Simulation of Heterosis Effects on Costs of Pork Production

Abstract

SummaryIndividual plus maternal heterotic effects on swine production were simulated with a bioeconomic model by changing performance levels of eight traits: -8 d in age at puberty, +3% in conception rate, +.94 in pigs born/litter, +.035 kg in pig birth weight, +2.05 Mcal'sow-l-d -l in maximum milk output, +8% in preweaning survival, +10.8% in protein growth rate and +17.3% in fat growth rate. Associated heterosis simulated for other traits, such as weaning weights and postweaning gain/feed, was similar to experimental results. Effects of heterosis on biological (feed Mcal/kg) and economic ($/kg) costs were evaluated by simulating two-and three-breed crosses and purebred production. Pig heterosis reduced $/kg lean or $/kg live weight by 4% for marketing at 100 kg, and by 6% for $/kg of lean and 8% for $/kg of live weight for marketing at average 185-d weight. output by increasing output/litter were responsible for most effects of heterosis on $/kg. However, heterosis in growth rate was important for feed Mcal/kg of lean marketed at 100 kg, and for feed Mcal/kg of live weight marketed at either 100 kg or at 185-d weight. Nonfeed costs/kg lean or live weight marketed at 100 kg were reduced more than feed costs by pig heterosis (-5 or -6 vs -2 or -3%) and by sow heterosis (-8 vs -1 or -2%). Effects of pig heterosis on nonfeed costs were increased to -12 or -14% by marketing at mean 185-d weight. Percentage reductions in total costs from heterosis were about one-third as large as corresponding increases in output/litter at market age.

Phenotyping of the Visceral Adipose Tissue Using Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in Pigs

“…Therefore, especially F1 crossbreds are used for fattening and reproduction, due to their superiority [75,76]. Carcasses of F1 crossbreds are characterized by higher weights, more lean tissue mass, but also higher fat mass [77,78]. In a study by Müller et al, traits such as growth, carcass, and meat quality were examined in wild boars, Meishan and Pietran pigs, and their crossbreeds [78].…”

A note on the effects of health environment on heterosis for growth rate in pigs

“…This has ramifications in the assessment of the economic value of crossing programmes (see for example Bennett, Tess, Dickerson and Johnson, 1983), and perhaps such economic evaluations should consider the health conditions under which the crossbreds would be expected to perform. This has ramifications in the assessment of the economic value of crossing programmes (see for example Bennett, Tess, Dickerson and Johnson, 1983), and perhaps such economic evaluations should consider the health conditions under which the crossbreds would be expected to perform.…”