HOG NEWS Issue No 25: JANUARY- MARCH 2016

Editorial
We entered 2016 with the sad news that Mr Doug Bean would no longer be involved in pig
production. Mr Bean and his wife had been actively involved in the pig industry for a number
of years. They supported the industry through the supply of breeding stock. They will sadly
be missed by some of us who have worked with them for the good of the pig industry for a
number of years.

Talking of the pig industry things do not look rosy for producers at the moment. The producer
prices are low and the projected maize harvest is not encouraging. As highlighted in previous
additions of the hog news producers should be focusing on improving efficiency and keeping
sow herds that they can effectively maintain. While the country will not be in a position to
harvest enough maize to meet its needs this year we have been assured by the stock feed
manufacturers that they have made arrangements to ensure that there will be no pig feed
shortages. Admittedly bought in feed is sometimes more expensive than home mixed feeds
but in situations of feed ingredient shortages the comfort of an assured feed supply outweigh
the extra expense. Producers should strive to minimize their expenses per pig produced in
order to make up for the increased cost of feed. One of the ways of doing this is to increase
output per sow per year. The use of artificial insemination in place of natural mating can also
help to reduce feed costs.

This edition’s feature article is the first of a 2 part series on artificial insemination. The article
will cover the handling of semen. Enjoy your reading.

ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION –HANDLING SEMEN

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Semen is very sensitive and is easily damaged by rough handling, temperature shock and
exposure to direct sun’s rays. It is important to take care when storing and handling semen.
When the temperature falls below or rises beyond the recommended settings, sperm mortility
falls and sperm agglutination will occur. This will inevitably reduce the sperm quality and
results in poor results and wastages. In order to improve reproductive performance the
viability of the semen and shelf life need to be ensured.

Storage temperatures
When one takes delivery of semen, it has to be transported in an insulated container with
temperature set at 170C. The recommended temperature range is 16-180C. Above 200C the
sperm shelf life will be reduced and below 150C the sperm will suffer cold temperature shock.
Exposing the semen to temperatures outside the recommended range will result in poor
results after artificial insemination. Semen should not be stored in a conventional refrigerator
(2-80C) or at room temperature above 200C. It is important to check temperature regularly
and correct any fluctuations.

Storage position
Semen doses should be stored horizontally to ensure maximum contact with the diluents in
which it is preserved. This will maintain nutrient availability to the sperm and is important to
protect semen viability and maximise shelf life. Stored semen should also be turned or gently
agitated twice a day. This will ensure that the semen is properly mixed with the diluent and
this will improve shelf life and sperm viability. There is need to gently handle semen as rough
handling compromises the quality of the semen and its viability.

Shelf life
It is important to observe the shelf life of semen as it can only be stored for a short period of
time ranging between 3-6 days. Semen should be used within a specified time frame and
thus it is imperative to only order what is required.

Usage
In large units where many sows are mated at a time, it is critical to calculate the doses of
semen required for one hour’s worth of inseminations at a time and withdraw the right
quantities. This will avoid taking many doses that can adversely be affected by temperatures.
One person can carry out 8 inseminations per hour, thus the doses to be taken at a time will
be 8 multiplied by the number of inseminators at a time. Expired semen should be discarded.

Key considerations when handling semen in the insemination area

 Practice high levels of hygiene as semen can be easily contaminated
 Ensure that there is adequate space to work on and to lay out the equipment.
Catheters should be placed away from dust and dirt.
 Pigs should not get access to catheters and semen
 There is need for adequate lighting, bright enough to read a newspaper
 Supply waste disposal facilities

2. PRODUCER’S CORNER

Question 1

Can sorghum be used to replace maize in pig rations?

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Answer:
Sorghum can broadly be classified in two groups i.e. white and red sorghum. Like maize it is
an energy source. Sorghum contains more protein than maize. It is however important to
note that pig diets should be formulated to meet essential amino acids, especially lysine, and
not the crude protein requirements of the pig. White sorghum can be used partially or as a
sole source of energy in pig diets for all classes of pigs. Red sorghum is not as good as white
sorghum and should not be used for lactating and piglet diets. Red sorghum contains tannins
that reduce its nutritive value in pigs. It is advisable to mix red sorghum with other grains for
the diets of other classes of pigs. If the sorghum is going to be fed at 75-100% of the energy
source, it is advisable to increase the protein content of the diet by 1-2% by adding 22.7 kg of
soyabean meal per ton of mixed diet. The additional protein is needed to overcome the
detrimental effect of tannins on protein digestibility if same performance is to be expected as
with feeding maize. Grain sorghum should be processed, such that there are no or very few
whole kernels, if it is to be used efficiently in pig diets.

Question 2
What is the advantage of inseminating pigs versus natural mating?
Answer
There are many advantages which come with artificial insemination compared to natural
service as stated below:
 Fewer boars are kept in the unit at any given time and this will reduce the feed cost.
The boars will be needed for heat detection.
 There is less risk in spreading diseases by using artificial insemination
 Old boars can be used on gilts which is not possible if natural mating is practiced.
 Genetic improvement can be achieved quickly with artificial insemination as superior
boars can be used on a big population of sows

3. PIB’S CORNER

3.1 RESEARCH
The current research is on establishing the right conditions to vermicomposting pig manure.

3.2 PAST EVENTS

3.2.1.Training
3.2.1.1One day course on pig feeds and feeding
A one day course on pig feeds and feeding was run in March. Thirty two people attended the
course.

3.2.1.2 Practical training

Practical training at the Arcturus station resumed in January 2016 after it was suspended in
September 2015 following the outbreak of African swine fever in Mukumbura, Mashonaland
Central province in July 2015.

A total of 25 trainees completed the practical course in the first quarter of 2016.

