Never Stop Improving
Roughly 5 years ago, PigEasy launched a new saddle option called the HUSKY Saddle. The gray HUSKY Saddle has all the same capabilities and benefits as the white AI Saddle and features a wider opening for easier use with larger, weaned sows.
A young, incoming gilt looks much different than a parity 6 sow. The older sow has more girth than a young female, and they are substantially longer. With this in mind, we recently updated our belting on the HUSKY Saddle to accommodate that added length.
We are happy to announce the new HUSKY Saddle now offers a longer belt. With the added belt length, bags and bottles remain upright and the catheter is in an optimal position, even on the largest and longest sows. A product update like lengthening the belt might seem minor, but completely emptying semen bags or bottles is important for a successful service.
At PigEasy, we believe even gold-standard products and solutions have room for improvement. Even small tweaks can make positive impacts on production.
What does the breeding process with the HUSKY Saddle look like on a typical farm?
While every farm develops its own rhythm, here’s a general approach to inseminating weaned sows using an AI Saddle.
Begin with 2 sets of about 4 saddles. As you are heat checking, hook up the first 4 saddles to sows that are ready for insemination. Try not to get too far between the sows that are to be serviced. If you are passing over multiple sows in a row, it’s better to use fewer saddles than to spread them too far apart.
Once the first set is hooked up and ready, work the boar back and forth in front of the sows, then move to the next set. After the second set begins insemination, move the boar back to the first set until they are completed. The second set becomes the first as you move the original saddles to the next 4 sows ready to be serviced.
Servicing gilts is a similar process, but it requires more focus and takes longer. It’s important to not spread out too far with the saddles. The boar needs to stay in close proximity to gilts during insemination. Take your time and do not rush. Utilize the standard AI Saddle as it is a snugger fit and shorter belt.
Each saddle gives you an extra set of hands when the timing is critical. The AI and HUSKY Saddles multiply the effectiveness of each breeding tech so they can spend more time observing and making important decisions for the herd. For more information and instructional videos, visit HERE.
