An analysis of survey data by size of the breeding herd for the reproductive management practices of North American sow farms

A survey was performed to assess whether reproductive management differed among small-sized (Sm, 21 d, whereas M farms were more likely to wean at 18 to 21 d (P 0.10). More M and Lg farms used more boars for estrus detection, rotated boars, and controlled boar movement than Sm farms (P 82% of farms. Summer infertility was observed on 69% of farms with estrus and pregnancy failures the leading causes. Over 70% of farms reported a technician effect on fertility. These results suggest that reproductive management of farms in key areas related to weaning, breeding, gestation, and labor use could be a source of variation in reproductive performance.