In this episode, Dr. Robert Knox from the University of Illinois breaks down key factors impacting fertility in the breeding herd. He explains how estrus expression in weaned sows drives herd performance, why conception failures occur even in well-managed systems, and what litter size trends mean for pigs born alive. Dr. Knox also discusses fixed time AI, gilt development targets, and practical ways producers can reduce variation and improve reproductive consistency. Listen now on all major platforms.

"In a perfect world, non-pregnant females would return to estrus 21 days after breeding, but in reality, only about half express estrus, creating a significant challenge."

Meet the guest: Dr. Robert Knox is a professor and swine extension specialist in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Illinois. His work focuses on applied swine reproductive management, fertility diagnostics, estrus behavior, and reproductive efficiency in commercial systems. Dr. Knox supports producers worldwide by translating research into practical solutions for swine production. 

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What you will learn:

• (00:00) Highlight
• (01:45) Introduction
• (02:33) Guest background
• (04:27) Estrus behavior
• (07:41) Fertility failures
• (25:45) Fixed time AI
• (33:16) Data analysis
• (35:43) Final three questions

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