How We Decide: Listen To Your Gut!

February 9, 2010

As I struggled with my personal life last fall, our farm struggled.  We have only four new litters of pigs when we normally would have twenty.  The reason?  I failed to listen to my gut!

I’m reading an excellent book by Jonah Lehrer titled, “How We Decide.”  It’s about what’s going on in our heads when we make a decision.  In the second chapter, Jonah talks about how experts typically make a decision.

“Although we tend to think of experts as being weighed down by information, their intelligence dependent on a vast amount of explicit knowledge, experts are actually profoundly intuitive.  When an expert evaluates a situation, he doesn’t systematically compare all the available options or consciously analyze the relevant information.  He doesn’t rely on elaborate spreadsheets or long lists of pros and cons.  Instead, the expert naturally depends on the emotions generated by his dopamine neurons.  His prediction errors have been translated into useful knowledge, which allows him to tap into a set of accurate feelings he can’t begin to explain.”

I used three littermate boars for breeding this past fall and they failed to successfully conceive a single litter.  I had a bad feeling about these boars from their birth, probably before their birth.  But I failed to listen to my intuition.

These boars were sired by artificial insemination, (AI), using semen from a boar housed in Iowa at a company called Swine Genetics International, (SGI).  I like SGI and have had a lot of good luck working with them.  We have had a closed swine herd for fifteen years.  This means we haven’t brought any new swine onto the farm.  We introduce new genetics using artificial insemination.  I joke that the only swine we buy is delivered by UPS.

SGI helpfully separates their boars by breed, and further separates by type and expected function.  For example, boars may be classified as maternal, meaning they will sire excellent mothers, or terminal, meaning they will sire excellent market hogs.  They also have high marbling lines, high growth, high lean, and other types.

The type that gets us in trouble is the Showpig line.  These boars are always very attractive to look at, but usually end up disappointing us in the end.

The sire of our three boars which couldn’t breed was a Yorkshire from the Showpig line and his name is “Be Bold.”  That is a fitting name, because we were, even though we knew better.  But look at his video, isn’t he awesome?  Can you see why we were tempted?

The three boars we kept out of him looked awesome as well.  Dad even said they were the best-looking boars we’ve ever had on the farm.  So we turned them in with the gilts and proceeded to work on corn harvest and didn’t pay much attention to them other than at morning feeding or a casual glance walking by their pen.

The problem was they couldn’t extend their penis out of the sheath.  Boars have a long, pink, corkscrew-shaped penis.   Here is a link to a diagram of a boar’s penis.

 They would mount the right end and get all tight in there and get that orgasmic look in their eyes. But their penis was not going into the gilt.  They ejaculated inside the sheath.  That’s why I even saw the cervical jelly the boars produce which is usually a sure sign something is getting bred.

Now I probably could have pulled the penis out of the sheath and helped them get started breeding.  Some farmers would do that.  But by the time I figured out the problem, I was so frustrated I was looking forward to letting Johnsonville make bratwurst out of them.  And I had other boars which had grown large enough to breed.   

This isn’t the first time we’ve been disappointed.  In fact, it happens so often, I’ve been toying with an idea that would be a safeguard.  The problem is this idea also slows genetic progress. 

Here’s the idea.  Only keep gilts out of AI litters, no boars.  You see, on our farm, a boar can produce 200 offspring in a year while a gilt can only produce 20.  If I end up liking the gilt, then I can keep gilts or boars out of her later.  That way I  introduce the new genetics into my herd, but at a slower, safer rate.

I’ve already implemented this idea in some fashion.  If a gilt or sow has a litter and is a poor mother, or there is a genetic defect in the litter, or any other reason for not liking the litter, I don’t ear notch the piglets in the litter.  That way, five months later, when I am selecting replacement gilts, I’m not tempted to choose a gilt from that litter. 

I keep detailed records and write down any problems that may have occurred.  But I have been known to justify keeping a gilt from a problem litter because she looked so good.  If she is not ear notched however, I have no records on her, and the cautious curiousfarmer of five months ago, trumps the reckless curiousfarmer of today.

4 Comments | Curious genetics, Curious hogs, Curious reproduction | Permalink
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Mycotoxins in Corn

November 22, 2009

“There’s always something!”  common quote by farmers usually said with a shrug and tired smile. 

