Data sets from 2 large Australian piggeries were used to estimate genetic parameters for the traits weaning to conception interval (WCIi-l,i) and farrowing interval (FIi-l,i), number born alive (NBAI), average piglet birthweight (BWi), 21-day litter weight (W21i), and sow stayability (STAYli) recorded for each ith parity, as well as sow average daily gain (ADG) and backfat (BF) recorded at the end of performance test. Over parities and herds, heritabilities for each trait were in the ranges: WCI/FI, 0.0-0.10; NBA, 0.09-0.16; BW, 0.11-0.35; W21, 0.12-0.23; STAYli, 0.02-0.09; ADG, 0.35-0.37; BF, 0.36-0.45. Genetic correlations between NBAl and NBA from later parities were significantly different from 1. In addition, in 1 herd negative genetic correlations (rg = -0.04 to -0.25) were found between sow stayability traits and NBA1, but not NBA recorded in later parities. Stayability was Unfavourably correlated with ADG and BF, and favourably correlated with WCI12. However, WCI12 was unfavourably correlated genetically with BF (rg = -0.24) but uncorrelated with ADG. Antagonistic relationships also existed between NBA and BW, NBA and W21, and BW and STAY. In addition to the traditional traits currently included in pig-breeding programs (e.g. ADG, BF, and NBA), traits such as WCI, BW, and STAY should also be considered as selection criteria to minimise the detrimental effects of antagonistic genetic relationships between traits.

Residual feed intake (RFI) has been explored as an alternative selection criterion to feed conversion ratio to capture the fraction of feed intake not explained by expected production and maintenance requirements. Selection experiments have found that low RFI in the growing pig is genetically correlated with reduced fatness and feed intake. Selection for feed conversion ratio also reduces sow appetite and fatness, which, together with increased prolificacy, has been seen as a hindrance for sow lifetime performance. The aims of our study were to derive equations for sow RFI during lactation (SRFI) and to evaluate the effect of selection for RFI during growth on sow traits during lactation. Data were obtained on 2 divergent lines selected for 7 generations for low and high RFI during growth in purebred Large Whites. The RFI was measured on candidates for selection (1,065 pigs), and sow performance data were available for 480 sows having from 1 to 3 parities (1,071 parities). Traits measured were sow daily feed intake (SDFI); sow BW and body composition before farrowing and at weaning (28.4 ± 1.7d); number of piglets born total, born alive, and surviving at weaning; and litter weight, average piglet BW, and within-litter SD of piglet BW at birth, 21 d of age (when creep feeding was available), and weaning. Sow RFI was defined as the difference between observed SDFI and SDFI predicted for sow maintenance and production. Daily production requirements were quantified by litter size and daily litter BW gain as well as daily changes in sow body reserves. The SRFI represented 24% of the phenotypic variability of SDFI. Heritability estimates for RFI and SRFI were both 0.14. The genetic correlation between RFI and SRFI was 0.29 ± 0.23. Genetic correlations of RFI with sow traits were low to moderate, consistent with responses to selection; selection for low RFI during growth reduced SDFI and increased number of piglets and litter growth, but also increased mobilization of body reserves. No effect on rebreeding performance was found. Metabolic changes previously observed during growth in response to selection might explain part of the better efficiency of the low-RFI sows, decreasing basal metabolism and favoring rapid allocation of resources to lactation. We propose to consider SRFI as an alternative to SDFI to select for efficient sows with reduced input demands during lactation.

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Objective Estimate genetic parameters, the rate of inbreeding, and the effect of inbreeding on growth and egg production traits of a Thai native chicken breed Lueng Hang Kao Kabinburi housed under intensive management under a tropical climate. Methods Genetic parameters were estimated for weight measured at four weekly intervals from body weight at day 1 (BW1D) to body weight at 24 weeks (BW24) of age, as well as weight at first egg, age at first egg (AFE), egg weight at first egg, and total number of eggs (EN) produced during the first 17 weeks of lay using restricted maximum likelihood. Inbreeding depression was estimated using a linear regression of individual phenotype on inbreeding coefficient. Results Direct additive genetic effect was significant for all traits. Maternal genetic effect and permanent environmental hen effects were significant for all early growth traits, expect for BW24. For BW24, maternal genetic effect was also significant. Permanent environmental hen effect was significant for AFE. Direct heritabilities ranged from 0.10 to 0.47 for growth traits and ranged from 0.15 to 0.16 for egg production traits. Early growth traits had high genetic correlations between them. The EN was lowly negatively correlated with other traits. The average rate of inbreeding for the population was 0.09% per year. Overall, the inbreeding had no effect on body weight traits, except for BW1D. An increase in inbreeding coefficient by 1% reduced BWID by 0.09 g (0.29% of the mean). Conclusion Improvement in body weight gain can be achieved by selecting for early growth traits. Selection for higher body weight traits is expected to increase the weight of first egg. Due to low but unfavorable correlations with body weight traits, selection on EN needs to be combined with other traits via multi-trait index selection to improve body weight and EN simultaneously.

The benefits of improved health and welfare in pigs have driven refinements in management and selection practices, one of which is the production of pig phenotypes that can maintain health and productivity by improving response against pathogens. Selection has traditionally been made for host resistance; but the alternative host defence mechanism—host tolerance—is now being considered, as breeding for disease tolerance allows maintenance of high performance across environments of increasing pathogenic load. A distinction must be made between these two mechanisms as they vary in their influence on host-pathogen interactions and pathogen evolution, and consequently on the results of breeding programs. Many pig production studies have failed to distinguish between resistance and tolerance; although a distinction may not always be possible. This article reviews current perspectives in selective breeding for disease resistance and tolerance in growing pigs, and the attendant industry implications. To assess the viability of breeding for resistance and/or tolerance for improved response to disease and other environmental challenges, we propose the use of routine farm records, instead of data measurements taken from laboratory experiments. Consequently, a number of factors need to be taken into account simultaneously for a multidimensional modeling approach. This includes not only genotype and disease variables, but also descriptors of the environment, as well as any possible interactions. It may not be feasible to record individual pathogen loads, and therefore true tolerance, on farm using routinely collected data. However, it may be estimated with group (farm) means, or other proxy measures. Although this results in a bias, this may still be useful for modeling and quantifying resistance and tolerance. We can then quantify success of selection, and this may enable us to decide whether to select for disease resistance versus disease tolerance.

Data from 2 large Australian piggeries were used to estimate genetic parameters and to examine fixed effects for weaning to conception interval (WCI) and farrowing interval (FI) measured in the first 3 reproductive cycles, and sow stayability from the first to later i parities (STAY1i,). WCI and FI recorded following the first farrowing had low heritabilities (h2 = 0.08-0. l0), but estimates did not significantly differ from zero when these traits were recorded in later parities. Heritability estimates for STAY increased with parity of recording, ranging from 0.05 for STAY12 to 0.06 (STAYl3) and 0.09 (STAYl4). Genetic correlations between WCI12 or PI12 and stayability traits ranged from -0.22 to -0.54. Selecting for short WCI following the first farrowing should have favourable consequences for longevity of sows. Important fixed effects for WCI and FI were lactation length and the number of piglets nursed. Both short (<20 days) and long (>29 days) lactation periods led to an increase in WCI12 relative to the optimum lactation length of 21-23 days. WCI also increased with the number of piglets nursed by 1 day/additional piglet for litters ranging in size from <7 to >10 piglets. STAY was little affected by correcting for the average number of piglets born in previous litters.

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