Production traits of Polish Large White sows kept in breeding herds

Production traits of Polish Large White sows kept in breeding herds

Animal Science Papers and Reports vol. 24 (2006) Supplement 1, 103-112
Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding, Jastrzębiec, Poland
Presented at the Conference
“Genetic and Breeding Research on Pigs
with Special Reference to Indigenous Breeds”
organized to commemorate the 10th anniversary
of the death of Professor Stefan Alexandrowicz
20-21 October 2005, Poznań, Poland
Production traits of Polish Large White sows
kept in breeding herds in the Warmia and Mazury
region in the years 1998-2002
Wanda Milewska
Department of Pig Breeding, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn,
Oczapowskiego 5, 10-718 Olsztyn, Poland
A total of 1337 Polish Large White (PLW) sows from 70 herds were investigated, together with their
4173 litters, i.e. 1900 pure PLW and 2273 PLW × Polish Landrace (PL). Sows were kept in breeding
herds in the Warmia and Mazury region in the years 1998-2002 and were mated to PLW or to PL
boars. Reproductive performance of sows was characterized depending on the size of the herds
which were divided into 3 groups: I – up to 19 sows, II – 20-49 sows, III – 50 or more sows. In the
analysed population the mean number of litters delivered by one sow was 3.13 being significantly
affected by the size of the herd. Sows from group II had the longest productive life and thus in the
whole of their productive lives they delivered on average more litters (3.95; P≤0.01) than sows from
groups I (2.73) and III (2.77). Also the mean number of piglets in the litters of sows from group II
was the highest and amounted to 11.93 piglets at birth and 11.34 on day 21. Piglet mortality up to
day 21 was low, with the mean of 0.56 piglets (4.49%). It was the lowest in group III and differed
(P≤0.01) from respective values shown in the remaining groups.
Key words: Polish Landrace / Polish Large White / reproduction / sows
103
W. Milewska
Breeding performance of sows is, apart from fattening and slaughter value, one
of the basic criteria taken into consideration in selection work on the improvement of
pigs in Poland. Increasing litter size (at birth and on day 21) results in an improved
efficiency of pork production. Moreover, increasing litter size offers a potential for
more intensive selection for other economically important traits. Hence it is also
advisable to carry out annual analyses of reproductive performance traits in pedigree
sows [Orzechowska i Mucha 2003].
Efficiency of breeding work in terms of reproduction traits is limited by the
low level of heritability and by environmental effects, which may be reduced by
optimum feeding and proper zoohygienic conditions throughout the whole period of
reproductive life [Buczyński 1988, Kulisiewicz 1988, Tyra i Różycki 2000, Stasiak et
al. 2002]. Theoretical estimations indicate that selection response in the improvement
of reproductive performance traits may range from l.5 to 2.5% annually, whereas in
production traits it may even reach 5% at the assumption that selection for one trait is
conducted [Duniec 1984].
The main factor affecting breeding performance of sows is their breed. The most
popular and most numerous breeds in Poland, thus having the biggest effect on the
pig population performance as a whole, are Polish Large White and Polish Landrace.
They account for over 90% of the number of pedigree pigs in Poland and are the
primary maternal components in crossing schedules in this country.
The aim of the current study was to characterize production traits of Polish Large
White sows kept in breeding herds in the Warmia and Mazury region in the years
1998-2002.
Material and methods
The study included a total of 1337 Polish Large White (PLW) sows which were
culled after delivering from 1 to 12 litters, and a total of their 4173 litters. Sows were
used in 70 breeding herds in the Warmia and Mazury region in the years 1998-2002
and were mated to PLW or to Polish Landrace (PL) boars. Thus, among the analysed
litters 1900 were purebred (PLW) and 2273 crossbred (PLW × PL) litters.
The analysis included:
– individual performance traits: number of teats, standardized daily live weight
gain (g), lean content of body (%) and selection index (points);
– reproduction performance traits: age at first farrowing, age at culling, length of
productive life, farrowing interval, number of litters, number of piglets at birth
and on day 21, number of males and females in the litter on day 21, and piglet
mortality up to day 21.
