Improving weaned pig quality in today’s large litters
نویسنده
چکیده
Total weaning weight is a function of pig quantity and quality. Pig quality can be associated with individual pig weights and survivability. As litter size increases, total weaning weight increases at a decreasing rate. As shown in Figure 1., larger litter sizes not only wean more weight, but also have higher preweaning mortality. Increased litter size has been associated with smaller, more fragile piglets. Therefore, the system-wide impact of increased litter size could be limited due to production losses and inefficiencies associated with decreased pig quality. In order to maximize the economic impact of increased genetic potential for litter size, pig quality should be addressed and incorporated into selection programs.
منابع مشابه
Responses to 19 generations of litter size selection in the Nebraska Index line. I. Reproductive responses estimated in pure line and crossbred litters.
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