Production of piglets as related to slaughter and growth traits

Authors

• Matti Puonti The Finnish Animal Breeding Association, P.O. Box 40, SF-01301 Vantaa 30 (Finland)

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.72148

Abstract

The relations between sows production of piglets and their own on-farm testing results as well as their sibs results are analysed. The study is based on actual data from 248 normal pig farms, 3746 sows and 5195 litters. A rapid growth rate seems to be correlated to early maturity by young sows. A favourable genetic relationship between farrowing age and litter size of the gilt was found. Farrowing interval and litter size showed a positive phenotypic correlation. Sows lean in carcase had a higher farrowing age than other sows. Other carcase characteristics were not correlated to fertility traits. Breeding for fertility is possible by pigs without losses in other traits.