Original scientific paper
EFFECT OF AGE AND WEIGHT OF YORKSHIRE GILTS AT MATING ON LITTER SIZE AND LONGEVITY
Vitomir Vidović
; Faculty of Agriculture, Departman of Animal Science, Novi Sad, Srbija
D. Lukač
Ljuba Štrbac
M. Stupar
Abstract
The efficiency of pigs production very much depend on, e.g., the number of weaned piglets per sow per year and longevity of sow production. So, health of animals, genetic, feed technology regime and management are most importance factors which influence to pig industry level of economy. To explained effect of age and weight of gilts at mating on litter size and life production then longevity we used Yorkshire females breed. The relationship between age and weight of Yorkshire gilts and litter size and longevity then culling level has been analyzed. The data structure included 3.886 gilts which has been sorted in three groups of age at fertile insemination (180-210 days; 211-230 days and 231-270days) and three groups of weight at the same time (90-114 kg; 115-130 kg and 131-170 kg). Management and nutrition of gilts and sows has been treated at common level of production. Analysis included data from 4 farms and period of two years production (2009. and 2010). MME – mixed model has been installed to use FYS (Farm, Year and Seasons) and litter as fixed effect and sire influence as random. Significant influence of age and weight on litter size has been recognized. Also those two factors had significant effect on longevity and production of sows. The best results had gilts introduced with age of 231-270 days and with class of 131-170 kg of weight. Those factors had significant influence to longevity and life production. Genetic and phenotypic correlations showed high and significant value. All results have been interpreted in 8 tables and 4 graphs. The Yorkshire gilts have been selected as mother lines with 69% of selection to number of live born piglets, live piglets at day 5th and milk yield. Rest of criteria were use to improve gain, constitution, feed efficiency and meat content.
Keywords
pigs; reproduction; longevity; age; weights; correlation
Hrčak ID:
68073
URI
Publication date:
10.3.2011.
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