Genetics: Size up sows for more than just maternal qualities

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Consider selecting female traits to optimize growth and feed conversion for lifelong performance

by SERGE POMMIER

It's important to select genetics that will complement each other and work together to create an efficient, productive progeny line of hogs.

A new trend in selecting swine genetics has emerged over the past five years emphasizing the sow's role in producing more efficient hogs. This new approach means finding a productive balance between male and female genetics, and measures productivity more by the number of kilograms produced rather than number of piglets.
We tend to forget that genetics are made from equal parts of the male and female genetic line – 50 per cent contributed from each. And it's a common misconception that sows should be selected for their reproduction capacity, leaving the growth and feed conversion performance to the sire. However, in addition to the necessary maternal traits, female genetic traits should also be selected for improved feed efficiency and optimized growth performance to maximize lifelong performance of piglets. The benefits of these efficiency traits will be greater genetic improvements when traits come from both the male and female genetic lines.

While it's still important to select for maternal traits in sows to maximize piglet production, we also need to consider breeding piglets for lifelong productivity that leads to more kilograms of pork produced. Selecting genetic traits such as growth rates and feed conversions should not only come from the boar, but also from the sow. The benefits of this balanced genetic approach are seen in leaner hogs with better overall feed conversion - especially in the last few weeks of finishing - and a higher carcass quality. 

Carcass quality and feed conversion are some of the most desired traits in any genetics program because they maximize lean muscle mass, improve carcass quality and result in a higher return on investment. Fat is four times more costly to produce than lean meat. And a leaner hog produces a higher yield of boneless cuts, for a higher quality, more valuable carcass. Greater carcass quality is easily bred within a herd by selecting male and female genetics that optimize feed efficiency and growth rates. Think about where these traits can create additional growth efficiencies in your herd and remember that these traits can be provided by both the male and female genetic lines leading to efficiencies that are twice as effective. 

Remember that your bottom line is directly impacted by the number and cost of kilograms of pork you produce. And, since the last few weeks of finishing can have the most impact on your bottom line, be sure to consider feed and growth efficiencies when selecting desired traits from both the male and female. A hog's ability to efficiently convert feed into lean muscle mass in its last few weeks has a direct impact on cost of production. Feed conversion deteriorates as the animal gets older and with carcass weights increasing over the past decade it's more important than ever to select for feed efficiencies.

Asking more from female genetics than just maternal traits is such a new trend in swine genetics that it may be easier said than done. Selecting these additional female genetics may prove challenging as not all genetics providers have begun to evaluate traits such as feed conversion within their sow's genetic makeup. Talk to your genetics company about the female traits you are choosing and ask them what criteria they use when measuring sow traits. If they only offer maternal criteria for piglets born alive and focus on results such as weaning weight, litter weights and milking ability, there is a good chance they aren't focusing on growth rates or finishing ability. And while it's still important to consider maternal traits, it's hard to ignore the benefits of adding growth performance and optimum feed efficiency traits into your herd's genetic makeup from both the boar and the sow. Ask your genetic supplier for measurements on back fat, loin depth, growth rates, numbers to slaughter and feed conversion – all good trait numbers to consider for evaluating the lifelong performance of your herd and increasing return on investment.

I encourage producers to evaluate their genetic selection criteria for both the boar and the sow. Underestimating the sow's role in the lifelong production of her offspring could mean missing out on opportunities in production efficiency and return on investment. As trends shift and research continues, it is increasingly important to consider all aspects of a herd's genetic investment and the impact that can be made on your bottom line. BP

Serge Pommier, PhD, is director of technical operations for PIC in Canada.