In these times of heightened concerns about biosecurity, it is now more important than ever to secure the health status of your herd while still keeping the focus on improving sow productivity.

How?

Dedicate 10 per cent of your sow herd to purebreds (GGP/GP’s) designated specifically for the production of replacement F1 hybrid parent gilts for the herd.

The top 60 per cent of LR purebreds in Freneystown have an average born alive per litter of 14.23!

When animals of this calibre are mated with purebred Large White GGP semen from Hermitage, there is a predicted eight per cent benefit in born alive in the crossbred litter performance.

The benefits include:

• Possibility of maximising sow herd reproductive performance, better control of progress
• Possibility of closing the herd with the GGP programme
• All high health gilts delivered to the farm arrive with a known breeding value (MLI)
• Access to the unique award winning Hermitage BLUP breeding programme
• Delivering an eight per cent increase in numbers born alive per litter when crossed with the opposite Hermitage maternal line (LW semen × LR female) to produce a true F1 Parent gilt
• Production of uniform high performing robust slaughter generation.

Purebred Landrace GP’s are now available to purchase directly from the company's Nucleus farm in several ways.

Gilt purchase options include:

1. Purchasing gilts at the standard 100kg and introducing them into the herd through a quarantine facility in accordance with herd vet recommendations
2. Weaner gilt piglets - weaned piglets straight off the sow at 28 days of age in accordance with herd vet recommendations
3. Weaner gilts (heavier) - gilts at 30kg+ can also be provided to suit specific clients.

Hermitage advises you to consult your veterinary surgeon for the best protocol of stock introduction into your herd. Specific blood testing of animals from the donor herd can be arranged on request.

For more information from Hermitage Genetics, click here.