·          Most of the producers would expose the gilts to a boar to improve puberty and heat - one producers suggested to take gilts to the boar(s) on a daily basis instead of taking boar(s) to the gilts. That way the gilts would be used to handling and familiarised with the stock people

·          Familiarising gilts with the AI/ service area is important - especially if you are an outdoor producers, as the gilts often get a shock when brought into the service tent

·          Good and long isolation and acclimatisation periods should be in place, but are they in practice?

·          Producers using Regumate had found improvements in performance and easier to meet gilt requirements when batch farrowing

·          There was a wide spread in rations used for gilt rearing  - from sow dry and lactation ration to finishing diets and specialised gilt rearer. The key is to look at DE and lysine content, and look at condition of the gilts

·          Most producers serve gilts after age (220-240 days) rather than P2, weight or no. of estruses

·          Producers discussed the option of using a specialised gilt lactation diet with a higher lysine content as gilts are still growing animals during the first period of lactation, and a special diet can help to reduce loss of gilt condition and 2nd parity problems. Some producers were keen to give to try it

 One of the producers commented on the evening "We do it every day without really thinking about it - tonight has really challenged my management routines"