Breeders should also keep in mind that you need to do your part as well. Fertility is a complex beast. You can’t just point your finger at the boar studs when your sows don’t settle. Semen quality is a must, but you also have to manage your females properly if you expect high conception rates and big litters.

This is a very complex issue which impacts many people in the show pig industry; breeders and exhibitors alike. Many are understandably upset as they feel as though they are victims of this new policy and that they were blindsided without enough notice or time to make adjustments to their breeding program to comply with the new policy. In response to the outpouring of complaints, the Hampshire board has made adjustments to the policy, publishing lists of approved sires, adjusting grand-fathering rules, testing of junior show hogs and other details. It seems as though the dialog with breeders continues and that the situation may still be “fluid”. Many have asked my opinion on the subject, and I’ve opted to share my thoughts here in The Pig Pen.