Reproduction in Swine - Understanding the estrous cycle for herd management

Sep 11, 2023

The estrous cycle is the dynamic hormonal cycle that controls reproduction in female mammals in relation to the release of eggs (oocytes) and preparation of the uterus for fertilized embryos.

Or to put it shortly, the estrous cycle makes reproduction possible!

While a successful pig operation depends on getting pigs to market, if the breeding herd does not reproduce adequately, then there are fewer pigs available to market from the beginning. Maximizing reproductive performance of your herd may require some trouble shooting if you are struggling to get enough sows or gilts pregnant. There are a multitude of reasons why this might happen, however having a basic understanding of what is happening during the estrous cycle can aid you in determining the best time to breed your sows, and how to apply synchronization programs if the need arises. Here, we will review the stages of the estrous cycle and highlight how those changes can influence reproduction in your sows.

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Video: Farm Health Guardian | Digital Biosecurity in Real Time

Disease risk, biosecurity, and real-time monitoring continue to be major topics across the pork industry. In this episode of Swine Web Industry Perspectives, presented by Farm Health Guardian, we discuss how digital biosecurity and real-time data are changing the way producers think about herd protection, people movement, and operational decision-making.

The conversation explores:

disease risk in modern pork production,

the impact of people movement on biosecurity,

the importance of real-time monitoring,

digital biosecurity technology,

and how Farm Health Guardian developed tools designed to support modern swine operations.

As the industry continues focusing on prevention, preparedness, and operational efficiency, connected technologies and actionable data are becoming increasingly important parts of modern herd health management.