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Progeny testing of bacon pigs at Wye college

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 October 1961

J. E. Duckworth ,
M. McG. Cooper ,
A. G. Dunkin ,
J. M. Taylor  and
W Holmes
J. E. Duckworth
Affiliation:
Wye College (University of London), near Ashford, Kent
M. McG. Cooper
Affiliation:
Wye College (University of London), near Ashford, Kent
A. G. Dunkin
Affiliation:
Wye College (University of London), near Ashford, Kent
J. M. Taylor
Affiliation:
Wye College (University of London), near Ashford, Kent
W Holmes
Affiliation:
Wye College (University of London), near Ashford, Kent
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A report is given on a progeny testing scheme for bacon pigs which operated at Wye College from 1953 to 1957. Boars were brought to the unit, mated to a random selection of sows and 20 progeny (4 pigs from each of 5 litters) were individually fattened under standard conditions. Growth, feed efficiency and carcass measurements were recorded. The data were examined by analysis of variance. Significant differences in most characters were shown between sows, between boars and between tests. There was a progressive improvement in growth performance but not in carcass measurements from the earlier to the later tests. This was attributed in the main to improved management.

Differences within litters were small for carcass length but large for backfat measurements. Significant differences between boars could be detected but this was limited by small numbers of boars within tests and the high variability of some characters. The growth performance and carcass characteristics of female pigs were significantly better than for castrated males. Estimates of heritability were fairly high for most characters.

Disease incidence declined in the later tests. In earlier tests congestion of lungs associated with virus pneumonia was associated with a slight reduction in speed of growth and feed efficiency.

The results are discussed with particular reference to their contribution to the evaluation and utilisation of progeny testing on a national basis.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 3 , Issue 3 , October 1961 , pp. 239 - 250
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1961

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References

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