The document summarizes a swine reproduction decision tree tool created by Dr. Donald Levis and others to help pork producers troubleshoot reproductive issues. It was funded by several state pork producer associations and companies. The tool contains over 1,000 questions and answers covering topics like gilt and sow reproductive problems. It is available online for an annual license fee, with free access for educators. The document demonstrates the tool and its aim to simply address common swine reproduction questions.

1. Swine Reproduction Decision Tree
National Swine Reproduction Guide -
A troubleshooting and management tool
Dr. Donald G. Levis
Levis Worldwide Swine Consultancy
5910 South 88th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska 68526-9486
E-mail: donlevis@hotmail.com
1PORK Academy
June 4, 2014
World Pork Exposition

2. Content of Presentation
• Why was the Swine Reproduction Decision Tree
developed?
• Who prepared the document?
• Who provided funding for developing the
document?
• Computer format and preparation of
information
• User fee
• Demonstrate how the tool works
2

3. Where are the 5,757,000 swine breeding animals located?*
* Quarterly Hogs and Pigs (December 2013), USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
870,000
80,000
38,000
500,000
280,000
970,000
40,000
500,000
35,000
1,500
390,000
170,000
100,000170,000
62,000
150,000
420,000
345,000
110,000
14,000
165,000
35,000
500
2,000
700
17,000
24,000
200
4,000
9,000
20,000
19,000
3,500
46,000
3,000
75,000
4,000
9,000
600
1,000
1,000
2,000
4,000
400
1,500
500
700
500
3

4. Extension FTE (red numbers) with subject matter that can
influence reproductive performance*
* As of: June 4, 2014; a “0” indicates the state has no Animal Science extension swine specialists
4
2.95
0
0.75
2.12
2.1
7.95
0
1.92
0
0
.75
2.16
0.75
1.62
0
0
0
2.37
2.25
0.15
1.1
0.30
0
0
0 700
0
0
0
0.75
0
0
0
0
1.0
0.75
0
0
0
0 600
0
0 1,000
0 2,000
0 4,000
0 400
0 1,500
0 500
0 700
0
00
500,000
165,000
970,000
390,000
170,000 345,000
500,000
280,000 170,000
100,000
870,000
420,000
150,000
110,000
80,000
75,000
46,000
35,000
14,000
62,000
40,000
38,000
4,000
35,000
24,000
20,000
19,000
1,500
4,000
3,000
500
500
2,000
17,000
9,000
3,500
9,000
1,000
200

5. University Swine Extension FTE by subject matter within
United States of America
9.50
8.10
5.22
4.20
2.27
1.60
0.85
0
2
4
6
8
10
ExtensionFTE
5
(3)
(19)
(10)
(10)
(9)
(6)
(4)
( ) is number of specialists
Total number of people: 61

6. States that have a university Extension swine specialists
with a PhD in swine reproductive physiology*
* As of: June 4, 2014 6
IL – Knox
IN – Stewart
PA – Hagan
VA – Estienne
**
**
** **
0.6
0.15
0.6 0.25

7. In summary, universities have significant gaps in
providing help to pork producers who want
assistance in solving reproductive problems.
• Number of states without an Animal Science
Extension Swine Specialists: 32
• Total number of breeding animals in states
without an Animal Science Extension Swine
Specialists: 622,600
• Total number of breeding animals in states
without an academically trained (PhD) Extension
Swine Reproductive Physiologists:
– 4,813,000
– 84.6% of breeding animals
7

8. Lead author:
Dr. Donald Levis
(Reproductive physiologist)
Levis Worldwide Swine Consultancy
• Dr. Mark Estienne
(Reproductive physiologist)
Virginia Tech University
• Dr. Wayne Singleton - retired
(Reproductive physiologist)
Purdue University
• Dr. Rodney Baker
(Swine veterinarian)
Iowa State University
• Dr. Timothy Safranski
(Swine genetics)
University of Missouri
• Dr. William Flowers
(Reproductive physiologist)
North Carolina State University
• Dr. Robert Knox
(Reproductive physiologist)
University of Illinois
• Dr. Kenneth Stalder
(Swine genetics)
Iowa State University
• Dr. Mark Knauer
(Swine genetics)
North Carolina State University
8
Committee chair: Dr. David Meisinger, US Pork Center of Excellence

9. Objectives of the computer format and preparation
of the information:
Keep everything as simple as possible
Make the computer program highly user friendly
and as simple as possible (no fancy animation
stuff that takes up a lot of memory space)
Make the appearance of the information as
simple as possible
Answer the question in simple terms and
provide documentation for the answer
Search document for specific term
Have the information readily available to all
pork producers and allied industries.
9

10. Total number of questions and answers
Item Number of questions and answers
Gilt reproductive problems
• Puberty attainment 189
• Too small of gilt pool 92
• Low litter size 52
• Low farrowing rate 64
Sow reproductive problems
• Low sow longevity 104
• Low farrowing rate 121
• Low litter size 77
• Extended weaning-to-estrus interval 56
• High pre-weaning mortality 189
Semen quality problem
• Low farrowing rate/Low litter size 89
Total 1,033
10

11. User fee
• Pork Industry License
– United States and Canada: $75 per year
Companies with multiple users should purchase one
license per every three users.
– Other countries: $500 per year
Companies with multiple users should purchase one
license per every three users.
• Academic License
– University or community college educator: Free
Only available during the semester/quarter the class
is taught.
11

12. To order annual license:
http://www.usporkcenter.org/Store/default.aspx
If questions, contact:
Chelsey Branderhorst
USPCE – Program Manager
Telephone: 515-223-2641
Email: cbranderhorst@usporkcenter.org
12

13. Financial sponsors
• National Pork Checkoff
• Iowa Pork Producers Association
• Illinois Pork Producers Association
• North Carolina Pork Producers Association
• Hog Slats from North Carolina
• Tri-M from Iowa
• ReproQuest from Wisconsin
• Genetiporc USA from Minnesota
13

14. Demonstration on Internet
14