Genetic variation in piglet mortality in outdoor organic production systems

Effective Selection for Lower Mortality in Organic Pigs through Selection for Total Number Born and Number of Dead Piglets

“…In the case of L11, a two-trait breeding goal would give breeders the option to include welfare directly in the breeding goal [ 13 ], and emphasize selection for fewer dead piglets. Early piglet survival is mostly determined by sow behavior and genetics [ 12 , 26 , 27 ]. Using the genetics of sows and the two-trait strategy with TNB and D11, an organic sow line focused on improved piglet survival could be established.…”

“…The trait L11 = TNB − D11 is similar to the recent combined survival and litter size trait that is used in pig breeding programs in Denmark, namely, the number of living piglets at day 5 (L5) [ 1 , 17 ]. For organic production systems, L11 is a more suitable choice than L5 because (1) piglets are kept inside the farrowing hut and within the fenced area with the sow until day 10; (2) some dead piglets might not be recorded until the fence is removed at day 10; (3) most piglets die during the first 10 days of life [ 12 , 14 , 16 ]; and (4) survival until day 11 is mainly influenced by the sow’s genotype [ 12 ].…”

“…Using one trait that selects for litter size and fewer dead piglets overlooks the facts that that these traits are correlated, have different heritability, and are not economically equivalent. There is a genetic correlation between the total number born and the number of dead piglets in a litter; yet, their heritability is not the same [ 12 ]. Furthermore, because organic farming principles promote animal wellbeing/welfare and aim to reduce suffering [ 6 ], a dead piglet should have a negative economic value.…”

“…Especially for organic pig breeding, it is desirable to include a welfare trait, such as the number of dead piglets in a litter, in breeding goals directly [ 13 ]. Selection for sows that have fewer dead piglets in the first 10 days after birth could be an effective approach, as most piglets die during this early period [ 12 , 14 , 15 , 16 ].…”

Criação Animal Agroecológica

“…A seleção genética e o padrão de manejo animal estão quase inteiramente dirigidos a um tipo de produção que tem poucas similaridades com os sistemas agroecológicos e há pouco conhecimento científico em práticas específicas para melhoria da saúde nesses sistemas. A criação animal agroecológica deveria utilizar uma abordagem preventiva, realizar seleção genética para melhorar a saúde dos animais, a rusticidade e adaptação ao meio (CHU et al, 2022, SLAGBOOM et al, 2022, otimizar as condições da criação suprindo as necessidades dos animais, promovendo o bem-estar animal.…”