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The Canadian hog industry, is a very prosperous market. In 2012, 21 120 505 hogs were slaughtered in Canada. However, the number of hog herds in Canada are decreasing. As a result of the decrease in number of herds, market hogs must become more efficient so that there is no shortage of pork with the growing population. In order to improve carcass composition and efficiencies in market hogs, quality genetics must be used.

Canadian Breeds

In Canada, primarily Yorkshire cross Landrace sows are used as breeding stock. These two breeds are used due to their beneficial traits. Yorkshires weigh between 250-450 kg and average 12 pigs each litter . Also, Yorkshires have a short sexual maturity at 200 days and have more beneficial traits such as increased number of teats . Landraces typically weigh between 310 and 350 kg and wean 11 pigs/litter . These crossbreeds are then bred to Duroc boars to produce efficient market hogs. With the superior genetics in Canadian pigs, exporting boar semen will allow for foreign herds to become more advanced. In order to increase efficiencies, good genetic lines from sows that possess desirable traits must be present. For example, a good breeding gilt would be one who has good conformation so strong feet and legs, more than 12 teats and is from a sow who weaned more than 9 piglets per litter . Desirable breeding boars also have good conformation, full hams, and uniform curve at back . Most importantly, the introduction of Canadian genetics to international herds will significantly increase the efficiencies in market hogs. For example, pigs will gain more weight per kg of consumption. Currently Canadian pigs have a feed conversion ratio of 2.75:1 . By reducing this ratio, pigs will grow faster and larger therefore farmers raise a larger hog in the same period of time. With better genetics, the composition of the pig will also be better since the boars have been selected for traits such as level of back fat, loin depth and intramuscular fat marbling . Finally, a major benefit to importing boar semen is that the number of pigs per sow will increase.

Environmental Effects

Boar semen is different from other semen. It is very temperature sensitive and is best used fresh. It cannot be frozen therefore extenders must be used so that the semen can last for more than a few days. Extenders are added to semen to increase time of storage and quality. The use of extenders in semen is essential in order for the semen to be stored and still useful after several days. Extenders function to allow multiple inseminations from a single ejaculate. Extenders provide temperature protection for sperm while reducing the metabolic rate of sperm cells in cool storage. The extender functions to provide membrane stabilization in cool temperatures, energy sources for sperm metabolism, pH buffering from sperm cell waste, ions for membrane and cell balance, and antibiotics to prevent growth of microbes that can cause disease and compete for nutrients. . Therefore, extenders are essential to maintain the viability of the semen and are required to last for the delivery to distant countries. Boar semen must always be stored between 15 and 19 ℃ . This is because temperatures over 19 ℃ decrease the shelf life of sperm . Since sperm are alive, they require energy however when they are stored at around 17 ℃, they become slightly immobile thus using less energy . Therefore when the semen is kept at temperatures above 19 ℃, the sperm use their energy and die becoming useless . Conversely, if sperm experience temperatures below 15 ℃, they suffer cold shock and die . Also, boar semen cannot experience excess light exposure since it also damages the sperm . These requirements strictly determine transportation methods. For best results, semen must be delivered in a temperature-controlled box to ensure that a constant temperature and favourable conditions are maintained.

Genetics Companies

Alliance Genetics Canada is a Canadian genetics company providing hog farmers with boar semen for over 50 years . The company is located in St. Thomas, Ontario and has a company size between 11 and 50 employees . AGC consists of 13 breeders with a total of 8000 purebred sows that are used to select boars from . Alliance Genetics breeds for strong appetites, outstanding feed conversions, rapid growth and number of pigs/sow/year; all desirable traits in the pork industry . The company states that they can, “Deliver optimum level of backfat, loin depth, intramuscular fat marbling, colour and texture to meet each unique market” . Alliance Genetics Canada has a wide selection of different breeds of boars ranging from Landrace to Yorkshire, Duroc and Pietran . The semen is sold by the service, which is 2 bottles since sows are bred twice during their heat . One service costs between $13.50 and $15.50 depending on the boar of choice . However AGC provides discounts for customers buying more than 17 services . For more information about Alliance Genetics, there is a link to email the company found on their website. Seeing as the hog industry in Canada is large, companies are very competitive therefore there are many possible companies that can export semen. Two other major Canadian genetics companies are Fast Genetics and Genesus. Fast Genetics is headquartered in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and provides genetics for many large herds worldwide . Fast Genetics specializes in improving their sire lines and currently supplies to the Asian and Chinese market . For more information, phone numbers to many locations can be found on there website . Genesus’ head office is located in Oakville, Manitoba and has many locations throughout North America . This company has many maternal lines, which have proven excellence to better serve their customers . For more information, Jim Long the President/CEO can be contacted at 1-519-471-6800 and there is a link to contact the company on their website. Not only are other Canadian companies competitions but also there are many genetics companies worldwide whom can compete for business to Nepal. Hog genetics are technologically advanced in Europe and Asia therefore they would be able to provide Nepal with semen for cheaper since the cost of delivery would be much less as they are located much closer to Nepal than Canada is. Topigs is an international genetics company who has a mission of delivering genetics that provide the most economic solutions for professional producers . Topigs aims to produce pigs that gain the most kilograms of pork per kilogram of feed . Topigs delivers to over 50 countries and is proud to be the global leader in pig breeding and artificial insemination .

Canadian Advantages to Exporting Boar Semen

The exportation of boar semen brings many advantages to Canada. Firstly, it is a new market for Canadian companies. Since there will be more exportation, production must increase. With the increase in production, farmers will make more money selling the semen to companies. As a result of higher production, more jobs will be available for the collection and processing of the semen. Exporting boar semen will be beneficial to genetics companies because they will be selling more therefore earning higher incomes. By selling semen, there is further potential for more business between Canada and other countries. If successful, these countries may begin to look for more Canadian technologies and products that will assist in improving their agricultural industry. Therefore exportation of boar semen will benefit Canadian farmers and companies which in turn will benefit the pork industry and potentially increase the amount of business with many countries.