Canadian achievements in swine breeding and reproduction
Monday, April 6, 2015
In recent decades, strides have been in performance testing, genomic evaluations, boar taint, in litter size, and research is ongoing into many components of sow productivity and improved carcass quality
by JIM DALRYMPLE
Canada continues to be a world leader in the areas of genetic improvement and reproductive enhancement in the swine industry.
The many players in the Canadian industry are led by the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement in Ottawa (CCSI), the Canadian Swine Breeders Association, the Canadian Swine Exporters Association, the Canadian Pork Council and the numerous provincial organizations and swine breeders throughout Canada.
The 2014 CCSI annual report highlights numerous new research initiatives and continued improvements in many components of sow productivity and improved carcass quality. CCSI is a national organization managed by a board of directors representing the Canadian Pork Council, Canadian Meat Council, Canadian Swine Breeders Association, Atlantic Swine Centre, Ontario Swine Improvement Inc. (OSI), Western Swine Testing Association and Centre de developpement du porc du Quebec Inc.
Ontario's Rod deWolde is currently chair of CCSI, whose mission is to enhance the ability of the Canadian swine industry to compete domestically and abroad, by providing leadership, coordination and services for swine genetic improvement.
Performance testing. The developments over the past 30 to 40 years have been astounding. Initially, visual observation for selection was replaced by a weigh and back-fat program requiring a scalpel incision at three locations along the back of boars and gilts. This required considerable restraint that would be a welfare concern today.
Ultrasound measurements became a reality. According to Dan Cohoe, OSI's general manager and a key person in Ontario's pork industry for over 25 years, "the development of ultrasound technology has been one of the major developments in swine improvement."
To date there are more than 5.5 million pigs in the CCSI database, with approximately 7,500 new probe records and over 10,000 new litter records entered every month.
Sows are about $126 per year more productive than six years ago due to genetic improvements in growth, feed efficiency, carcass quality, litter size, piglet survival and number of teats.
Genomic evaluations. Although the pig industry around the world has benefited a great deal from current genetic technology, new genomic tools promise more improvements.
It is possible to use genomics to provide more accurate early evaluations on traits measured later in life and sex-limited traits such as sow productivity and sow longevity. As an example, for maternal traits such as litter size, it takes about two years to have the breeding value of a boar based on the performance of his daughters. However, by that time most of the boars will have been replaced by younger elite boars to increase genetic progress on other traits of interest. Yet it is possible to have relatively accurate Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) for litter size and other traits at a very young age by using genomics technology.
Boar taint. Work around the world is underway to develop a solution to boar taint via genetic markers. In Canada, a project has been underway to identify boar taint levels in Canadian swine populations and to develop tools that breeders could use to reduce boar taint in entire males. Some countries are likely to ban castration of male pigs in the coming years – France as early as 2017.
OSI notes that "genetic marker development is a current major development in swine improvement." OSI has status with the Economic Union and qualifications with China and 21 other countries, and it has hosted delegates from many countries with a view to supplying fresh and frozen semen to these countries.
Recent improvements. Dr. Brian Sullivan, CCSI chief executive officer, says "some of the biggest impacts in genetic improvement in recent years have been on litter size." Current research initiatives in genomics are in the area of maternal traits. Also research is being undertaken into the issue of boar taint and a possible future demand for no castration.
James Reesor, a prominent Ontario pork producer and an OSI director, sees "a balanced improvement in sow productivity along with feed efficiency and carcass quality as key initiatives in recent years."
Artificial insemination. Swine AI was first introduced in the late 1960s and today accounts for up to 90 per cent of all the breeding in Ontario. With six boar studs in Ontario, the demand for purchased boars has diminished dramatically. The use of superior boars has led to genetic improvements in pork quality. Also, the use of AI has reduced the amount of time spent breeding sows and gilts. More space is also available for sows without additional investment.
Reducing the number of boars on commercial farms has reduced the costs of housing and the challenges of handling and shipping potentially dangerous animals.
Canadian Animal Genetic Resources Program. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada maintains the Canadian Animal Gene Resources (CAGR) program in Saskatoon to ensure the genetic diversity of Canadian livestock and poultry and to develop new techniques to ensure germplasm of most farmed animals. The three areas of interest are genetic diversity, gamete and embryo biology, and cryobiology. Currently, they have 14,265 doses of semen from six swine breeds.
Rod deWolde says that "the last 10 years have seen a marked improvement in sow productivity traits, litter size and number born live along with feed conversion."
Future efforts in genetic improvement with genomic developments may focus on health and the ability to prevent or fight diseases such as PRRS and EBVs. BF
Jim Dalrymple is the owner of Livestock Technology Services, Brighton, Ontario.
