JSR Genetics has invested in a cooling system that constantly monitors indoor and outdoor temperatures within the company's artificial insemination boar accommodation. The system feeds cold air via a fan system into the boar stud when the outdoor temperatures rise above 17C, helping to keep the boars' core body temperatures at the optimum level.
Semen can become damaged as a result of boars' prolonged exposure to high temperatures. The system, which cools the air by drawing it through water, maintains the indoor temperature within an optimum range for quality semen production.
"After an initial research period, the installation work was undertaken in spring 2013 to ensure it was completed and in place for the high temperatures that were forecast for the summer months," said Steve Cook, artificial insemination production manager at JSR. "The system allows us to keep the boars cool and protected, so that we can continue to deliver the highest possible quality products to our customers, leading to successful farrowing and conception, whatever the weather.
"It is particularly important for us to be able to keep indoor temperatures to a minimum at this time of year when demand for semen is high, as farmers serve more gilts in their efforts to minimize the impact of summer infertility," said Cook.
