[nelson]

Facts:

Berkshire sow 6 years this coming May.

Last litter born May 2011 - 12 healthy piglets - mum went off food 5 days after farrowing but with care returned to normal health. Left her over winter to rest.

Put her with the boar for the first time (previously AI'd successfully  twice with result of good litters).

Now has the opportunity to be with a unrelated boar for the first time in 3 years she has returned to serve 3 times now. Each time I have notice a milky white discharge about 10 days before returning on all occasions.

Sows health looks good, shiny coat clear eyes - boar is proven - in fact he has large University fees to take care of - joking aside - We will talk to our vet this week but would appreciate any ideas. She is a much valued bloodline Berkshire sow to us here  in France and has produced cracking piglets.

thanks

[robert waddell]

they just don't last for ever some get beyond 6 years some don't 

[nelson]

Thanks Robert - I think deep down we suspect that .....but maybe

[robert waddell]

there is only so many chances you can give them then it is costing you money
far better feeding one that is productive

[lill]

Hi Nelson,
As your sow is now 6 years old she is (don't want to upset you here) she could be passed it. Some sows by the time they get to 4 years old, the litter sizes deminish quite a bit, and that is the start of them being unproductive. As your sow has had large litters and just not taking to the boar,  she could be passed her productive life. The whiteish discharge you are seeing, could she not have an infection an antibiotic would clear that up? Has your sow always settled first time to AI? When was the last time your sow had natural matting? How long after her last set of piglets did you put her to the boar? Sometimes if there is a long time between weaniing and getting back to the boar or AI the more difficult it is for her to get put back in pig, remember she is still cycleing every 3 weeks and if left for too long she basically says f..k it, no doing this no more. I really do think though as she is 6 she is passed it. 

[HappyHippy]

Here's me to disagree  
I've got 2 Large Black sows, they'll be 7 this year. They last weaned litters late in 2010 (according to the previous owner) and one was in-pig to a Mangalitza, she farrowed September 2011 and produced 9 piglets. We'd tried AI several times with both sows to no avail, and after speaking to other owners of LB's who'd had similar AI woes, decided to borrow a boar - she's now in-pig  Granted I'm not expecting a big litter from her as it's been so long since she was in-pig but like your Berkshire, she's a rare line so even one gilt will be good enough for me I know of pigs older than your girl who are still breeding - the 'trick' is just to keep breeding them and not give them the chance to lay down fat around the overies.
I'd be thinking about the discharge though - is this something that's only recently started ? It could be a sign of something else. Might be worth trying a different boar ? (maybe she doesn't fancy that one  ) or give the AI another shot - but then I'm an eternal optimist 
Good luck whatever you decide 
Karen

[Berkshire Boy]

I have a 7 year old Berkshire sow that went a year without getting pregnant so I put her in with one of my other boars and she has just had her second litter with him. If she is a rare line I would definately try another boar before you give up on her.

[robert waddell]

it all comes down to the owner  there was another pig just like this one i advised at the time to get rid of her  he kept her for another 2 years before relenting and cashing her in she even looked in pig and developed an udder of  sorts but never produced even the boar was suspect for a while
even gilts can be like this we have had them  there is only so long you can keep them without producing

[princesspiggy]

when delilah had a white discharge it was uterine infection which did return. the first time she was really off colour. we since culled her.

[nelson]

Thanks for the advice - this is what we plan to do:

She and the boar are currently at it! This will be her 3rd go. I noticed the discharge after the first time with him about half way in between the cycle - we do inspect our pigs back ends regularly "Butt watch".  So knew this was unusual for her. No smell and it disappears quickly. Gut feel said she hasn't fallen.

We do not have another unrelated Berkshire boar, only an OSB waiting in the wings. So after checking with the vet about the discharge we will probably have a go at AI again (unless he suggests something else)  as we have been successful there. She came to us in pig 3 years ago by natural mating. Consistently high litters and as I said she looks fit not fat. She is a rare line here in France.

We will not hold on to her if she cannot produce again as that is what she does best. We are already gathering ourselves for tomorrow when we say goodbye to a Tamworth sow who hasn't clicked with the boar.  We have had her for a year and have tried everything possible.

So back to reality we know what we have to do....but there is always hope. Will let you know what transpires.

[Berkshire Boy]

I think I would be a bit concerned that I have 2 unrelated sows and 2 boars that don't seem to be doing the job. In my limited experience unproductive sows are rare and you have 2 do you think it could be something common to your herd.

[robert waddell]

something lacking in there diet

[nelson]

Sorry Berkshire Boy if my post was confusing - should of said that we picked up the Tamworth sow in a poor state and couldn't walk away so we gave her a home for a year got her back to to looking good again but clearly was not going to get in pig. too late. The Tamworth never really cycled regularly  even with medical treatment. So now hence the decision to cull her.
The boar that is running with my Berkshire sow has also another sow in with him and she is in pig. Both sows have lived with each other for a while.  I wouldn't want to put the OSB boar with her as he is too young. The rest of my Berkshire herd are reproducing very well by the said boar.

[Berkshire Boy]

Thats good then, as I said before I'd give her a last chance maybe you will have better luck with AI.