Evaluation of the productive and reproductive performance of a Pulse-flow® technology for artificial insemination compared to a conventional application.
Swine reproduction; Management; Pig farming; Sows; Zootechnical indexes.
Artificial insemination is considered an indispensable practice to disseminate genetic material and achieve good reproductive rates and, despite the related advantages, there are still limitations mainly related to the technical management and labor required. Given this scenario, the objective was to compare the Pulse-flow® technology for artificial insemination with the traditional methodology on reproductive indexes, financial return and management optimization. Two treatments were performed: Pulse-flow insemination (PF) and traditional insemination (TR). Each treatment consisted of 500 sows, with parity order between 1 and 6, over 10 weeks. After weaning, the animals were distributed in breeding crates. The heat check was made daily through the standing heat reflex in the presence of the boar twice a day. Sows were inseminated according to the artificial insemination interval protocol on farm, using the post-cervical AI technique. Return to estrus, pregnancy rate and farrowing rate were evaluated. After farrowing, the total born and live born pigs will be counted. The forecast completion of the experiment is expected in half of November, so far, no partial results have been obtained. It is expected to prove the improvement in the reproductive performance of commercial sows using Pulse-flow® insemination technology and to elucidate the cost-effectiveness of implementing a new technology for artificial insemination on commercial farms.