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Swine genetics and reproduction
The performance of pigs is the result of two influences: genetics and environment. Because the genetics of a pig plays an important role in its performance and meat quality, all pig producers should be familiar with the potential and application of genetic selection.
The genetic potential of pigs can have a major influence on the productivity and profitability of a pig enterprise. It is the combination of genetics, nutrition, health, environment and management that influences such factors as litter size, growth rates and carcass quality.
The reproductive herd is for the multiplication of maternal and paternal lines that are prized for economically valuable reproductive traits, or, traits that generate desirable offspring reliably. Typically, prized reproductive traits include litter size, particularly total number of pigs born, and pigs weaned, weight of the litter of piglets at birth and weaning, wean-to-estrus interval (WEI), and pigs per sow per year (PSY). In more recent years, length of time a sow remains productive in the herd (longevity or survivability) is increasing in priority for major genetic lines. These traits are prioritized due to the impact on value of the sow to the herd.
Dr. George Foxcroft, from the University of Alberta, talks about Updates in Artificial Insemination in the Swine Industry. The interview was recorded at the 15th edition of ABRAVES (Brazilian Society of Swine Veterinarians), held at Uberlandia, from the 26th to the 29th of October. ...
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Introduction The consumption of meat and meat products decreased in the last years in Hungary; however the rate of pork consumption is still important. In the year 2003 the total average meat consumption was 68.6 kg per capita. In the same year, as far as the whole meat market is concerned first was the poultry consumption (33.2 kg per capita per year), and the second was the pork consumption (27.1 kg per capita per...
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Hendrix Genetics (already owning 34% in Integra) has completed the acquisition of the majority shareholding of Trouw Nutrition Biofaktory in Integra in Zabcice, Czech Republic. Integra, with Petr Krul as General Manager, becomes managerial part of the Poultry Distribution Division (PDD), under leadership of Laurent...
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A genotype research project has been carried out to determine which sire will provide what is needed for pig producers.
Research carried out at the University of Leeds farm conducted with 425 litters (145 Large White type, 140 Hampshire type crosses and 140 Pietrain type crosses) revealed that piglets from Hampshire type crosses grew more rapidly and reached slaughter weight up to seven days before the two other genotypes.
The pigs were more robust and produced...
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Yeast probiotic solution in hyper prolific sows to improve weaning piglet weight & reduce mortality in lactation
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Chinese scientists have claimed a commercial breakthrough after breeding 10 piglets whose sex was successfully selected before conception, heralding potential higher profits for farmers.
The healthy piglets were born last week on an experimental farm belonging to the Animal Science Institute in south China's GuangxiZhuang Autonomous Region, the institute's top zoologist Lu Kehuan said.
"They were the first...
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Scientists in China have for the first time transformed somatic cells from pigs into pluripotent stem cells - cells that, like embryonic stem cells, can develop into any type of cell in the body.
The achievement could lead to advances in both human and animal health, say the researchers.
"To date, many efforts have been made to establish ungulate pluripotent embryonic stem cells from early embryos without success," said Dr Lei Xiao, who led the...
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A litter of dark brown piglets born at the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences will help doctors gain a better understanding of arteriosclerosis and aid in the development of a more efficient cloning technique.
These little chocolate-coloured pigs are not for eating....
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The genetic programme for the organic pig production sector that is most beneficial in the short term is a rotational crossbreeding structure with purebred and terminal AI boars that are specifically selected for organic pig production. The Animal Breeding and Genomics Centre (ABGC) and the Institute for Pig Genetics (IPG) made this recommendation after analysing data from organic pig farms and evaluating lines and genetic programmes in a bio-economic and a genetic...
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Hypor Inc. announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to purchase the purebred nucleus herd of Canadian based, purebred Duroc breeder, Shade Oak Swine Ltd. including all AI boars owned by Shade Oak and located at various third party AI stations and all related intellectual property rights. Additionally Hypor will enter into a distribution agreement with Shade Oak's boar stud division known as Total Swine Genetics (TSG).
The purchase of this high health herd...