Reproductive performance was characterized as depending on the size of herds,
which were divided into three groups: I – up to 19 sows, II – 20-49 sows, III – 50 or
more sows. The characteristic of litters included their origin (from primiparous and
multiparous sows), and genotype (purebreds and crossbreds).
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Genetic and Breeding Research on Pigs with Special Reference to Indigenous Breeds
The results were evaluated statistically using the analysis of variance in a oneway non-orthogonal system. Arithmetic means, standard deviations, minimum and
maximum values are shown. The significance of differences between the means was
verified by Tukey’s test.
Results and discussion
In the years 1998-2002 the smallest herds (group I) predominated and accounted
for 42.86% of all herds. Those of 20-49 sows (group II) accounted for 40%, while
herds of at least 50 sows (group III) accounted for 17.14% (figures not tabulated).
Table 1. Individual performance traits of sows in successive years (1998-2002)
Trait
Number of sows
mean
SD
Number of of teats
min.
max.
mean
Standardized daily live SD
weight gain (g)
min.
max.
mean
Mean backfat thickness SD
(mm)
min.
max.
mean
SD
Lean meat content
of body (%)
min.
max.
mean
SD
Selection index (pts)
min.
max.
1998
1999
Year
2000
2001
2002
546
14.69B
0.8
14
16
595A
56
440
881
11.12b
1.44
8.5
14
57B
1.7
51.3
61.1
122A
11
99
179
281
14.57
0.74
14
17
587A
49
476
773
10.37
1.77
6
16
57.1b
1.5
52.3
60.9
121A
9.5
101
148
291
14.47A
0.66
14
16
571B
39
485
712
10.38
1.57
7
14.5
56.8B
1.3
53
60.8
117B
8
108
147
176
14.53
0.74
13
18
594A
38
524
777
10.8b
1.67
7
16
56.7B
1.6
52.1
61.1
121A
9.2
108
167
43
14.6
0.76
14
17
603
37
516
691
9.76a
1.32
7.5
13.5
58.1Aa
1.3
54.7
61.2
127A
8.7
110
150
Years
pooled
1337
14.59
0.75
13
18
588
49
440
881
10.46
1.67
6
16
57
1.6
51.3
61.6
121
10
99
179
aA...
Within rows means bearing different superscrips differ significantly at: small letters –
P≤0.05; capitals – P≤0.01.
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W. Milewska
Table 1 presents the number of teats and live testing results of sows in the years
1998-2002. The number of teats ranged from 14.47 to 14.69, with the mean of
14.59. This trait shows a significant, but low phenotypic and genetic correlation with
reproductive performance traits. Selection for an increased number of teats is thus
advisable, since it may contribute to an improved reproduction [Lewczuk et al. 1991].
The number of teats exceeding 14 indicates high breeding value in terms of prolificacy
and milk production [Buczyński 1988, Lechowska i Kusz 2003]. Values reaching the
maximum (18 teats) suggest a potential for improvement of the trait.
Fattening and slaughter indicators in pigs are very important from the economic
point of view. In the considered population these live-tested indicators had the
following mean values: standardized daily weight gain – 588 g, backfat thickness
– 10.46 mm and lean content of body – 57% (Tab. 1). Mean selection index calculated
on the basis of the above mentioned traits was 121 points. It is a very good result,
confirming high breeding value of the analysed sows (class I). The maximum value
for this trait was 179 points, which shows a potential for further progress in fattening
and slaughter performance. However, Johansson and Kennedy [1983] and Eliasson
et al. [1991] reported that selection for lean content of body, and thus lower backfat
thickness, has a negative effect on the fertility of gilts. Also the studies by Klocek
[1998], Koczanowski et al. [2000] and Walkiewicz et al. [1994] show that gilts reach
high live weight gain fast, as a result of which they are used for breeding earlier and
their high level of lean content of body results in a decrease in energy reserves found
in the organism in the form of fat. Along with an increase in lean content of body the
backfat thickness decreases. In the course of the analysed years it was shown that in
2002 the lowest backfat thickness (9.76 mm) was accompanied by the highest content
of lean meat – 58.1%. In the opinion of Rozeboom et al. [1996] reaching by a gilt at a
given age minimum threshold levels of body weight and fatness are a necessary, though
not the only, precondition of the future high reproductive performance. Walkiewicz
et al. [1994] reported that gilts with a thinner backfat layer had less numerous litters,
showed poorer maternal care for their progeny, and exhibited symptoms of the next
oestrus later. Milk of these sows contained also less fat and unsaturated fatty acids.