3.2.1.3 Outreach course

A 4 day theory course was run for beneficiaries of the World Vision programme in Chihota. A
total of 25 people attended the course.

3.2.1.4 Extension
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A total of 97 advisory farm visits were undertaken in the first quarter of 2016.

3.3 FOR THE DIARY

3.3.1PRACTICAL COURSES IN PIG PRODUCTION

3.3.1.1 Training schedule for the 3-week practical course for the Arcturus station
Intake Starting Date Ending Date
No
6 18/04/2016 06/05/2016
7 09/05/2016 27/05/2016
8 30/05/2016 17/06/2015
9 20/06/2016 08/07/2016
10 11/07/2016 29/07/2016
11 01/08/2016 19/08/2016
12 29/08/2016 16/09/2016
13 19/09/2016 07/10/2016
14 10/10/2016 28/10/2016
15 31/10/2016 18/11/2016
16 21/11/2016 09/12/2016

Course fees: $120.00 per participant.

Pig Industry Board offers accommodation, bed, stove, protective clothing, stationery and
literature. Trainees are required to bring their own food, cooking utensils, blankets and
toiletries.

3.3.1.2 FIVE DAY PRACTICAL COURSE ON PIG PRODUCTION

Farmers who are unable to undergo the 3 week course can enrol for the 5 day practical
course. Contact PIB technical department for finer details. The course fee for the 5-day
course is $50.00.

3.3.1.3 ARTIFICIAL INSEMINATION COURSE

A 3 day A.I course will be run weekly at the Arcturus station, from Wednesday-Friday. The
course fee is $25.00.

As a biosecurity measure trainees coming for the courses should be 3 days pig free i.e. they
should not have been in pig units or with contact with pigs for at least 3 days.

3.3.2 ONE DAY THEORY COURSE

A one day course on pig breeding with emphasis on natural mating and artificial insemination
concepts will be run in the second quarter at a venue and date to be advised.

3.3.3 FARM VISITS

The Extension Department will continue to conduct advisory farm visits throughout
Zimbabwe. Please contact the Technical department so that you are not left out when PIB
officers visit your area.

3.3.4 SEMEN
The PIB is availing semen for artificial insemination. A dose is $10.00 and at least a pig
should be given 2 doses. Orders for semen can be placed with the PIB technical department.

4.GENERAL INFORMATION
i. PIG PRODUCERS’ ASSOCIATION OF ZIMBABWE (PPAZ)

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Pig producers are encouraged to join the PPAZ so that they can speak with one voice.
Farmers wishing to join the association can either contact PIB officials or the PPAZ
secretariat on 04-756600/772915/777391, fax-04-774800. E-mail: admin@lit.co.zw

ii. PIG REGISTRATION FACILITIES

Section 4 of the Animal Health Act (African Swine fever) gazetted 1994, specifies that no pig
may be kept on any place except in facilities approved by the Director of Veterinary Services.

An approved facility means a facility fenced to the satisfaction of the Department so that
there will be no direct contact between domestic and wild pigs or warthogs. In order to
achieve this, the domestic pigs must be housed in sties, which must be further protected by
an outer perimeter fence. Any units not in compliance with the swine-fever regulations may
be closed with immediate effect, at the discretion of the Veterinary Services Department. The
Veterinary Department

4 tier registration fees for ASF. $20.00 (for <20 sows), $50.00 for (20 -50 sows), $100 for (51-
100 sows), $200.00 (for >100 sows)
Contact details for pig facility registration: Dr.Gadaga on 0772375315

iii. BOGUS ANIMAL HEALTH INSPECTOR ON THE LOOSE

A bogus animal health inspector is on the loose and farmers be warned. The bogus inspector
is moving around with fake papers as shown above. The Veterinary Department confirmed
that this was not from their department. If you are visited by a suspicious officer on your farm
please report to the Veterinary Department. Visits by the bogus inspector have been reported
in Chinhoyi.

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iv. VETERINARY MOVEMENT PERMIT
The pig movement permit is $10.00.

5.PORK TALES
PIB operates a butchery outlet at its Arcturus station. Pork is also wholesaled from the PIB
Bulawayo station and customers in and around Bulawayo can get in touch with the Bulawayo
Station Manager.

The pork and pork products prices are very competitive. The range of processed products
includes sausages, bacon, salami and polony.

The abattoir offers service slaughter facility and processing courses to farmers. Farmers
wishing to slaughter their pigs or to enrol for the processing course should get in touch with
the Abattoir and butchery manager for finer details.

PIB BUTCHERY PRICE LIST

FRESH PORK PRICE $/KG

Pork chops 3.85
Pork leg, pork shoulder 3.70
Pork trotter,shank,belly 2.80
Ration pork 2.50
Pork fillet 6.00
Braai ribs 6.00
Carcass 2.80
Headless carcass 3.40

PROCESSED PRODUCTS PRICE $/KG

Pork sausages 6.00
Boerewores 7.00
Pork mince 6.00
French polony 5.00
Salami 6.60
Barbeque sausages 5.00
Gammon ham 8.00
Bacon 8.00
Slaughter fees (up to 104kg cdm) $12.00/PIG
Slaughter fees above 104kg CDM $20.00/PIG
Slicing fee $ 0.25/KG

6.PIB DIRECTORY
Arcturus station 0274 2394 or 02742395 chitateg@gmail.com
Reception 0772 234 650
Technical department 0772 234 651 thmuza@gmail.com
0733847431 tinashetekedza@gmail.com

Butchery 0772 289 156 lardiemahovo@gmail.com

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Bulawayo Station 09 296069/ mbeure@gmail.com
0772517935
Farm Manager 0777882965 shavattwo@gmail.com