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Impact of the new statistical technology on pig improvement

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 February 2018

A. J. Webb  and
P. R. Bampton
A. J. Webb
Affiliation:
Cotswold Pig Development Company Limited, Rothwell, Lincoln LN7 6BJ
P. R. Bampton
Affiliation:
Cotswold Pig Development Company Limited, Rothwell, Lincoln LN7 6BJ
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Abstract

Past improvement programmes in pigs have concentrated on lean growth, and have relied on direct comparisons of contemporaries in a common environment. The new mixed model technology now allows comparisons across environments and generations, and, by utilizing all possible genetic relationships, more accurate prediction of genetic merit for traits of low heritability. In addition, breeding programme design will benefit from more precise estimation of genetic parameters. Principal benefits of the new technology are greater flexibility of structure of breeding programmes, and faster improvement of litter size. The consequence will be larger populations under selection with lower costs per unit of genetic improvement. For national improvement schemes using a high proportion of AI matings, central testing stations could become unnecessary. Main research priorities are the optimum family structure to balance selection and inbreeding, more efficient computing strategies for large numbers of traits, and the incorporation of single genes into predictions of merit. The new technology will be important for the exploitation of biological advances in manipulation of both reproduction and the genome.

Type
Breeding Technology
Information
BSAP Occasional Publication , Volume 12: Animal Breeding Opportunities , 1988 , pp. 111 - 128
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Production 1988

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