In the investigated population a mean of 3.13 litters were obtained from a sow
(Tab. 2) the herd size affecting the trait considerably. Sows from herds of 20-49
animals (group II) during their productive live delivered on average more litters (3.95)
than those from small (group I; P≤0.01) or large herds (group III; P≤0.01). Also the
mean number of piglets /litter of sows in group II was the highest: 11.93 piglets at
birth and 11.34 on day 21. Piglet mortality up to day 21 was low, with a mean of 0.56
(4.49%). It was lowest in sows from group III of herds (P≤0.01 in relation to group I
and II ).
The mean age at first farrowing was 356 days, being by 4 days lower from the 2003
national mean and showing no relation to herd size. The age of sows at first farrowing
had a significant effect on the fertility and lifetime productivity of sows, measured by
the number of litters obtained in the whole reproductive period. According to Szostak
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Genetic and Breeding Research on Pigs with Special Reference to Indigenous Breeds
Table 2. Reproductive performance traits of sows in herds of different size
Trait
≤19
sows
Herd size
20-49
sows
2.73B
3.95A
2.39
2.23
1
1
10
11
11.88A 11.93A
1.12
1.45
7
7
16
18
11.22Bb 11.34Aa
1.08
1.29
7
7
16
16
0.65B
0.58B
0.72
1.00
≥50
sows
Herds pooled
2.77B
1.98
1
10
11.58B
1.52
7
19
11.11ab
1.26
7
16
0.47A
0.93
3.13
2.21
1
11
11.79
1.39
7
19
11.22
1.22
7
16
0.56
0.90
Age at first
farrowing (days)
mean
SD
mean
SD
5.35BD 4.56BC
3.69A
5.8
7.2
6.4
355
359
353
38
23
29
4.49
6.5
356
33
Farrowing interval
(days)
mean
SD
183B
28
184B
28
175A
45
180
36
Age of sow
at culling (days)
mean
SD
797B
444
1015A
394
832B
362
883
397
Productive life (days)
mean
SD
442B
171
656A
272
479B
161
527
240
mean
Number of litters from SD
one sow
min.
max.
mean
SD
Number of piglets
born in litter
min.
max.
mean
SD
Number of piglets
on day 21
min.
max.
mean
Piglet mortality (head)
SD
Piglet mortality (%)
aA...
Within rows means bearing different superscrips differ significantly at: small
letters – P≤0.05; capitals – P≤0.01.
[2001], at a too early mating of gilts the pregnancy and later lactation are exhausting
for the organism of the sow. However, a delayed first service, apart from increasing
maintenance costs, may also lead to problems with fertilization. Similarly, Milewska
and Grudniewska [1985] stated that designating sows for reproduction as late as at the
age of 9 months resulted in rearing one litter less compared to sows serviced earlier.
The former were also culled earlier. Also Le Cozler et al. [1997] observed poorer
reproduction performance in older gilts.
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W. Milewska
Herd size had a significant effect on the age of sows at culling. In herds from
group II with an moderate number of sows the animals were culled the latest on day
1015 (P≤0.01 in relation to group I and III). In the other two herd size groups the age
at culling was similar and amounted to 797 days in group I, and 832 days in group
III (P≤0.01).
Tested sows were used on average for 527 days. The length of their productive
live is a trait which should be taken into account at the selection of sows for further
breeding. As it was reported by Lewczuk et al. [11], the best results are obtained
from sows rearing up to 6 litters; subsequently reproductive performance deteriorates
leading to the shortening of the productive life of sows to about 3 years. In this study
analysed sows were used for a shorter period, which in combination with the mean
number of their litters (3.13) shows their intensive use.
The mean farrowing interval was 180 days (Tab. 2). It was the shortest in group III
(175 days), and differed highly significantly from the interval found in other groups.
