AS-409 • 1973
animal sciences
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE PURDUE UNIVERSITY, WEST LAFAYETTE INDIANA 47907
Selection and Management of Herd Boars
lN. L. Singleton and K. J. Drewry, Animal Sciences Department
Making the right decisions in herd boar selection and management can mean genetically-superior progeny, better herd reproductive performance and, thus, greater returns to your swine enterprise.
About one-fifth the total cost of swine production goes to maintain the breeding herd. Remember, a gestating or lactating female requires the same amount' of feed, space and labor regardless of how large or small her litter. And it's the herd boarthat has 70 percent of the “say" when it comes to such things as litter size, growth rate, feed efficiency and
meatiness of the pig crop. In other words, it pays the swine producer big dividends to select the right boar for his production system and then to manage that boar for maximum reproductive performance.
The purpose of this publication is to consider the essentials of good boar selection and management. Discussed will be such questions as where and when to buy a boar, what factors to consider in boar selection, what management steps are important both before and during the breeding seasons, and whereto get additional information on other aspects of swine selection and breeding.
Herd Boar Selection
WHERE TO BUY HERD BOARS
Over 80 percent of boars purchased are from purebred breeders through private treaty or various area, state and national breed sales. Central-station performance-tested boar sales, conducted in most
A desirable herd boar—long bodied, structurally correct, well muscled, heavy boned, masculine and backed by good records.
states, account for another 5 to 8 percent of purchases. And sales by commercial breeding organizations provide the remaining 1 2 to 15 percent of boars for swine herds.
These are all good sources of breeding animals. Which is best will depend on factors that are unique to you and your operation, such as personal preference and goals, type of production system, financial limitations, etc.
Adjustment Policy. Regardless of where you buy herd boars, it is essential that both you and the seller understand the sale policy and responsibilities before the transaction. A reputable breeder will gladly enter into a written agreement with the buyer concerning fair adjustment if problems develop with the boar. (Figure 1 shows a sample buyer-seller adjustment policy.) Such a breeder is also usually willing to serve as a consultant to the buyer when selecting boars. He's an excellent source of practical swine management information, and his suggestions should be carefully considered. Both breeder and buyer gain if no adjustment is required on a boar.