This farming game is tough.  The something right now is mycotoxins in the 2009 corn crop. 

Mycotoxins are by-products of mold growth.  Animals exhibit poor health when fed grains contaminated with mycotoxins.

Our feed salesman took a sample of our corn expecting to find high levels of the three mycotoxins being found in this year’s corn crop.  He said that much of the corn crop in Ohio was contaminated and he had already found high levels of mycotoxins in some of his customers’ corn in Wisconsin.

He knew of a farmer who still had much of the 2008 corn crop on hand and counseled us that we should try to sell our 2009 corn and buy his old corn.  This would be a logistical headache for us.  Thankfully, we didn’t have to consider this.

We sent a sample of our corn to Holmes Laboratory Inc. in Ohio.  The test came back with acceptably low levels of Vomitoxin, Zearalenone, and Fumosin.  Two months ago I had never heard of these three mycotoxins.  Aflatoxin was the only mycotoxin I had ever heard of.

If your corn does have high levels of mycotoxins, you can blend with good corn to reduce the level of mycotoxin in the feed.  You can also put additives in the feed that absorb and bind the toxin or deactivate it.  JBS United  conducts research on the effectiveness of additives.

I have no idea why our corn has low levels of mycotoxins while others find high levels.  Sometimes it’s better to be lucky than good.

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Farming Fun With Friends

September 15, 2009

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Posed photo:  manure spreader and rented “bobcat” loader in hoop building after cleaning out and adding two loads of lime.

My father and farming partner had surgery for colon cancer two weeks ago.  He is home and recovering but will not be able to lift anything for a few more weeks.   

It’s been a challenging couple of weeks working without him.  Thank God I have friends and family willing to pitch in and help me out.  Thank you.  Some jobs are almost impossible alone.

I finished baling the 3rd cutting of hay.  We were blessed with dry weather which was necessary to make dry hay this time of year. 

After that I needed to clean out a hoop building and spread the manure on the designated hay strips which will be corn next year.  Two friends each ran a tractor with manure spreader for me.  I loaded the manure with the rented “bobcat.”

The “bobcat” probably costs more than $30,000 new.  But we can rent it for $150-200 dollars and get a hoop building clean.  It has tracks like a bulldozer so it works great on the dirt floor of the hoop building.  In 3-4 hours I can have 20+ loads of manure spread on my fields and a clean hoop building.

After that I put 1-2 loads of lime, (crushed limestone), on the floor of the hoop building to reestablish a base.  Lime is considered a fertilizer for crops and works great in this capacity because it packs kind of like wet sand.

I’ll let the hoop building set empty until I’m ready to put pigs into it and then I will unroll straw or cornstalk bedding and I’m ready to go.  We won’t clean the hoop building out again until the next batch of pigs goes to market.

It’s fun to complete a task with friends.  And it’s fun to run a “bobcat”.  This is farming fun with friends!

1 Comment | Curious hogs, Curious livestock costs | Permalink
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Hog Market is Crashing

August 24, 2009

The hog market is crashing.  Hog farmers are going out of business.  Our hog buyer has been laid off. 

According to NPPC President, Don Butler, the U.S. hog industry has lost nearly $4.5 billion since September, 2007.  Producers have lost an average of $21.37 per hog.  Losses per hog may be over $50 per head this fall.

We sold a load of commodity hogs August 4th.  The price per 100 lbs. of hog was $43.48.  Just ten days later on August 14th we sold another load and the price per 100 lbs. of hog was $37.60.  That’s a difference of nearly $15 per 250 lb. hog.

Direct-marketing pork has helped us stay optimistic about raising hogs.  Unfortunately, many producers are finding nothing to be optimistic about and are exiting the hog industry.  How low will these markets go until reaching seasonal lows in December?  I will keep you posted.

Here is a conversation I had at the hog market, recently.

 

I waited at the hog market with my old herdboars.

“They can’t be together,” I said to the old man waiting to unload his hogs. 

“This one will tear the other one up.  He already did a month ago, jumped over a gate four feet high.”

“Looks like he could do it now,” the old man said as the boar measured the gate with his snout.

“He’s a good-looking boar.”

“Thanks,” I said.

