J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1981. 53:629-642.
© 1981 American Society of Animal Science
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Using Diallel Matings to Estimate Combining Abilities and Maternal Effects in Swine1

J. D. Wheat2, T. J. T. Yu3, T. C. Chou4, K. E. Kemp5 and R. R. Schalles2

Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506 and , and the Animal Industry Division of the Council for Agricultural Planning and Development, Taipei, Republic of China

Abstract

Data on 823 pigs (from 179 full-sib litter groups) were analyzed to determine which two-breed cross among three leading breeds of swine in TaiwanxYorkshire, Duroc and Land-racexis the best. The pigs were mated in all possible diallel matings, with each gilt being artificially bred with mixed semen from two boars of different breeds. Only data on litters with offspring from both boars were considered in the analysis. The Yorkshire-Landrace cross was the most prolific. The Duroc boar X Landrace gilt cross had the best rate of gain, but the reciprocal cross was inferior because of poor mothering ability of Duroc gilts. Offspring from Duroc boars were likewise most efficient in feed utilization, and the superior cross was the Duroc-Landrace. Also, offspring from the Duroc-Landrace had less backfat and appeared to be the best cross with respect to loineye area. The Yorkshire-Duroc cross and the Duroc-Landrace cross were generally the better crosses with respect to cut-out data. However, differences in percentage lean cuts, percentage primal cuts and percentage ham and loin were all quite small, and most were not significant. From these results, the choice of best cross is not clear. Yorkshire females seemed to be the best mothers, and they produced large litters, especially when mated to Landrace boars. However, their offspring were only average in growth rate and feed efficiency. The Landrace-Duroc cross seemed to produce faster growing pigs, with better feed efficiency, and carcasses with less fat, but there were fewer pigs per litter. The Duroc boar-Landrace gilt cross produced the fastest growing, most efficient pigs. However, that cross produced the third smallest litters. To make an objective choice, perhaps we should compare the economic advantages of larger litters to those of more efficient growth so that we can quantify the relative economic importance of these two traits.

Footnotes

1 Contribution No. 78-380-J, Dept. of Anim. Sci. and Ind. and Dept. of Statist., Kansas Agr. Exp. Sta., Manhattan.

2 Dept. of Anim. Sci. and Ind., Kansas State Univ., Manhattan 66506.

3 Present address: Charoen Agri-Industry Co., LTD. 61 Kasemraj Road, Klongtoey, Prakanony, Bangkok 11, Thailand.

4 Present address: Taiwan Livestock Research Institute, Hsinhua, Tainan, Republic of China.

5 Dept. of Statist., Kansas State Univ.






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Copyright © 1981 by the American Society of Animal Science.