Danes to test breeding 'social pigs' to optimize genetic progress

DanBred has announced plans to conduct tests to see if it is possible to breed “social pigs” to reduce aggression in pen groups and allow all pen-mates to realize their genetic potential, leading to more productive pigs.
The study will be carried out by the department of genetic research and development at the Danish Pig Research Centre, which owns and manages the DanBred brand, with the objective to optimize genetic progress, including daily weight gain. Research will begin in 2013, but the company said preparations are already underway. The pigs used will be offspring from specially selected breeding boars. “Selecting for social pigs is unique, as it can potentially identify pigs that are so-called ‘team players’," said a spokeswoman for the project. "These pigs are expected to create a good atmosphere through their behavior. They could allow easy access to feed, enabling fast and increased daily weight gain in all of their pen-mates.”
The growth rates of pigs in each pen, together with the genetic relationships between the animals, will be used to evaluate the effect stable mates have on each other. If an increase in daily weight gain should be observed, this will not only be an expression of a pigs’ genetic potential, but also of the "social" performance of its pen-mates.
“Several 'social' traits have the potential to create improved animal welfare," said the spokeswoman. "Interaction of pigs is also reflected in play, in hormonal effects, the spreading of disease and the establishment of hierarchies. So far, an association has been found between 'social' genetic effect and the ability to establish ranking order within a group. This could lead to less fighting and, therefore, improved animal welfare."

Hubbard Feeds meeting highlights stages of gilt development

A recent Hubbard Feeds meeting focused on the three stages of gilt development — maturation, pre-breeding and breeding — highlighting the strategies and results for each.
The first phase, maturation, is the long phase of pre-pubertal growth in which nutrition care designed for a breeding animal — and not a market animal — is extremely important. Dr. Paul Ruen, a member of the Fairmont Veterinary Clinic in Fairmont, Minn. who spoke at Hubbard's meeting, said he recommends that this phase be controlled by the sow farm with a goal of acclimating the gilt to the sow herd health status. Housing and environment are also key, especially having adequate lighting and timers with the goal of 14-16 hours of light per day.
Pre-breeding, the second stage of gilt development, involves managing the gilts for puberty. This stage starts with boar exposure, typically between 160 and 175 days of age. Quality boar exposure with recorded heats will bring positive results. According to Ruen:

• Boars should be 11+ months old
• Exposure should be 1–2 minutes/gilt once a day (pen of five to 10 gilts needs 10–20 minutes)
• House boars should be kept away from the gilts so fresh exposure makes heats obvious
• Having boars in the pens with the gilts creates better contact than fenceline
• Bringing the gilts to the boars stimulates better than bringing the boars to the gilts
The final phase of gilt development, breeding, is when the gilt is eligible to mate with the boar. Housing the boar away from the gilts, making sure there is good ventilation and clean floors are all part of making the interaction a positive experience. Ruen said he recommends limited regrouping of gilts at this time and also full feeding.

JSR Genetics develops new sire line

International pig breeding business JSR Genetics has developed a new sire line which has been bred to provide producers with progeny that the breeder claims are up to three days faster to finish than its rivals.
The new JSR Geneconverter 800m boar will be available internationally in May, following the 2012 British Pig & Poultry Fair, where customers will be able to see the new boar and get all the breeding data. The new boar has been developed in response to direct customer demand in various parts of the world, including the UK, according to JSR's managing director Grant Walling. “We enjoy very close links with our customers and have become aware that faster growth and reducing days to slaughter is a real priority that’s not being adequately met for some,” said Walling.
The company used its global genetic library, as well as various breeding programs, to develop the new sire line with an emphasis on post-weaning growth. “We have been able to focus on providing new genetics that we believe will provide these much-needed traits for producers," said Stephen Waite, who is head of science at JSR. "Interestingly, it was by looking at the early growth stages, often neglected, that we have been able to achieve such remarkable results. We now have a new, very exciting boar that is exceptionally fast-growing. The animals that we are selecting from on our nucleus farms are consistently exhibiting exceptional growth.”

British pig breeder ups testing investment

British pig breeding company ACMC has invested more than 100,000 pounds to add 10 Feed Intake Recording Equipment (FIRE) stations, the firm said at this year’s British Pig & Poultry Fair. The increase from 40 to 50 stations enables individual performance testing of breeding animals at nucleus level. The new equipment will allow testing of around 4,000 boars and 1,800 gilts per year.
ACMC technical director Ed Sutcliffe said pig producers can continue to expect large improvements in efficiency from advances in genetics. Progress will be maintained by breeders in improving the key traits including numbers born alive, growth rate and feed conversion efficiency.