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Genetics of crossbred sow longevity
L Engblom1, N Lundeheim, M Del P Schneider
11Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 7023, SE-750 07 Uppsala, Sweden.
Animal : an International Journal of Animal Bioscience
|March 27, 2012
Summary
Genetic parameters for sow longevity were estimated in Swedish crossbred sows. Results indicate that genetic improvement for sow longevity is possible, though current breeding evaluations do not strongly select for it indirectly.
Area of Science:
- Animal Genetics
- Quantitative Genetics
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Sow longevity is crucial for economic viability in pig production.
- Estimating genetic parameters is essential for developing effective selection strategies.
- Crossbred sows are commonly used in commercial piglet-producing herds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate genetic parameters for sow longevity traits in Swedish crossbred populations.
- To investigate the potential for genetic selection to improve sow longevity.
- To assess the correlation between longevity traits and traits in the current Swedish breeding program (Quality Genetics).
Main Methods:
- Survival analysis was used to analyze removal hazard during productive life (PL) with a sire model.
- Linear models with an animal model were employed for stayability (STAY12, STAY13), length of productive life (LPL), and lifetime production (LTP).
- Data comprised 10,373 crossbred sows from 16 commercial herds, analyzed separately based on sire breed (Landrace or Yorkshire).
Main Results:
- Heritability estimates for productive life ranged from 0.06 to 0.12, and for linear longevity traits from 0.03 to 0.08.
- High positive genetic and phenotypic correlations were observed among the four linear longevity traits (0.6–1.0 and 0.5–0.8, respectively).
- Significant, moderate to strong correlations were found between sire's estimated breeding values for longevity traits. Favorable correlations were noted between age at first farrowing and stayability, and litter weight and productive life traits.
Conclusions:
- The estimated heritabilities suggest that genetic improvement of sow longevity is feasible.
- Current Swedish breeding evaluation (Quality Genetics) does not appear to strongly select indirectly for sow longevity.
- Further research may be needed to integrate longevity traits effectively into breeding programs.
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