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Genetic Correlations of Pig Performance and Sow Productivity Traits

US Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD 2O7O5³

Abstract

Records for a total of 732 daughter-dam pairs were analyzed to estimate the genetic correlations of pig performance traits with sow productivity traits, with implications to the development of specialized sire and dam lines for use in crossing. Major pig performance traits analyzed included average daily gain from 56 d of age to a final weight of 90.7 kg (ADG), average backfat thickness at 90.7 kg (BF) and a performance index (PI) consisting of ADG and BF. Major sow productivity traits included number of pigs born alive in a litter (N_A)> litter size (N₂₁) and litter weight (W₂₁) at 21 d of age and two sow productivity indexes, one with N_A, N₂₁ and W₂₁ (SPI-3) and one with N_A and W₂₁ (SPI-2). All records were expressed as deviations from breed-line-year-season means of this population. Genetic correlations were computed from daughter-dam covariances. The mean genetic correlation of PI with SPI consisted of two correlations, that of daughters' PI with dams' SPI and that of dams' PI with daughters' SPI. The mean genetic correlation of PI with SPI-3 and SPI-2 was .07 ± .12, suggesting that concurrent improvement in both PI and SPI would not be restricted by selection within a single composite line. The genetic correlation of daughters' PI with dams' SPI (–.18 ± .13) was appraised as more critical than the reciprocal correlation of dams' PI with daughters' SPI (+.28 ± .13). This appraisal is based on the fact that only one generation separates a daughter's PI from her dam's SPI, as compared with two generations in the reciprocal covariance. However, the –.18 correlation was not significantly different from zero, indicating that formation of specialized sire and dam lines for use in crossing would be only marginally more effective at best for improving the overall efficiency in pork production than use of a single composite line, aside from the heterosis effects from crossing the lines. Indexes were proposed for combining PI and SPI for use either in specialized sire and dam lines or in a single composite line.

¹ USDA, Agr. Res. Service, Beltsville Agr. Res. Center, Animal Science Institute, Nonruminant Anim. Nutr. Lab., Beltsville, MD 20705.

² The author acknowledges with appreciation the contributions of R. L. Figulski and D. L. Parsons, Animal Caretaker Leaders, for managing the swine herd and for collecting and recording the necessary data; the cooperation of W. H. Peters, Head, Animal Operations; and the contributions of Bonnie Morgan, Statistical Assistant.

³ Mention of a trade name does not constitute a guarantee or warranty by the USDA and does not imply its approval to the exclusion of other products that may be suitable.

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