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Swine Management Services, LLC (SMS) Fremont, Nebraska USA the world's largest swine benchmarking service recently released their Production Index for 2008. The database encompasses 585 farms and 1,175,053 females with significant participation from customers of every major swine genetic company.
SMS top 10% of herds' averaged...
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Bioavailability of valine in a fermentation biomass product relative to the bioavailability in crystalline L-valine when fed to weanling pigs
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Continued growth in the American market required the expansion of the Hypor team in the United States and Hypor USA is pleased to announce the appointment of Graydon Bell to the position of Sales Representative, USA.
Based in Wahpeton, ND, Mr. Bell brings a wealth of valuable experience in all aspects of swine production which includes several years in a senior management position of a 60,000 sow farrow to finish production system.
...
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A systems effort that incorporates all components of the farming enterprise is needed to minimize environmental risk. Engineering solutions for the handling, treatment and application of manure and systems of cropping and soils management have received extensive scientific attention in recent years (NCSU, 1999). Improving the efficiency of nutrient utilization by animals is also a feasible approach. Feeding programs that...
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Many boar studs currently pre-extend semen with the thought of reducing cold shock.The most important factors influencing sperm function include collection temperature, storage temperature,and the suspension medium. 1 When spermatozoa are cooled too abruptly from body temperature to less than 15 degrees C, cold shock can occur, which may reduce sperm viability. 2 Semen should be extended as soon as possible after collection from the boar. Pre-extension is also thought to...
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Meeting the breeding needs of both Canadian and mid American producers has lead to the strategic alliance between Hypor Inc. and newly incorporated Mid-America Genetics International Incorporated (MAG) a Manitoba based genetic company. The partnership will see the development of a new commercial female by combining the industry leading Hypor Landrace line with the successful MAG Large White line.
While offering Hypor a unique multiplication opportunity and larger market reach,...
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Yeast probiotic solution in hyper prolific sows to improve weaning piglet weight & reduce mortality in lactation
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In 2008, Dutch pig farmers using TOPIGS genetics achieved an average production of 27.3 weaned piglets per sow per year. This is an increase of 0.9 piglets compared to 2007. The top 10% of farms managed an impressive 30.7 piglets per sow The increased production is due to an increased litter size. In 2007 this was still 12.8 whereas in 2008 this was 13.1. For further data please see the table below. The data were collected from 1006 Dutch sow farms with a total of almost 415,000...
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Researchers from the University of Guelph in Canada presented the results from an evaluation of on-farm semen storage on 28 farms in Ontario at the recent meetings of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Their objective was to determine whether proper semen storage temperatures were being maintained on farms and what impact storage temperature has on the quality of stored boar semen.
Herds were first visited on the day a fresh batch of semen was delivered to or collected...
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Given the potential complexity of swine reproductive problems, the use of a systematic approach to addressing them is important. While a number of strategies can be used, the most effective ones are based on a thorough understanding of the physiology involved with normal reproductive processes. In other words, one needs to know first what should have happened, and then one can use this to help figure out what went wrong. This article is the first of two that will discuss how knowledge...
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Embedding sperm cells in a gel for artificial insemination increases the fertilisation period for cattle and pigs and give more babies.
There are currently two methods for artificial insemination: bull semen can be frozen to a temperature of -172 °C and may be stored indefinitely. However, pig semen must be diluted and stored liquid, and the storage capacity is only a few days. The window of opportunity for insemination is also limited. Striking the...
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To maintain optimal reproduction and throughput in a swine operation, a complete understanding of the operation and its productivity is required. Table 1 provides some key productivity indicators to use in maximizing throughput, along with suggested target values. Choosing which indicators to focus on depends on the individual operation. Most farms should verify that they have targeted an optimal weaning age, work toward increasing the average parity of the sow herd, and achieve two matings...
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Danish scientists have welcomed the first litter of pigs born to a transgenic clone used in the study of Alzheimer's disease
When the first transgenic cloned pigs were born in August 2007, using a revolutionary new cloning method developed at the Foulum Research Centre at the University of Aarhus, scientists were unsure if the technique had interfered with the natural physiology of the animals.
But now their concerns have been allayed as researchers welcomed...
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