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Selection for Small Size in Swine¹

University of Minnesota, St. Paul

Abstract

Body size of miniature pigs at 140 days of age has been reduced by at least 29% over a period of 11 years. Analyses of the date indicate that all of this change can be attributed to genetic causes on the basis of the selection that has been practiced. An actual average selection differential of 13.5 lb. has been obtained for 140-day weight. The heritability for 140-day weight was estimated to be 0.41±0.05. Heritability for 56-day weight was estimated to be 0.11±.05.

Some reduction in size at birth and at 56 days of age has accompanied selection for reduced 140-day weight. Litter size has remained unchanged. Inbreeding has been too slight to have any substantial effect.

Present estimates of heritability are encouraging from the standpoint of further progress from selection for small size.

¹ Scientific Journal Article No. 5431, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station and Hormel Institute No. 297. The work was supported by National Institutes of Health Grant HE-1730.