“Where’d you get him from?” the old man asked.

“I raise boars,” I said.  “I use AI to bring in new genetics.”

“Oh, you use AI?”

“Yes.  Where do you get your boars?” I asked.

“Ohio.  Durocs one year, Yorkshires the next.”

“That’s a good cross,” I said.

The old man looked up towards the scale and asked, “Where’s Scott?”

“He’s on vacation,” I said.  “But next week’s his last week.”

“What, why?” the old man asked.

“He got laid off.  They’re closing down German Valley and Rory is going to drive from Lancaster to fill in here.”

“The hell you say.”

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Combining Oats/Barley

August 16, 2009

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Harvesting oats/barley with our 1970’s era Massey Ferguson combine.  I won’t know an exact yield until I have fed all of it to our hogs over the next year.  We finished baling the straw on Friday.

Oats/barley is higher in protein and fiber than corn, but lower in energy.  I use oats/barley in the hog rations at a rate of 20% of the ration when it’s available.  So that’s 400 lbs. per ton.  I reduce the soybean meal by 50 lbs. per ton when I include oats/barley in the ration.  I see no noticeable difference in hog performance at this inclusion rate.

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The Proof is in the Pudding

June 19, 2009

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Large hogs enjoying their last days on an alfalfa/grass pasture.

 Are you purchasing pastured meats for your health?  Or are you more concerned that the animals are free-range?

Free-range is great fun for livestock.  But without careful management, a pasture can quickly become a dirt lot, and the health benefits that come from eating quality pasture will disappear.

If you are purchasing pastured meats for your health, and want to verify that the animals are getting the majority of their nutrients from pasture, then there is one sure way to know.  Observe the animals’ manure.

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This is the picture of hog manure from one of the hogs pictured above.  It is almost as green as cattle manure and contains less grain than the hog manure pictured below, which is from a hog receiving no pasture or forage.

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Now that you have this knowledge, I’m sure most of you won’t use it.  And I don’t blame you.  The joke in the movie, “Tommy Boy,” is, “You can stick your head up a steer’s ass to find out how good the steaks are;  but wouldn’t you rather take the butcher’s word for it?” I’m guessing most of you would rather take the farmer’s word for it, too.

I also have two nice pictures of contrasting cattle manure.  If anyone is interested, comment or email.

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Three Little Pigs

May 28, 2009

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Isaac, Lael, and my 250 lbs. pastured hogs which will be butchered in June.  Note the single-strand electric fence in the foreground.

Isaac and his stepmom Lael visited my farm again and took home three little pigs.  Isaac and Lael are meat-eaters who desire to raise it themselves.  They own an acreage outside of Madison and are exploring the options for their land.  I’m glad pigs are a part of the plan.  Best of luck!

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Artificial Inseminaton of Swine

January 31, 2009

In Brief

Artificial Insemination (AI) of swine is common.  We have used AI exclusively since 1994 to incorporate new genetics into our herd.  While it is not difficult, a little information can increase your chance for success.

In Detail

We use no reproductive drugs to assist in breeding.  Consequently, we only AI sows as they exhibit a more consistent estrus compared to gilts.  Estrus is when a sow is fertile and will allow herself to be inseminated.

Swine semen is usually collected and shipped fresh, not frozen.  It will stay viable for about a week after collection, but its potency is reduced as it ages.  So it is important to synchronize estrus in the sows you want to inseminate so the semen will be used promptly.

The best way to synchronize estrus in sows is weaning.  Sows consistently exhibit estrus 4-7 days after weaning.  We wean the sows 4 days before our semen arrives.

The boar stud we use is Swine Genetics International (SGI).  SGI collects its boars on Mondays and Thursdays.  Semen is shipped next day air UPS and will arrive at the farm on Tuesdays or Fridays.  So we wean sows on Fridays or Mondays.

Sows are housed as a group adjacent to a boar or boars.  The sight and phermones of a boar stimulates return to estrus.  If a boar is not available, an aerosol can of boar phermones can be used.  Sows are fed ad libitum, (all they can eat).

Sows will begin to act squirrelly as they approach estrus.  They will vocalize more and begin pacing around the pen.  Their vulva will swell.

