Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-19T04:12:31.556Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The influence of index selection for improved growth and carcass characteristics on appetite in a population of large white pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

W. C. Smith ,
M. Ellis ,
J. P. Chadwick  and
R. Laird
W. C. Smith
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agriculture, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
M. Ellis
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agriculture, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
J. P. Chadwick
Affiliation:
Faculty of Agriculture, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU
R. Laird
Affiliation:
West of Scotland College, Auchincruive, Ayr KA6 5HW
Get access

Abstract

Correlated genetic changes in the level and pattern of average daily food intake (ADFI) were evaluated n i a population of pigs under index selection over an 11-year period. Performance testing was carried out in single sex groups of two or three full-sibs over the live-weight range 27 to 87 kg on an ad libitum feeding regime. The selection index incorporated live-weight gain, ultrasonic backfat thickness and a group food conversion ratio. Samples of boars from a contemporary control line were used to measure genetic change over time. Cumulated correlated responses in ADFI for boars and gilts showed considerable variation between years but the values were always negative and tended to increase up to year 7 but increased no further from then on. Thus, in year 11 the cumulated responses for ADFI in boars and gilts were -0·25 (s.e. 0·06) kg (P < 0·001) and -0·19 (s.e. 0·05) kg (P < 0001) respectively, the corresponding regressions of cumulated response on year number being — 0012 and — 0·017 kg. The relationship between food intake and live weight was compared in samples of boars and gilts from the selection line (S) and boars from the control line (C) during the final year of the study. The regression of ADFI on live weight for the two boar lines differed in intercept but not in slope with S line boars consuming, on average, 0·23 kg/day less meal than the C line boars over the test period. The regression equations for S line boars and gilts differed in slope and elevation with gilts consuming relatively more food daily up to around 60 kg live weight and less subsequently.

Keywords

appetitecarcass compositiongrowthpigsselection index
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 52 , Issue 1 , February 1991 , pp. 193 - 199
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1991

