Vle CONG. INTERN. REPROD. ANIM. INSEM. ARTIF., PARIS, 1968, VOL. Il

DEVELOPMENTS IN THE USE OF PIG
ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION BY THE FARMER

D.R. MELROSE, H.C.B. REED and J.H., PRATT

Pig Industry Development Authority, Pig Breeding Centre,
Selby, Yorkshire, England

Holt (1959) and Madden (1959) reported disappointing results with
pig A.I. in Great Britain, and emphasised the difficulties in detecting
oestrus accurately. However, farrowing rates improved steadily since
then and in the year ended 31.3.67 an average farrowing rate of 65 wes
reported from 7131 inseminations (Report, 1967). Results varied
between centres, those using specialist pig inseminators getting
markedly better results than those using the same operators for pig amd
cattle but A.I. usage has not expanded at the latter. Limited demands
for the service, even in the high density pig regions, and consequent
high operating costs discouraged the establishment of a national netwok
of pig artificial insemination centres as had been done for cattle.

Following demands from breeders throughout the country for access to
semen from top quality boars a 'semen delivery' service was initiated
in June 1965 whereby semen was dispatched direct to breeders who made
their own insemination arrangements, the localised inseminator service
being still available to breeders within approximately 30 miles of the
centre. The results of these two services over the period 1.6.65 to
31,12,67 are compared and this field development in pig A.I., discussed.

LEGISLATIVE CONTROL All pig A.I. centres have to be licensed by the
government and sales of semen direct to breeders are conditional upon
it being used only on the farm to which dispatched and the inseminatim
being performed by the breeder, his stockman or his veterinarian.

REQUIREMENTS FOR SERVICE A 'semen delivery' service requires:-

1. A rapid, cheap and reliable method of transporting the semen, This
meant using rail or letter post delivery to ensure arrival of the
semen at the farm within 24 hours of being requested.

2. Containers which are non-returnable, che%p, shock proof and capable
of maintaining semen between 15 C and 20 C. This has been
achieved by packing the semen bottles in expanded polystyrene boxes
wrapped in aluminium foil,

3, Education of the breeder (and the herd veterinarian) in the
insemination technique (particularly in detection of the correct
stage of oestrus for insemination) by a) Giving full instructions
plus a diagram illustrating the relationship between oestrus, time
of insemination and fertility b) Demonstrating A.I. techniques in
areas using the service and c) Briefing field staff to advise
prospective users how to deal with possible difficulties and keep
the centre informed of difficulties or complaints.

SEMEN DILUTION, STORAGE AND INSEMINATION TECHNIQUES Inseminate volumes

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