A model for economic comparison of swine insemination programs

Optimal artificial insemination schedules are those that result in a high farrowing rate and litter size, while minimizing costs of semen and labor by avoiding unnecessary inseminations. A simulation model programmed in a commercial spreadsheet was developed to permit comparison of alternative schedules. Farrowing rate and litter size for a particular schedule were dependent on the timing of insemination relative to the time of ovulation. Economic return was calculated by multiplying the number of pigs born per bred sow by $33.00 and subtracting the cost of producing a litter of pigs and raising them to weaning ($222.88 per sow plus $2.44 per pig born) and the cost of detection of estrus and breeding. Seven insemination schedules combined with once versus twice per day detection of estrus were simulated in 500 herds of 100 sows each. Inseminations were simulated to occur on schedules of: 1) 0, 12, 24 and 36 h; 2) 12, 24 and 36 h; 3) 0 and 24 h; 4) 12 and 36 h; 5) 12 h; 6) 24 h; and 7) 36 h after first detection of estrus. Schedule 1 was predicted to yield the highest farrowing rate and litter size. Economic return was highest for Schedule 2 with twice per day detection of estrus followed closely by Schedule 1 with once per day detection of estrus at $14.90 and $13.75 per bred sow, respectively. High performance was dependent on insuring that inseminations occurred at an optimum time in as great a proportion of sows as possible.