On the afternoon of the second day the boar is removed, preferably to another building.  If the boar is allowed to remain next to the sows it will make estrus detection more difficult.  This is because sows tend to fluctuate throughout the day in their expression of estrus.  They will exhibit estrus strongly for several minutes, get tired, and then lie down and rest.  If you are not observing constantly you will miss estrus detection in some sows.


On the morning of the third day, the morning before the semen arrives; we move a boar back within walking distance of the sows.  We use our hydraulic trailer, which lowers completely to the ground, and have the boar locked in the front.  We let two sows out of their pen at a time and gently walk them towards the boar.  If they are in estrus they will stop by the boar and lock their legs.  This is called ‘standing heat’.  Often, their ears will waggle and they will emit a characteristic growl.


To test for standing heat, put some weight on the sow’s back with your hand.  If the sow is in estrus she will stay locked in one place.  If she is not in estrus she will try to move away from your pressure.

We wait and watch for a couple of minutes.  Sometimes a sow will take a few minutes to lock into standing heat.  If a sow is in estrus, she receives a chalk mark.  If I suspect a sow is close to being in estrus she receives a different colored chalk mark.  The sows are removed from the boar and put back into another pen.  This continues until all of the sows are heat checked.  We check for estrus twice a day, as close to twelve hours apart as possible.

Why don’t we just let the boar stand by the sow’s pen and observe the sows in their own pen?  Some sows are less aggressive and will not exhibit estrus in this situation because they don’t want to crowd next to the more dominant sows which are standing near the boar.

Research has shown that on average, sows ovulate 40 hours after the onset of standing heat.  To become pregnant, live sperm need to unite with ovum. Timing is the crucial element for successful insemination.

Once a sow is observed in standing heat, she is inseminated 24 hours later.  She is inseminated a second time 12 hours after that.  If observation of standing heat was accurate, this protocol should result in live sperm uniting with ovum.

Insemination is similar to heat detection on our farm.  A boar is placed in the front of the hydraulic trailer.  Two sows we want to inseminate our let out of their pen and shut in the back of the trailer.  They should still be in standing heat and will lock themselves in place which makes it easy to work with them.  A trick we use if a sow is uncooperative is to place a little feed on the floor of the trailer.

We use a paper towel to clean off each sow’s vulva.  We then insert a breeding rod into each sow’s vulva angling the rod upward so it doesn’t enter the bladder.  We use a foam- tipped breeding rod.  Some rods are corkscrew shaped to resemble a boar’s penis.  You must turn these rods counter-clockwise as you enter the sow’s cervix.

We gently push the foam-tipped rod into the sow until we feel we’ve entered the cervix.  Gently tug the rod backwards.  If there is some resistance, you are in the cervix and ready to inseminate.  If the rod slides back easily you need to reposition.

The boar semen is in single serving plastic bottles designed to inseminate one sow.  Boar semen is priced from $5 to $250 per bottle.  We have found a way to stretch our dollar that seems to not affect conception rates or litter size.  If we have two sows in heat at the same time we will use a half bottle for each sow.

Boar semen needs to be kept at 64 F until used.  We store it in a double cooler in our basement.  We also use a cooler to transport it to the breeding area.

We take a bottle of semen out of its cooler and cut off the tip with a pocket knife.  We put the bottle in the end of the breeding rod and apply very gentle pressure.  If a sow is expressing estrus well, she will actually have contractions that can suck out the contents of the bottle in a minute or less.  This is almost too fast though and we are not concerned if it takes five minutes.   If we are splitting a bottle we remove it from the rod when it’s half empty and use the rest on the other sow.

When finished, we pull out the rods and discard.  We don’t reuse as this will prevent passing an infection between sows.  Rods are priced at about 50 cents a piece.

Sows are returned to their pen.  It is important to not overfeed sows the first month after breeding as this has been shown to reduce conception rates and litter size.  We reduce their feed intake to about five pounds.  It is also important to not stress sows for the next month.  If they need to be moved to a different pen or group, moving immediately is best.

We have had conception rates from 50% to 100%.  The average is around 70%.  We have had the most success breeding in the March through May period.  August is the worst month for successful breeding.  We have not used AI in the coldest winter months as our facilities are outside and we are afraid the semen would freeze.

2 Comments | Curious hogs, Curious reproduction | Permalink
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