BPEX

Call: 02476 692051

Defining the Benefits of New Genotypes

Background

The UK pig industry has traditionally used a Large White terminal sire over a Large White x Landrace dam but over the last couple of years there has been a move to three-way crosses with Hampshire or Pietrain boars as the terminal sire. Three-breed crosses should have greater hybrid vigour and are associated with increased piglet vigour, improved response to weaning, faster growth rates and lower mortality in all phases. Such attributes would help to improve FCR and daily liveweight gain of the finisher herd.

This project offers an ideal opportunity to measure genotype response to diets with varying nutrient composition and hence to define optimum nutrient requirements. In addition, different genotypes mature at different rates. With increasing pressure to produce heavier carcases, we need to assess how diet composition, feed efficiency and carcase quality are affected by growing pigs of different genotypes to a finish weight of 100 kg.

Objectives

To provide an independent scientific comparison of different terminal sire breeds and hence to provide an impartial assessment of modern sires for the use of English farmers. Specifically:

  1. To define optimum nutrient requirements for the three genotypes at different stages of growth
  2. To measure the impact of taking each of the three genotypes to 100 kg on their nutrient requirements, feed efficiency and carcase quality
  3. To compare lean meat yield and meat quality from each of the different genotypes
  4. To make recommendations on whether the current basis of payment for slaughter pigs should be revised to reflect the different carcase structure of new genotypes.

 

Project summary

Press release