Pigs to Pork  breeding
Artificial insemination (AI) of swine has been practiced on an experimental scale in several countries for a good many years. Early work on swine AI in the United States was initiated at the Missouri Experiment Station in the late 1930's and early 1940's. Shortly following this time a limited amount of research was conducted by the Wisconsin Station. For all practical purposes very little effort was devoted to research until 1955 when H. L. Self of Wisconsin (now Iowa State) started a series of studies that has been carried on to the present. Similar projects are now in progress at several research stations. To date artificial insemination in swine has been much less successful than in cattle. At present, our inability with present information to preserve boar spermatozoa for prolonged periods of time blocks all attempts to incorporate the maximum advantages possible through the use of artificial insemination into practical use in the swine industry. As with other species, the primary objective of artificial insemination in swine is a more widespread use of boars with proven genetic worth. It is hoped by use of such tools as swine evaluation stations, and so forth, these animals can be identified. Of secondary importance will be advantages such as disease control. The spread of certain diseases which are transferred from the boar to the sow upon contact can be almost completely eliminated.
Artificial insemination will allow producers interested in maintaining a SPF herd to breed their sows to any boar with less danger of losing their SPF status. The boar cost of breeding intermediate to large numbers of sows could be greatly reduced. A smaller number of expensive boars will be required. The greatest disadvantage to this technique is that if AI is to be successful, good management will be required.
Although semen can be purchased commercially in certain areas, the collection of the boar, the processing of the semen and the insemination of the sow could be accomplished by most swine producers; thereby, making AI a do-it-yourself technique, which can be used on each individual farm.
The simplest and most practical method of collecting a boar is called the gloved hand technique.
In order to collect the boar he must mount either a sow in heat or a so-called dummy sow. It is much more convenient to train a boar to mount the dummy sow than to try and keep a sow in heat at all times. The time required to train the boar to mount depends upon the boar. Most breeding boars take to the mount quickly, many mounting it the first time they are exposed to it. Other boars require some coaxing, and occasionally

v The authors wish to acknowledge Mr. Larry Lee, Progressive Farmer, Birmingham, Alabama, for photographs used, assistance, and suggestions.
AS-373 Sept. 1967
W. P Jackson, V. B. Mayrose, H. W. Jones, and C. W. Foley, Animal Sciences Department
Artificial insemination
Artificial Insemination and Estrus Synchronization in Swine