a new sow is placed. Cleaning can be accomplished by scraping,
high pressure cleaners, steam cleaners and/or stiff scrub brush. A complete job is
necessary, otherwise the use of a disinfectant is futile. Many good commercial
disinfectants are available including the quaternary ammonium compounds,
iodophor compounds and lye.
 OTHER THING YOU SHOULD PRACTICE BEFORE FARROWING:

• Restricted feeding of sow during pregnancy improves reproductive performances

• Sow should be in thrifty body condition, not fatty
• Fatty sows are prone to farrowing difficulties. Slow farrowing and heat stress
• Flushing of gilt or sow will increase litter size because of the release being released
• Sow should be routinely dewormed ( 3 days before entry into the farrowing pen)

• Vaccination should also be followed.

 MANAGEMENT DURING FARROWING
⚫ It should be done in warm, dust-free, clean and disinfected pen
⚫ Normally, a sow farrows in 20-40 minutes, although some takes 5 hrs.
⚫ Longer farrowing time increases the no. of death piglet
⚫ One person should assist during farrowing, however, mother should not be
disturbed if normal farrowing
⚫ Farrowing difficulties are: Uterine inertia (Uterus does not have strength to
contract and push piglets out) and fetal malpresentation
⚫ If such difficulties occur assist in the process
83

MANAGEMENT OF
SOWS AT FARROWING
The sow is due to farrow if signs like restlessness,
nest- building, frequent urination with dry and hard
fecal matter, swollen vulva with mucus discharge,
and milk let down are observed
• duration of parturition ranges from 1-12
hours

• Interval between piglet should be no longer

than 15 minutes

• Special attention should be given to the sow

while allowing it to farrow by itself
• Normally, the expulsion of placenta is an indication
that the farrowing process is already done

• Observe for any feverish condition after giving birth

• Sows seldom require assistance while farrowing , unless you observe the
farrowing:

✓ restlessness
✓ excessive straining
✓ the time between piglet interval is 30
minutes
May have more farrowing problem
Lactating Sows and Piglets
CARE OF LACTATING SOWS

Lavage sows

✓herbal decoction of guava leaves given 2-3

consecutive days after farrowing
CARE OF LACTATING SOWS

• Check water supply

• Avoid bathing the sow together with

the piglets
 Lactation Failure: Agalactia

• Failure of a sow to produce or release milk

• Caused by mammary infection (mastitis), genetics,
improper nutrition, dehydration and stressful
conditions
LACTATION FAILURE: AGALACTIA

• Based on studies, temperature > 30 °C reduces

feed intake and disrupt hormonal function of a
sow
• Reduced feed intake causes imbalance of
nutrients needed to produce milk
LACTATION FAILURE: AGALACTIA

• Hormonal disruption affects reproductive function such as return- to estrus cycle

• Common in 1st parity sow and in sows that are thin or below ideal weigth.
WHAT CAN BE DONE?

• Feed the animals with proper amount of feeds

• During summer, avoid feeding the sow during mid-day

• Provide continuous or ad libitum water (sow should drink 30L of water per day)
WHAT CAN WE DONE?

• Adjust management procedures such as use of fans and curtain

• If infection is involved (mastitis or metritis) antibiotic may be given to the sow.
•Avoid stress, rough handling or disturbance to
sows on the first 3 to 4 weeks after service

•Avoid excessive loss of condition during

lactation period

•If possible, practice batch weaning

• Assign a well- trained
caretaker in the breeding
unit

• Flush newly weaned sows

until 1st service or up to 10
days from weaning
Thank you!
MANAGING
DIFFERENT CLASSES
OF PIGS
MANAGEMENT OF BOARS
Boars are “half” the herd
therefore, his genetic
influence on the resulting
progeny is significant.
POINTERS THAT CAN BE CONSIDERED IN THE
SELECTION OF A BOAR

a. Performance
b. Physical soundness
c. Age
d. Traits to overcome defects
in herd
e. Mammary development
A. PERFORMANCE

• Backfat thickness
• growth rate or ADG
and
• feed conversion
efficiency
B. PHYSICAL SOUNDNESS

• Strong, correct
feet and legs
• Masculine in
appearance and
action
• Clearly visible
and well-
developed
CHECK THIS OUT scrotum
http://afs.ca.uky.edu/livestock/presentation/judging-swine#EVALUATING-STRUCTURE-
AND-SOUNDNESS
C. AGE

• Generally, boars
should be 4-6
months at the time
of selection
D.TRAITS TO OVERCOME DEFECTS IN THE
HERD

• Generally, boars
should be 4-6
months at the
time of selection
E. MAMMARY DEVELOPMENT

Source: https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fthepigsite.com%2Fgenetics-and-
reproduction%2Ffarrowing%2Fudder&psig=AOvVaw3z9NO2Ta2AZ4vu7mkzlFCa&ust=1599643380340000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0C
AIQjRxqFwoTCMDY16ie2esCFQAAAAAdAAAAABAK
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS
• Transporting newly
purchased boars
• Isolation / Quarantine
• Acclimatization
• Feeding
 TRANSPORTING NEWLY
PURCHASED BOAR
• Newly purchased boars
should be transported
with proper care.
• It should ensure
maximum safety to
minimize stress, injury
and diseases.
 ISOLATION/QUARANTINE

• 30 DAYS
• feed & check at the end of the day
• no medicated feed
• observe signs of diseases
• deworm/vaccinate
 FEEDING
• as a guideline: 2-2.5 kg/day
with 14% CP and 3000 kcal
DE/kg

• provide fresh water (8-20

liters/day)