Swine Reproduction Decision Tree National Swine Reproduction Guide - A troubleshooting and management tool Dr. Donald G. Levis Levis Worldwide Swine Consultancy 5910 South 88 th Street Lincoln, Nebraska PORK Academy June 4, 2014 World Pork Exposition

Content of Presentation Why was the Swine Reproduction Decision Tree developed? Who prepared the document? Who provided funding for developing the document? Computer format and preparation of information User fee Demonstrate how the tool works 2

Where are the 5,757,000 swine breeding animals located?* * Quarterly Hogs and Pigs (December 2013), USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service 870,000 80,000 38, , , ,000 40, ,000 35,000 1, , , , ,000 62, , , , ,000 14, ,000 12,000 35, , ,000 24, ,000 9,000 20,000 19,000 3,500 46,000 3,000 75,000 4,000 9, ,000 2,000 4, ,

Extension FTE (red numbers) with subject matter that can influence reproductive performance* * As of: June 4, 2014; a “0” indicates the state has no Animal Science extension swine specialists , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,000 80,000 75,000 46,000 35,000 14,000 62,000 40,000 38,000 4,000 35,000 24,000 20,000 19,000 12,000 1,500 4,000 3, ,000 17,000 9,000 3,500 9,000 1,

University Swine Extension FTE by subject matter within United States of America 5 (3) (19) (10) (9) (6) (4) ( ) is number of specialists Total number of people: 61

States that have a university Extension swine specialists with a PhD in swine reproductive physiology* * As of: June 4, IL – Knox IN – Stewart PA – Hagan VA – Estienne **

In summary, universities have significant gaps in providing help to pork producers who want assistance in solving reproductive problems. Number of states without an Animal Science Extension Swine Specialists: 32 Total number of breeding animals in states without an Animal Science Extension Swine Specialists: 622,600 Total number of breeding animals in states without an academically trained (PhD) Extension Swine Reproductive Physiologists: – 4,813,000 – 84.6% of breeding animals 7

Lead author: Dr. Donald Levis (Reproductive physiologist) Levis Worldwide Swine Consultancy Dr. Mark Estienne (Reproductive physiologist) Virginia Tech University Dr. Wayne Singleton - retired (Reproductive physiologist) Purdue University Dr. Rodney Baker (Swine veterinarian) Iowa State University Dr. Timothy Safranski (Swine genetics) University of Missouri Dr. William Flowers (Reproductive physiologist) North Carolina State University Dr. Robert Knox (Reproductive physiologist) University of Illinois Dr. Kenneth Stalder (Swine genetics) Iowa State University Dr. Mark Knauer (Swine genetics) North Carolina State University 8 Committee chair: Dr. David Meisinger, US Pork Center of Excellence

Objectives of the computer format and preparation of the information:  Keep everything as simple as possible  Make the computer program highly user friendly and as simple as possible (no fancy animation stuff that takes up a lot of memory space)  Make the appearance of the information as simple as possible  Answer the question in simple terms and provide documentation for the answer  Search document for specific term  Have the information readily available to all pork producers and allied industries. 9

Total number of questions and answers ItemNumber of questions and answers Gilt reproductive problems Puberty attainment189 Too small of gilt pool92 Low litter size52 Low farrowing rate64 Sow reproductive problems Low sow longevity104 Low farrowing rate121 Low litter size77 Extended weaning-to-estrus interval56 High pre-weaning mortality189 Semen quality problem Low farrowing rate/Low litter size89 Total1,033 10

User fee Pork Industry License – United States and Canada: $75 per year Companies with multiple users should purchase one license per every three users. – Other countries: $500 per year Companies with multiple users should purchase one license per every three users. Academic License – University or community college educator: Free Only available during the semester/quarter the class is taught. 11

To order annual license: If questions, contact: Chelsey Branderhorst USPCE – Program Manager Telephone:

Financial sponsors National Pork Checkoff Iowa Pork Producers Association Illinois Pork Producers Association North Carolina Pork Producers Association Hog Slats from North Carolina Tri-M from Iowa ReproQuest from Wisconsin Genetiporc USA from Minnesota 13

Demonstration on Internet 14