By Ken Stalder and Tom Baas, Iowa State University (NHF) - There is a growing trend within the ranks of commercial pork producers to switch from purchasing all replacement gilts to producing their own.

This shift to internal multiplication programs is largely driven by health challenges associated with routinely introducing replacement gilts into commercial operations. Generally, purchasing replacement females gained wide acceptance because it maximizes terminal market hog production, allows the genetic supplier to focus on genetic improvement, plus management of the system is relatively easy.

While internal gilt multiplication may present fewer health concerns, it also introduces a new set of challenges and pitfalls that must be taken into account.

To continue reading this article - Click Here

Source: National Hog Farmer - 15th August 2003