SAFEMATE™Assisted Boar Collection System SAFEMATE™ was specifically designed to improve boar collection productivity and quality. It is designed to answer the needs of small-to-mid size AI centers or centers where the building lay out does not allow for more sophisticated equipment. SAFEMATE™ is unique in the simplicity to install and to use. The SAFEMATE™ is a disposable AV (artificial vagina) that will last for approximately 25 collections. To use the SAFEMATE, the technician inserts the boar’s extended penis into the prepared AV, then connects a collection cone to collect the ejaculate. The AV with the cone are then placed under the dummy onto a specific rail. While the boar is getting collected, this allows the technician to work with another boar. This closed system of collection minimizes bacterial contamination during collection.
Simple to get started
Improved Sanitation (2)
The installation of the SAFEMATE™ equipment is extremely simple. A starter kit is available for first time users. The kit contains everything needed to equip two collection dummies* and get started.
Germ count
10 000
Simple to use With minimal practice the technique of ‘hooking up’ boars can be mastered by most all collectors in a short period of time.
0 Hand collection SAFEMATE
Sanitation SAFEMATE™ provides a completely enclosed collection system. The possibility of environmental contamination is greatly reduced. This translates into a research proven reduction of the bacterial contamination during collection by up to 90% as compared to manual collection (2).
Improved labor efficiency (3)
Collections per hour
8
6
Hand collection
SAFEMATE
4
Efficiency SAFEMATE™ allows the technicians to collect multiple boars at the same time and do other tasks while the boar is being collected. The SAFEMATE™ replaces the hands of the collector allowing for hands free collection. The SAFEMATE™ has been developped by professionnals for professionals. It has been extensively tried and tested in the USA and Europe before finalizing its design (3).
2
Comfort and safety With SAFEMATE™ time spent in potentially dangerous contact with boars is greatly reduced. This provides a better and safer working environment for employees collecting boars. It also greatly decreases the time spent performing procedures that lead to repetitive motion injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.
Maximum stimulation of the boars during collection The unique design of the SAFEMATE™ AV replicates the sow’s cervix. The innovative material used in the construction of the AV is very soft and provides excellent grip and comfort for optimal stimulation.
* Will fit most dummies. Enquire about the compatibility with your dummies before ordering.
SATISFIED USERS COMMENTSAnABOUT SAFEMATE™: early adopter describes his experience The AI center of the Belgium group DANIS has been using the SAFEMATE™ for over 1 year. This boar stud houses 150 boars, mostly of Belgium pietrain genetics. Franck d’Oosterlinck, the center manager talks about his experience with SAFEMATE™. Why did you volunteer to test the SAFEMATE™? Franck d’Oosterlinck: “We were looking at different solutions for saving labor at the centre. The SAFEMATE™ appeared to be the best option for us based on the layout of our existing building. In addition, we wanted to be able to collect some boars with leg issues directly in their pens. The SAFEMATE™ was found to be the most flexible system.” From your prospective, what are the biggest advantages of the SAFEMATE™? “First, the time saving. We are collecting boars a lot faster with SAFEMATE™. We do not have to stay 10 minutes next to the boars.” The next benefit would be the comfort, “we do not have to bend over or knell down several times per hour to collect the boars, it is a relief for the technicians.” “Regarding the technical aspects of the SAFEMATE™, the clamp holding the artificial vagina during collection, is well designed and fits boars of all different sizes.” As a side note, the use of the SAFEMATE™ requires a small adaptation period for some technicians.
What are the production performances of the SAFEMATE™? “When we evaluated the number of doses produced per boars with SAFEMATE™, compared to the manual collection technique, we noticed an increase in our doses of 5% over manual collection.” How do you use SAFEMATE™? “There are 4 steps when you collect a boar. 1• The first part of the ejaculate is contaminated with bacteria; we do not collect this part. After this part we connect the boar to the SAFEMATE™ and attach the collection cone to the artificial vagina. Then we secure the SAFEMATE™ inside the clamp under the dummy. 2• Once the SAFEMATE™ is securely positioned under the dummy, the boar ejaculates the second part of the semen unassisted. This is the part of the ejaculate that we keep. 3• During the third stage, we can find boars ejaculating some boar plug. 4• The last part of the ejaculate is composed of the poorer fraction of the semen. Ideally, we prefer using the SAFEMATE™ with boars who take their time and are not rushing the collection.”
What is the proportion of boars that you are collecting with SAFEMATE™? “We are currently collecting 75% of the boars with SAFEMATE™. We know that we could collect 90% of them with the system. We noticed that it is not up to the boars to get used to the SAFEMATE™ but for the technician to get comfortable with using it. Since the use of the SAFEMATE™ is a change, for the boars but also for the technician, the transition required some time. At the beginning, it was awkward for the technicians, and they were a little uncomfortable and uneasy. The boars sensed the lack of confidence the technicians were feeling. After a short adaptation period, the technicians became more proficient with SAFEMATE™ and today the technicians and the boars are very comfortable with the SAFEMATE™ system.”
DIFFERENT KITSDeveloped for your specific needs SAFEMATE™ Starter kit 021939 To help the first time user getting started, IMV Technologies offers a complete starter kit containing all the necessary hardware to equip 2 dummies and the consumable to collect 100 boars.
SAFEMATE™ Collection kit 021938 SAFEMATE™ Collection kit contains all the required items to do 100 collections: • 4 artificial vaginas : each designed for 25 collections. • 100 liners: for each collection the AV is fitted with a disposable liner, avoiding the risk of cross contamination. • 100 collection cones: one collection cone is fitted with the artificial vagina. It includes a built-in filter and bag end ensure a total protection against contamination from the environment
ITEMS SOLD SEPARATELY: Dummy 021043 Adjustable height & inclination. Shaped for easy collection.
Rail Kit 021596 The rail mounts under the dummy and serves as the holder of the clamp and collection bag holder. Fully adjustable to different size boars. 2 rails/kit
Clamp 021941 The clamp holds the SAFEMATE AV and attaches to the rail for collection