J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1964. 23:651-655.
© 1964 American Society of Animal Science
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Genetic Relationship of Weaning Weight with Post-Weaning Growth Rate in Swine1

Harold K. Ward2,3,4,, W. E. Rempel and Frank D. Enfield

University of Minnesota, St. Paul

Abstract

The objectives of this investigation were to determine the genetic parameters associated with weaning weight and post-weaning growth rate in swine, and to evaluate these traits with a view to simplifying selection for growth.

Two thousand six hundred ninety-three pigs representing 357 gilt litters and 129 sires of the Minnesota No. 2 and No. 3 breeds provided the data. Analyses were done on an intra sex-year-location-breed basis, by three methods. They were analyses of variance and covariance, regression of progeny on sire, and intra-sire regression of offspring on dam. The results were pooled to obtain the following estimates: heritability of weaning weight, 0.18; heritability of post-weaning daily gain, 0.31; genetic correlation between the traits, 0.69; and phenotypic correlation between the traits, 0.37.

The main reason suggested for the relatively high estimates for the heritability of weaning weight and the genetic correlations was that creep feeding allowed the genes responsible for growth to be more fully expressed at weaning age. Inadequate information is available on this point.

Selection based solely on post-weaning growth rate was found to account for 91% of the possible genetic improvement in weaning weight. It was, therefore, concluded that weaning weight could be safely disregarded in selection for growth.

Footnotes

1 Paper No. 5218, Scientific Journal Series of the Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station, in cooperation with the AHRD, ARS, The Regional Swine Breeding Laboratory, U.S.D.A.

2 Acknowledgement is made of the award of a Fulbright grant, and of financial support from the U. S. Department of State.

3 This paper represents part of a thesis submitted by the senior author to the Graduate School of the University of Minnesota in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science.

4 Present address: Makoholi Experiment Station, Fort Victoria, Southern Rhodesia.






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