The recommended optimum farrowing interval is 160-180 days, which makes it
possible to obtain 2 to 2.2 litters/sow yearly.
Fertility of multiparous sows was higher than in primiparous sows, amounting
to 11.93 and 11.30 piglets at birth and 11.34 and 10.8 piglets on day 21, respectively
(Fig. 1). Performance of primiparous sows was similar to the national mean, which in
2002 was 11.59 piglets at birth and 10.93 on day 21 [Milewska i Grudniewska 1985],
whereas litter size of multiparous sows was higher (Fig. 1). Litter size was significantly
affected by the breed of dams and sires. No advantageous effect of crossing was found
on litter size. Purebred PLW litters were larger than crossbred PLW × PL litters, both
at birth and on day 21 (Fig. 1). The highest number of purebred piglets at birth was
Fig. 1. Litter size.
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Genetic and Breeding Research on Pigs with Special Reference to Indigenous Breeds
Fig. 2. Mean number of purebred piglets at birth and on day 21 depending upon litter parity.
Fig. 3. Mean number of crossbred piglets at birth and on day 21 depending upon litter parity.
found in the 3rd litter – 12.18 piglets (Fig. 2). In case of two-breed litters the fertility
of sows varied (Fig. 3) which shows that heterosis is a one-time phenomenon and it
is difficult to predict its effect. Moreover, a significant role is played by the position
of a given breed in crossing, both on the maternal and paternal side [Czarnecki et al.
2000]. In a study by Milewska and Falkowski [2004] larger litters were obtained of PL
sows serviced by PLW boars than in the opposite breed combination.
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W. Milewska
On the basis of the results presented the following conclusions may be drawn.
In the PLW population in the years 1998-2002 of the Warmia and Mazury region the
share of small herds in which no more than 20 sows were kept, was too high. Means
for individual performance traits of sows were similar to the national means for the
PLW breed in 2002. Also the fertility of primiparous sows in the period analysed
was high and close to the national mean, whereas fertility of multiparous sows was
higher than the national mean. Sows kept in medium-sized herds (20-49 sows) had
the longest productive lives, and gave the highest number of litters and the highest
number of piglets per litter. They also had the best results in raising piglets. Purebred
PLW litters were bigger in size than two-breed litters (PLW × PL), which means
that mating PLW sows to PL boars did not bring about the expected advantageous
heterosis effect in this respect.
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Wanda Milewska
Cechy użytkowe loch rasy wbp utrzymywanych w stadach
hodowlanych Warmii i Mazur w latach 1998-2002
Streszczenie
Opracowaniem objęto 1337 loch pochodzących z 70 stad i 4173 uzyskane od nich mioty: 1900
czystorasowych miotów wbp × wbp i 2273 mioty mieszańcowe wbp × pbz. Lochy były użytkowane
111
W. Milewska
w stadach hodowlanych Warmii i Mazur w latach 1998-2002 i kojarzone z knurami wbp lub pbz.
Charakterystyki użytkowości rozpłodowej loch dokonano dzieląc je na trzy grupy, zależnie od wielkości
stad, w których je utrzymywano: do 19 loch w stadzie, od 20 do 49 loch w stadzie i 50 lub wiecej loch w
stadzie (odpowiednio grupa I, II i III). W badanej populacji uzyskano od jednej lochy średnio 3,13 miotów.
Na wartość tej cechy w znacznym stopniu wpływała wielkość stada. Lochy utrzymywane w stadach
zaliczonych do grupy II były użytkowane najdłużej i w związku z tym urodziły średnio w całym okresie
użytkowania istotnie (P≤0,01) więcej miotów (3, 95) niż lochy w stadach grupy I i III (odpowiednio 2,73
i 2,77). Również średnia liczba prosiąt w miotach loch grupy II była najwyższa i wynosiła 11,93 przy
urodzeniu i 11,34 w dniu 21. Śmiertelność prosiąt do 21 dnia życia była niska i wyniosła średnio 0,56
prosięcia (4,49%). Była ona najniższa w III grupie stad, a różnice w stosunku do pozostałych dwóch grup
były wysokoistotne (P≤0,01).
112