Genetics Useful Links

In order to use external web links and database resources of this site, you must become a member. Membership is free, please use the registration form on the top menu. If you are already a member please login below: Username: Password: What is the growth potential of the modern hog? Breeding Companies throughout the world are continuously monitoring growth potential and conversion efficiencies especially in the 30 - 100Kg (66 - 220lb) live weight range. Their results would indicate that hogs have the potential to grow at 1.4kgs(3.1lb) per day during this period and convert at 1.8lbs of meal per 1lb of live weight gain. More Info. I can hear the comment now "If only my farm was producing even remotely close to these type of figures what a difference it would make". The Breeding Companies will rightly respond that these figures were produced from individual animals that were selected for test and given all the right conditions but the difference between the best being achieved on trials and the best figures in commercial practice is astronomical. Those of you that have invested considerable dollars in modern genetics and have developed a stock purchasing relationship with your chosen Breeding Company or Stock Supplier, how many receive nutritional advice re the requirements of the specific genotypes you are buying from the supplier? How many receive questionnaires from the Breeding Companies evaluating the on farm performance of their stock? Yes, I am critical of the amount of information supplied by Breeding Companies. How many of you would buy a new piece of complicated equipment with a user's manual as sparse on detailed information as the Breeding Companies supply? Most Companies do not recommend or specify the type of fuel (food) to use with their animal to get optimum performance. What is the point in developing huge potential performance capabilities if the stock are not achieving remotely close performance in commercial practice? There is an educational onus on all stock suppliers to instruct purchasers of the specific nutritional, environmental etc requirements of their stock. As a purchaser it will then be up to you to implement the recommendations or forget about them. Top of Page All herds must introduce new genes. How to make the introduction without the risk of inputting disease organisms is becoming more of a problem for a large number of producers. Methods of gene introduction AI frozen and fresh semen More Info. Hysterectomy Boar imports females bred on unit Boar and pure-bred female imports Boars and commercial female imports More Info. Breeding Companies and Commercial Breeders have made great improvements in the quality of hogs available to the swine industry world-wide over the last two decades. The isolation and identification of the role of specific genes is a very beneficial step forward. The identification of disease resistance genes (E-coli strain K-88), stress susceptibility (halothane gene), and meat quality (BETTERgen muscle) genes are all major advances and hopefully many more to come More Info.. Other areas of major improvement are productivity and longevity of the sow, growth rate and conversion efficiency of her progeny and meat percentage and quality of the slaughter carcase. More Info. The economic benefits of genetic improvements are evaluated in this article from Purdue University NSIF-FS1 The Economic Impact of Genetic Improvement More Info. Top of Page Useful links Research Articles on Genetics Genetics Index Research Articles on Nutrition Nutrition Index Research Articles on Reproduction: Reproduction Index Research Articles on Behaviour: Behaviour Index Top of Page General Research Articles: Breeds of Livestock - Swine Oklahoma State University Swine Breed Identification Slides Auburn University Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System (STAGES) Purdue University U.S. Pig Gene Mapping Coordination Program Iowa State University Wild Boar Links Ontario Agriculture Swine Genetics Handbook (National Swine Improvement Federation) North Carolina State University Boar Anatomy and Physiology Purdue University Sow/Gilt Anatomy and Physiology Purdue University Artificial insemination: Advantages to Using AI in Swine Breeding Programs Virginia Cooperative Extension AI and its Influence on Production Efficiency Manitoba Agriculture The Swine AI Book Swine AI Publications Top of Page Home Page