April 6, 2012

Rattlerow Seghers importing deep frozen pig semen to Brazil

Belgian pig genetics company, Rattlerow Seghers, will be importing deep-frozen Piétrain semen to Brazil.

Frozen semen brings the advantage of disease prevention. Brazil is known to be free from Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS), which helps keeping pork production costs low. Brazil would like to continue this status.

Deep frozen semen comes with a long shelf life and it is possible to eliminate all risks in advance. The main downside of deep frozen semen is a reduced fertility.

Apart from being free from PRRS, the terminal sires used are free from Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, brucellosis, Swine Vesicular Disease, Classical Swine Fever and Aujeszky's Disease.

The Piétrain semen which is exported is being used in major pig farms, populated with Danbred sow breeds.

The company also targets Ukraine as a market for its deep frozen semen.