The popular switch to AI has brought about new responsibilities. Breeding herd success relies on 3 general areas: semen quality, technician ability, and female fertility. Shortcomings in any one of these areas will reduce productivity. The most important responsibility for the technician is good heat detection. Purchasing from a source that has a reliable quality assurance program can ensure semen quality. The semen should be stored in a fridge 17 to 18 degrees C and rotated two times per day. Hormones emitted from a boar that is present are needed for good heat detection. Head to head contact and physical stimulation from the boar helps significantly to get the sow into a standing heat. Make sure that the boars are not housed near the sows in order to avoid habituation (sows getting used to the boars presence and becoming unresponsive to the boar). Sows who come into estrus late after weaning should be bred ASAP, and sows that come into heat early after weaning should be delayed breeding. One good, thorough heat detection per day should be sufficient for the sows (gilts should be checked twice a day regardless). A late breeding can result in reduced immunity by the sow and compromise reproduction quality. The challenge for each breeding manager is to develop an estrus detection program and an accompanying insemination schedule that results in a satisfactory level of reproductive performance.