The performance testing of boars I. Performance testing on Finnish experimental stations and genetic and environmental influences on test results

Authors

• Elsi Ettala Department of Animal Breeding, University of Helsinki

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.71784

Abstract

In 1965 performance testing was initiated in Finland for the selection of boars for A.I. use. In 1965—68 a total of 147 boars were tested on four local testing stations. The following average results were recorded: backfat thickness 21.6 mm (at a live weight of 88 kg), growth rate 699 g/day, feed efficiency 2.69 scand. fu/kg growth and testing score (growth + fat) 99.6. The average testing score for boards selected for A.I. use (43 % of tested) was 99.7. Weakness of the legs was noted in 21 % of the boars. The varying initial weights of the male piglets influenced the growth rate very markedly (P < 0.001), and the effect of the initial age was significant with respect to feed efficiency (P < 0.01). The influence of the weight and age at end of test was highly significant with regard to thickness of fat (P < 0.001). Moreover, the weight at end of test affected the testing score significantly (P < 0.001), but the effect of age was eliminated by use of correction factors. The years as well as the testing stations influenced most of the results in a significant manner. The thickness of fat for the Yorkshire boars was significantly greater (P < 0.01) than for the Landrace boars and the former also had a significantly lower testing score. The effect of the genetic variation, influence of sires within breeds, was highly significant (P < 0.001) for all test results. It has thus proved possible to estimate the genetic quality of the boars. The different influences on the test results were analyzed by least squares procedures.