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Comparison of Performance of Crossbred Pigs Sired by Purebred and Crossbred Boars

University of Minnesota, St. Paul

Abstract

Feedlot and carcass performance of cross-bred progeny of purebred and crossbred sires were compared. The eight crossbred sires were three-breed crosses of Minn. No. 3 boars bred to Minn. No. 2 times Minn. No. 1 crossbred females. The purebred sires consisted of four Minn. No. 3's, two Minn. No. 2's and two Minn. No. 1's in order to equalize the breed composition of the two kinds of pigs. The dams were all Minn. No. 1's.

Differences in performance between progeny of purebred and crossbred sires were found only for backfat thickness and daily gain. The difference for these two traits favored the purebred sires. The difference in daily gain may be explained by the greater selection practiced for this trait in the purebred boars. The difference in backfat thickness is not entirely explainable.

The variances of progency performance were similar for purebred and crossbred sires. This indicates that the use of crossbred sires in systematic crossing systems need not result in increased variation among the progeny.

In general, it may be stated that progeny of crossbred boars will perform at a level equal to the average performance of progeny sired by the parent breeds of the crossbred sires.