Checking gilts for heat is time-consuming and therefore often an issue on pig farms. In cooperation with the Institut für Tierzucht und Haustiergenetik (Institute of Animal Breeding and Genetics) of Giessen University, Big Dutchman has developed a computer program that allows pig breeders for the first time to employ only gilts that are sexually mature and ready for service for insemination or estrus synchronisation. EstrusControl takes over heat checks and analysis. The pig equipment supplier from Vechta presents the new analysis tool for the first time at EuroTier 2016.
EstrusControl automatically evaluates the data gathered by the heat detector and thus provide reliable information on the gilts’ heat cycles. Especially farmers who do not want use hormones for synchronisation can benefit from this new tool of the German equipment supplier.
The Big Dutchman innovation offers plenty of advantages: EstrusControl is integrated into the BigFarmNet management software as a control element. It visualizes the gilts’ visits at the heat detectors in a very concise manner. Besides the number of times each sow visited the detector, pig producers can see for each individual animal as well as for a defined period of time whether and how many sows are in heat and whether a predetermined number of sows in heat has already been reached. And best of all: The tool also calculates the date of the next heat.
Within the same time frame a farmer may need, the analysis tool offers a significantly improved quality of data. Only sexually mature gilts and those ready for service are inseminated, thus reducing costs for insemination. Moreover, studies have shown that the farrowing results of these animals are better. Proceeds for pig breeders therefore increase.