How important is the boar in determining litter size? UNIVERSITY PARK - Many swine producers question whether the boar has any influence on litter size under normal conditions. But according to Matt Parsons, Extension swine specialist at Penn State, the boar may be more im portant in determining litter size than has been commonly accepted. It takes only 10 to 20 sperm to fertilize the available eggs at each breeding one sperm per egg yet a normal boar will produce ejaculate' that may contain 20 to 50 billion sperm under normal con ditions. Parsons explains that ‘'normal” conditions means that the boar is producing an adequate number of viable sperm with good motility and few abnormalities. Most producers recognize that heat stress caused by high surrounding temperatures or fever seriously affect sperm production and conception for two to nine weeks following the heat stress. In addition, most producers realize that too frequent use of a boar may result in a disproportionate amount of immature sperm that are incapable of fertilization. Parsons adds. However, even under optimum conditions, research indicates that the boar’s influence on litter size vanes from boar to boar. For example, recent results from several research studies have suggested that there is a difference in the number of live pigs farrowed and raised that are sired by dif ferent boars of equal age, used at the same rate and maintained m the same environment. According to Parsons, two German researchers analyzed data from 1223 Utters on the same farm. The results of the study THE THE ■ Poured Solid Reinforced ■ The Wall is as the Mate • Manure Pit Wall: • Hog House Wall • Chicken House • Concrete Decks • House Foundatl • Cistern Walls • Barnyard Walls • Concrete Pit Toi • Silage Pit Walls • Retaining Walls Take the questions out of your new construction Call: Balmer Bros, for quality engineered walls. Invest in Quality - It will last a lifetime. 410 Mam St. • Akron, PA 17501 • (717) 859-2074 or 733-9196 suggest that the boar has a highly significant influence on litter size at both birth and weaning. The researchers reported differences as large as 1.83 pigs per Utter for normal boars, (hie boar that had chromosome damaged sired Utters' with 3.3 fewer pigs than normal WASHINGTON, D.C. - A new study involving the U.S. Depart ment of Agriculture will seek to determine whether it is practical to store compressed air un derground to generate extra power when the demand for electricity peaks. To finance the feasibility study, USDA’s Rural Electrification Administration today announced approval of a |4.2 million loan guarantee commitment to the Soyland Power Cooperative, Inc., Decatur, HI. The cooperative will conduct the study. This will be the first project of its kind conducted by an REA fmanced system, said Harold V. Hunter, REA administrator. If the system works. Hunter said, air will be compressed and stored in underground caverns during “off-peak” hours when the demand for electric power is low. Then, during periods of peak load when the demand is highest the stored compressed air will be heated and expanded through a combustion turbine generator to meet the surging demand for electricity. Hunter said the project is con sistent with REA’s commitment to STRENGTH IS IN COHSTRUCnON All sizes available Round or rectangular CONCRETE WORK, INC. USDA boars. Many producers breed sows to two different boars each heat period is an effort to maximize conception rate. Parsons agrees that the practice is vahd, but he recommends that producers check their boars’ reproductive 1- joins electrical power study national goals of energy m depedence through encouraging the development of all forms-of energy sources supplemental to the more conventional forms. ‘‘This particular project also is a “fust” in the proposed financing arrangement,” Hunter said. “Soyland plans to obtain the funds from a lender other than the Federal Financing Bank. We feel this is a significant step in helping the Administration achieve its economic objective. REA is continuing to foster greater self reliance and independence on the part of its borrowers. “Increased use oflinancmg from the private sector can reduce borrower dependence upon government-supported financing,” he said. The study is scheduled for completion by June-1984. It could lead to construction of a ness by mating each boar with several sows and gilts for both services. If the results of those matings called specific matings are good, then the boar could be accepted as sound and used in the breeding program. As more and more producers megawatt compressed air storage REA has provided low-cost loans facility to provide peak power to since 1935 and loan guarantees Soyland’s 15 distribution since 1974 to finance construction cooperatives which serve about and operation of electric and 95,000 farmers and other rural telephone facilities for rural people in central Illinois. regions of the Umted States. Lancaster Farming, Saturday, November 7,1981—D7 PCNNSYIVANIA A6RICUUURE ■I W RHRt- ' i-t- .jflßßHk*f ✓ WE'RE GROWING GETTER turn to computerized lecord keepmg, evaluating each boar in the herd via specific mating should become easier, adds Parsons. Because of the boar’s influence on litter size, such evaluation may well be worth the effort, he says.
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