We are pleased to announce that ITSI, inc. has been selected by Zeitler AG. of Switzerland as the exclusive distributor of the TG 5 loin tattoo machine.

Zeitler AG is a third generation company specializing in the design of precision mechanics. The TG 5 has been under development for 7 years and is constantly under going upgrades of components and technology. The machine has been available to European producers for 5 years, and those using it are receiving premiums of up to $20.00 per hog due to the clear identification which facilitates the application of European quality assurance programs. Furthermore, animal care and welfare programs have endorsed the TG 5 as the only acceptable means of identifying pigs by tattoo.

The tattoo can be applied to piglets between 10 and 20 days of age. Applied to the loin, it penetrates to a maximum depth of 2.0 mm. Due to the shallow nature of the tattoo, there is no blood at time of tattooing and the tattoo can be trimmed from the carcass without financial loss to the packer.

Even though maintenance requirements on the unit are minimal, Jim and our service technician spent a week in Switzerland learning about the ins and outs of assembling and servicing the TG 5. This will enable us to provide fast and efficient turn-around service when required.

ITSI will have a TG 5 unit on display at World Pork Expo and the Ontario Pork Congress. Plan to stop in and check it out, or phone for the special introductory offer!

SORT analysis allows the classification of (boar) semen samples based on their osmotic resistance. This classification expresses capacity of the ejaculate in terms of fertility and preservation. Results of the HOST test have shown a correlation value of r=0.40 (p<0.01) with farrowing rate. These tests, therefore, provide a significant management tool for both commercial and in-house AI units. Even natural mating programs can benefit from these tests as expectations about a boar's reproductive potential can be established early in his reproductive life.

Semen analysis services based on SORT and HOST will be available through van Eeden & Associates in the very near future. Stay tuned for more information.

A few cool-boxes have been coming back with ceased-up fans. A little preventive maintenance can save a lot of trouble. Remove four screws in the side panel. Using a soft (paint) brush gently remove the thick layers of accumulated dust. Blow out the remaining dust with a little compressed air.

If you are returning a Cool-box for service please provide the following information inside the box:

• farm name
• tel/fax number
• problem with the unit

In the interest of bio-security we must ask you to clean the unit (inside and out) before sending it in for service.

World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa. June 10-12,1999. Cattle barn: 2035-2037

Ontario Pork Congress in Stratford, Ontario. June 24-25, 1999. Blue building: 188-122

Wow, this year is passing incredibly fast. It seems that we are constantly on the go searching out new technologies to assist the Canadian swine industry in producing hogs more efficiently. We feel we've been quite successful recently, but please take some time to determine this for yourself.

In February Astrid and Jim were the guests of Drs. Pedro Gárcia-Casado, Raúl Sánchez-Sánchez and Begonia Pérez-Llano at Gestión Veterinaria Porcina, S.L. in Madrid, Spain. These people are actively working in the area of swine reproduction, and demonstrated embryo transfer technology, semen freezing techniques and applied SORT and HOST protocols. We had frank, in-depth discussions about the difficulties of applying proven research to practical production and are pleased to report that these people are down-to-earth and a knowledgeable resource.

Last fall, ITSI took the plunge and opened an office in Ames, Iowa. ITSI USA has enabled us to serve the swine industry in the United States more effectively and has also enabled us to ship products to Canada more economically. The office is managed by Keith Roberts, who has been a part of the hog industry for the past 10 years. Keith can be reached at:

tel: 1-877-ITSI-USA

(1-877-487-4872)
fax: 515-663-9705

In early January of this year we introduced a new boar semen extender. This product is an eight day extender, with excellent semen preservation capability. The manufacturer has decided to use Lincospectin as the antibiotic in the product rather than the more commonly used Gentamycin. This decision was based on the tendency of Gentamycin to turn yellow over time. We are in the process of assembling guidelines and a kit that will enable individual users to add Gentamycin to the extender if so desired.

There has been some confusion regarding the price of ITSI's bottles and caps. Please note that the bottles are graduated and sold by the set. Effective May 1, 1999 the price on bottles and caps has been lowered to $0.24; 500 bottles with caps per case.

As you may be aware, the province of Alberta has been divided into two telephone area codes. Albert Eringfeld, based in Edmonton, is affected by the new exchange. Please update your files to show 780 rather than 403 as the area code for Albert.

As always, we invite you to send us your comments about this issue of the Under the Lens.

Telephone Numbers:

E-mail: information@itsi-ai.com

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