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Bekaert, H., Casteels, M., Eeckhout, W. and Buysse, F. 1974. [Meat production from entire male pig. 1. Performance and carcass quality.] Revue de I'Agriculture 27: 135–167.Google Scholar
Bereskin, B., Davey, R. J. and Peters, W. H. 1976. Genetic, sex and diet effects on pig growth and feed use. Journal of Animal Science 43: 977–984.Google Scholar
Bichard, M., Fowler, V. R., Whittemore, C. T. and Brown, A. N. R. 1979. Objectives: growth efficiency and appetite. Test regimes in selecting for feed efficiency. European Association of Animal Production European Pig Testing Conference, Harrogate, Paper No. E6.2.Google Scholar
Brandt, H. 1987. Development and genetic aspects of feed intake in three breeds of pigs at German test stations and measures to prevent further deterioration. Pig News and Information 8: 29–33.Google Scholar
Brown, A. N. R. and Henderson, M. 1989. Development of an ad lib feed intake recording system for pigs. In Voluntary Food Intake of Pigs (ed. Forbes, J. M., Varley, M. A. and Lawrence, T. L. J.), British Society of Animal Production Occasional Publication, No. 13, p. 111.Google Scholar
Campbell, R. G., Taverner, M. R. and Curic, D. M. 1983. The influence of feeding level from 20 to 45 kg live weight on the performance and body composition of female and entire male pigs. Animal Production 36: 193–199.Google Scholar
Chadd, S. A. and Cole, D. J. A. 1988. Food intake, growth and carcass quality of improved genotypes of growing/finishing pigs. Animal Production 46: 523 (Abstr.).Google Scholar
Cleveland, E. R., Johnson, R. K. and Mandigo, R. W. 1983. Index selection and feed intake restriction in swine. 1. Effect on rate and composition of growth. Journal of Animal Science 56: 560–569.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Ellis, M., Chadwick, J. P., Smith, W. C. and Laird, R. 1988. Index selection for improved growth and carcass characteristics in a population of Large White pigs. Animal Production 46: 265–275.Google Scholar
Ellis, M., Smith, W. C., Henderson, R., Whittemore, C. T. and Laird, R. 1983. Comparative performance and body composition of control and selection line Large White pigs. 2. Feeding to appetite for a fixed time. Animal Production 35: 407–413.Google Scholar
Elsley, F. W. H. 1968. Prenatal and post-natal effects on slaughter performance and carcass quality. In The Pork Industry – Problems and Progress (ed. Topel, D. G.), pp. 51–66. Iowa State University Press, Ames, la.Google Scholar
Fowler, V. R. 1986. Biological advances towards genetic improvement in pigs. Proceedings 3rd World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Vol. XI. Genetics of Reproduction, Lactation, Growth, Adaption, Disease and Parasite Resistance, pp. 345–354.Google Scholar
Fowler, V. R., Bichard, M. and Pease, A. 1976. Objectives in pig breeding. Animal Production 23: 365–387.Google Scholar
Haer, L. C. M. De., Merks, J. W. M., Buiting, G. A. J. and Kooper, H. G. 1988. Genetic aspects of individual food intake of growing pigs, housed individually or in groups. In Voluntary Food Intake of Pigs (ed. Forbes, J. M., Varley, M. A. and Lawrence, T. L. J.), British Society of Animal Production Occasional Publication, No. 13, p. 123.Google Scholar
Harvey, W. R. 1977. Users Guide for LSML76. Mixed Model Least-squares and Maximum Likelihood Computer Program. Ohio State University, Columbus.Google Scholar
Henderson, R., Whittemore, C. T., Ellis, M., Smith, W. C., Laird, R. and Phillips, P. 1983. Comparative performance and body composition of control and selection line Large White pigs. 1. On a generous fixed feeding scale for a fixed time. Animal Production 36: 399–405.Google Scholar
Kanis, E. 1988a. Food intake capacity in relation to breeding and feeding growing pigs. Ph.D. Thesis, Agricultural University of Wageningen.Google Scholar
Kanis, E. 1988b. Effect of average daily food intake on production performance in growing pigs. Animal Production 46: 111–122.Google Scholar
Kay, M. and Houseman, R. 1974. The influence of sex on meat production. In Meat (ed. Cole, D. J. A. and Lawrie, R. A.), pp. 85–108. Butterworths, London.Google Scholar
Kempster, A. J. 1974. Genotype × environment interactions in pigs. Proceedings of the 1st World Congress of Genetics Applied to Livestock Production, Madrid, Vol. 1, pp. 873–884.Google Scholar
McPhee, C. P. 1981. Selection for efficient lean growth i n a pig herd. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 32: 681–690.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
McPhee, C. P. 1985. Experiments on selection for efficiency of lean growth in pigs. Proceedings of the 5th Conference of the Australian Association of Animal Breeding and Genetics, New South Wales, pp. 310–312.Google Scholar
Mcphee, C. P., Brennan, P. J. and Duncalfe, F. 1979. Genetic and phenotypic parameters of Australian Large White and Landrace boars performance-tested when offered food ad libitum. Animal Production 28: 79–85.Google Scholar
Mitchell, G., Smith, C., Makower, M. and Bird, P. J. W. N. 1982. An economic appraisal of pig improvement in Great Britain. 1. Genetic and production aspects. Animal Production 35: 215–224.Google Scholar
Ollivier, L. 1980. Estimated responses to eleven years of boar selection. Livestock Production Science 7: 57–66.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Sather, A. P. and Fredeen, H. T. 1978. Effect of selection for lean growth rate upon feed utilisation by the market hog. Canadian Journal of Animal Science 58: 258–289.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Smith, C. and Fowler, V. R. 1978. The importance of selection criteria and feeding regimes in the selection and improvement of pigs. Livestock Production Science 5: 415–423.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Valle-Zarate, A. and Rogdakis, E. 1980. [Population genetic parameters of feed intake in pigs.] 31st Annual Meeting European Association of Animal Production, Munich.Google Scholar
Vangen, O. 1980. Studies on a two trait selection experiment in pigs. III. Correlated responses in daily feed intake, feed conversion and carcass traits. Ada Agriculturae Scandinavica 30: 125–141.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Webb, A. J. 1986. Genetic control of growth, composition, appetite and feed utilisation: non-ruminants. Options for genetic change. Proceedings 3rd World Congress on Genetics Applied to Livestock Production. Vol. XI. Genetics of Reproduction, Lactation, Growth, Adaption, Disease and Parasite Resistance, pp. 337–344.Google Scholar
Webb, A. J. and Curran, M. K. 1986. Selection regime by production system interaction in pig improvement: a review of possible causes and solutions. Livestock Production Science 14: 41–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Whitttemore, C. T. 1978. Influence of nutritional environment on growth and choice of test regime when selecting for meat production. 20th British Poultry Breeders Round Table, Birmingham.Google Scholar
Whittemore, C. T., Tullis, J. B. and Emmans, G. C. 1988. Protein growth in pigs. Animal Production 46: 437–445.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wyllie, D., Morton, J. R. and Owen, J. B. 1979. Genetics aspects of voluntary food intake in the pig and their association with gain and food conversion efficiency. Animal Production 28: 381–390.Google Scholar