Swine breeding

Publication date: March 1, 2021

Dale Vogt, Helen A. Swartz and John MasseyDepartment of Animal SciencesTechnically, various mating schemes of animals are classified under two broad categories — inbreeding and outbreeding. Classification depends on the closeness of the biological ...

Publication date: Nov. 1, 2018

How much advantage for a particular trait do superior animals transmit to their offspring? Heritability estimates help us answer this important question. This publication explains the meaning of heritability estimates, how they are calculated and ...

Publication date: Nov. 1, 2018

Reproductive performance of a herd boar depends upon proper care and management. Boars are frequently neglected, especially newly purchased boars en route and after they are brought home. There are essential steps in the care and management of a herd ...

Publication date: Nov. 1, 2018

Ronald O. BatesDepartment of Animal SciencesSuccess in commercial swine production is determined by a pork producer's ability to use resources efficiently. However, the level of efficiency that can be obtained is set by the genetic merit of the ...

Publication date: Nov. 1, 2018

Jodi Sterle and Tim SafranskiDepartment of Animal SciencesArtificial insemination (AI) in swine is not a new technique. There are reports as early as the 1930s of collecting semen for insemination. However, use of AI in the United States has ...

Publication date: Nov. 1, 2018

Any time a sow farrows prematurely, there is the fear that additional litters will be lost. An abortion rate of less than 2 percent is considered an acceptable level in most herds. Premature farrowing usually results from nutritional, genetic or ...