Try Frozen by / Mallorie Boggs Do you ever reminisce about boars from years ago? Those that made an impact on your herd either in terms of show quality or meat production? Many of these boars were popular in production 10, 20 and even beyond 30 years ago and because of the natural circle of life, they can’t be used in a sow’s next heat cycle. Due to innovation, cost-effectiveness and people like Dustin Bauer protecting these impactful genetics, it is now easier than ever to use these boars with the advantage of frozen semen.
use whenever they need it,” said Dustin. The option of using frozen semen also alleviates the risk of packaged semen not being delivered on time, having options for last-minute mating decisions and boars not producing enough to meet the demand. So how does the process work? A regular size dose of fresh semen is concentrated down to a 5ml sized straw. To thaw the semen all you need is warm water, a thermometer, and a timer. When you want to breed a sow with semen that has been frozen, drain the concentrated straw into a bottle with thawing extender to mix in a 65 ml breeding dose. Dustin has put together some great information videos on his website and Facebook that discuss this in more detail.
CryoSires is family owned and operated company located in Verona, Ill. With the mission of providing a higher quality product, Dustin Bauer works with breeders and boar studs across the U.S. to provide frozen semen services. Dustin’s passion for the livestock industry and over 15 years of experience helped fuel his purpose for starting CryoSires. A large advantage of using frozen semen is cost-effectiveness for both breeders and boar Although frozen semen has been used in studs. CryoSires has a standard processing fee the swine industry for many years, the of $140 per boar collection, up to 10 frozen improvement in extenders, controlled rate straws. If a boar produces more than 10 straws, freezing equipment, and advancement in there’s a $13 charge per addition. Every custom artificial insemination (A.I.) tools have allowed collection is a full collection of a boar. The only breeders and studs of all sizes to implement more expensive upfront charge to breeders is frozen semen in their herds. the cost of a liquid nitrogen storage tank to keep the straws stored in. Using frozen semen in swine not only preserves genetics to use later, but it also provides an CryoSires prioritizes quality, concentration, element of convenience. “If they have their and motility in every boar. When the straw has mattings planned out and know what boars been thawed and if the handling instructions they want to use, it makes sense for them were followed properly, frozen semen should to stock up on the boars they want before have the same quality of the product that breeding season so they have it on hand to CryoSires tested for in their lab. Experience Berkshire / 21
