An Overview of Pig Breeding in Modern-day Pig Farming

A report shows that more than one billion pigs are slaughtered yearly, which shows an ever-increasing demand for pig breeding to fulfill the world’s food requirements. 

Pig breeding systems determine pigs’ genetic backgrounds and play a vital role in their performance and meat quality.

Due to advances in extensive breeding, which encompasses genetics, management techniques, and technology, pig farming has significantly improved efficiency and sustainability.

Pigs were bred to gain weight and back fat in those days. But in modern times, due to the innovation of genetic engineering, pigs are now being bred to have less back fat and to produce more offspring, which increases their count and also decreases the primary cause of the prolapse epidemic.

Every day, veterinarians and scientists seek new, cost-effective methods to impact pig breeding and benefit farming positively.

This article will explore the true meaning of pig breeding and the critical elements of modern-day pig breeding in pig farming. We will highlight how farmers optimize pig production through selective breeding, genetic innovation, and improved animal welfare practices.

What is Pig breeding and the different breeding methods 

Pig breeding is more than just a reproduction process. It is a scientific approach to improving pig genetics over successive generations. The primary objective of pig breeding in modern-day farming is to produce healthier and more productive pigs with traits that meet market demands.

These traits include faster growth rates, higher meat quality, disease resistance, better feed conversion, and environmental adaptation.

Pig breeding focuses on superior animals and increasing operational efficiency. This reduces production costs in the long run and meets the rising demand for pork locally and globally. 

One of the most significant advancements in pig breeding in recent decades has been using genetic technology to accelerate genetic improvement.

Genomics allows farmers to identify and select specific genetic markers associated with desirable traits. This enables more precise breeding decisions and allows improvements to be made in a shorter period of time compared to traditional methods.

Gene editing is another area of cutting-edge research in pig breeding. This technology involves altering the DNA of animals to introduce specific traits, which could potentially eliminate certain diseases or enhance beneficial characteristics.

For example, researchers are exploring ways to make pigs resistant to porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS), a costly and pervasive disease in the pork industry.

Although gene editing is still in its early stages and has yet to be widely adopted in commercial farming, it holds immense potential for the future of pig breeding.

The four different breeding methods in pig farming

Pure Breeding 

Pure breeding involves mating individuals of the same breed, resulting in offspring with a consistent genetic background.

The main goal of this approach is to identify and propagate desirable genetic traits for commercial production, often used in crossbreeding programs, and to retain high-quality females for maintaining valuable genetics. 

Outbreeding 

This method involves breeding individuals of the same breed who are not as closely related, avoiding any shared ancestors for at least four generations in the pedigree.

Outbreeding is beneficial within purebred populations to increase genetic diversity and maintain breed characteristics.

Inbreeding 

Inbreeding entails mating closely related individuals within the same breed, such as siblings or parent-offspring pairings. This method increases the proportion of homozygous gene pairs in offspring, intensifying desirable and undesirable traits.

While it can perpetuate beneficial characteristics, inbreeding may also lead to a higher incidence of recessive genetic issues, such as hernias, and often results in smaller litter sizes and other reproductive challenges, including reduced mothering ability and delayed sexual maturity.

Crossbreeding 

Crossbreeding combines individuals from different breeds, introducing new gene combinations that create unique traits in the offspring.

This method, often involving two or more breeds, is primarily used to enhance growth rate and resilience performance, a phenomenon known as hybrid vigor or heterosis.

Crossbreeding can take place between identified breeds or breeds with specific characteristics to achieve the desired outcomes.

One effect of crossbreeding local and exotic breeds is offspring with improved health, size, and growth rate. Selectively bred females may be kept for future breeding, and unrelated males may be introduced periodically to maintain genetic diversity.

Is Selective Breeding the Foundation of Pig Genetics Today? 

Selective breeding, also known as the artificial method of breeding, plays a vital role in the overall structure of the pig business.

Selective breeding involves choosing animals with desirable traits to parent the next generation.

Over time, selective breeding has helped pig farmers improve various performance metrics in their pig business, and this includes 

1. Growth rate: Modern pigs grow faster and reach market weight faster than past pigs. This means they can be sent to market sooner, reducing feeding and housing costs for farmers.

2. Feed efficiency: Feed costs represent a significant portion of a pig farmer’s expenses. Breeding pigs that convert feed into muscle more efficiently helps reduce costs and minimize environmental impacts.

3. Disease resistance: Through careful selection, pigs can be bred to be more resistant to certain diseases, reducing the need for antibiotics and improving overall herd health.

4. Carcass quality: In modern pig farming, meat quality is paramount. Selective breeding can improve pork quality by increasing the muscle-to-fat ratio and enhancing other attributes such as tenderness and flavor.

Breeding programs use performance and genomic data from individual pigs to select the best animals for reproduction.

This approach, known as genomic selection, has revolutionized pig breeding and made it more efficient and effective.

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Recommended selection and management techniques for Boars and Sows

For Boars: Effective boar management ensures high reproductive success. Boars should be physically fit, free from reproductive abnormalities, and exposed to stimuli that encourage sexual arousal. Also, semen quality should be monitored, and tests should be performed to verify fertility.

For Sows: Farmers should closely monitor key metrics, such as litter size, birth weight, and the number of piglets weaned per sow per year, to ensure optimal production.

Modern reproductive management practices involve controlling the environment and nutrition of sows to improve their fertility and productivity.

For example, using high-quality feed explicitly formulated for breeding sows helps ensure they have the energy and nutrients to support large, healthy litters.

To avoid excessive weight gain, nutrient intake should also be balanced. Regular exposure to boars helps stimulate heat cycles, and breeding should begin after the second or third estrus. Sows with prolonged infertility or poor litter performance should be culled. 

In addition, technologies such as ultrasound are used to monitor sow pregnancies and detect any potential issues early on. This allows for timely interventions to help prevent losses and ensure the health of both the sow and her piglets.

Breeding Gilts: Select quality gilts with important traits like adequate teats (at least 12), a robust build, and a strong maternal background. It is also beneficial to select gilts from mothers who have consistently large litters and demonstrate good maternal instincts.

Minimum Breeding Ages:  Generally, boars reach breeding readiness around 7.5 months, while gilts should ideally breed at their second or third heat for optimal reproductive results.

Artificial Insemination for Breeding Efficiency

Artificial insemination (AI) is now widely used in modern pig breeding, giving farmers more control over breeding. AI allows farmers to use semen from genetically superior boars, even if those boars are far away. This can lead to more uniform litters with better genetic traits.

AI also helps reduce the spread of disease, as it minimizes the need for physical contact between boars and sows.

Furthermore, AI makes it easier to manage the timing of breeding, allowing farmers to synchronize the reproductive cycles of their sows, which can lead to more efficient production.

In Conclusion

Pig breeding in modern-day pig farming is a complex and evolving field that combines traditional knowledge with cutting-edge science and technology. Through selective breeding, genetic improvement, and the adoption of new reproductive technologies, farmers can produce pigs that grow faster, are more efficient and are healthier. 

 

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