B4—Lancaster Farming, Saturday, August 8,1981 Ask the VMD Jh Leon Riegel If you have a question you would, like to have answered by the team, of veterinarians at Valley Animal Hospital, Palmyra, and Dr. Tim Trayer, Denver, send it to “Ask the VMD”, Lancaster Farming Newspaper, Box 366, Lititz, PA 17543. Questions will be kept anonymous on request. Making bacon artif ically I have two sows that I would like to have artificially bred. We live in Berks County and have had no luck in finding anyone who knows how to artificially inseminate hogs. Can you help us find such a service? Warren P. Baker Bethel Dr. Trayer comments: The industry of artificial in semination in swine is not as ad vanced or well developed as it is in dairy and beef cattle for several reasons First, the industry is fairly new when compared to the dairy and beef industry. Secondly, there is a lack of skilled, experienced AI technicians available. Thirdly, results from AI have been varied in different swine operations and situations, so that AI is not advancing as rapidly as it has in the dairy and beef in dustries One of the primary problems appears to be with the variability in conception and litters farrowed from AI services, compared to natural services in the swine in dustry Whether this is related to the aforementioned areas or some other reproductive fact we haven’t identified is unknown. Various individuals feel strongly one way or the other about AI and SELF LOCKING HEADGATES Custom Built To Your Specifications - ~ALSO AVAILABLE-^— • Farm Gates • Free Stalls • Hay Banks • Silage Banks • Stock Tilt Tables • Blocking • Chutes • Portable Loading Chutes • Squeeze Chutes • Head Gates • Custom Steel Products • Round Bale Feeders FREY BROS. MANUFACTURING R.D. #2, Quarryvllle, PA 17566 717-786-2146 SyntheaMaas Tim Trayer Edgar Sheaffer its application in the swine in dustry. Those who have excellent or good results feel very strongly for its use and, of course, those with poor results feel the other way. This is not to say the idea of AI in swine is not a valid one. From a health standpoint alone, it is an excellent idea Because one of the major areas for potential in troduction of undesired disease into the herd is through the ad dition of replacement or different male lines, usually only a few animals are added One or two, or six or ten can jeopardize the whole operation. AI, along with reducing health problems, is one way to achieve the same advantages that the dairy and beef industries have enjoyed the more rapid distribution of a superior genetic potential thoughout the country by the use of AI than would be possible with natural service. Concerning an individual who offers thes A.I. services on a routine basis, there is no one that I know of that breeds sows for hog producers privately. You might also want to get in touch with one of the large AI services that deals in frozen semen. Although I do not endorse one company over the other, an ar tificial insemination company that advertises fairly often in trade journals is International Boar Semen. Their address and phone number is: P O. Box 538, Eldora, lowa, 50627,800/247-7877. I think the idea of not main taining a boar for two animals is excellent. However, if these are gilts, you may have a hard time in getting good conception or even good signs that they’re in heat to know when to breed them. Proper heat observation is essential for a successful artificial insemination program. OVER ONE HALF CENTURY OF SALES & SERVICE TERRE HILL SILO CO.,4NC. TERRE HILL, PA 17581 ★ TRI RIB CONCRETE STAVE SILOS ★ PATZ FEED & MANURE EQUIPMENT ★ SERVICE FROM A WELL STOCKED PARTS DEPT. ★ FIBERGLASS SILO PARTS & CALF HUTCHES ★ EXPERT SILO REPAIRS FOR FAST EFFICIENT SERVICE CALL TERRE HILL 215-445-6736 CUSTOMER COMMENT: You have a fine crew. We really appreciate them. POURED SOLID CONCRETE x { V Increase Your Volume By In-Ground Storage 410 Main St. • Akron, PA 17501 • (717) 859-2074 or 733-9196 NEW YORK, N.Y. - The U S. Department of Agriculture will withdraw federal meat inspection and meat grading and acceptance services indelmitely trom a Lin den, N.J. firm unless its secretary treasurer, Gerald David, gives up all association within 90 days and sells his company stock within one year. The firm, Mlotok Beef Company, Inc., cannot process meat products without federal inspection. Donald L. Houston, ad ministrator of USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, said the decision was issued by USDA Administrative Law Judge Victor W. Palmer after USDA and the firm reached a consent agreement.