Selection, Judging and Culling

• Selection 


  systematic way of choosing the desired characteristics ofpigs for breeding purposes

  important in starting a farm

  choice of the best animals for reproduction
• Objectives of Selection 


  To have pigs to produce:

  large litter size at weaning

  fast growers and highly efficient feed converters

  best quality carcass
• First Selection 


  2-3 months
• Final selection 


  5-6 months
• Natural Selection 


  The best boar gets the best sows, while theweak, sickly and poor ones usually die naturally and havelower chances of breeding other animals. As time goes on, theherd is getting better ("survival of the fittest")
• Artificial selection


  There is intervention of man on naturalselection. Man himself chooses which pig can be used forbreeding based on his own set of standards.
• Pedigree Method 


  In this method, selection is done on the basis of the individual's record of inheritance.
• Independent Culling Level Method 


  common system of selection

  This method establishes minimum standards for each character trait, selecting independently for each trait without considering their interdependence, with culling levels determined by trait heritability, economic significance, and desired culling percentage.
• Tandem Method 


  Selection for one trait at a time
• Selection Index Method 


  This method combines all important traits into one overall value orindex. Theoretically, a selection index provides a more desirable wayin which to select for several traits than either tandem method orindependent culling method.
• Selection of Gilts 


  Backfat

  Body Joints

  Back

  Body Conformation

  Feed Efficiency

  Feet and legs

  Fertility and Prolificacy

  Performance

  Size

  Mothering ability

  Reproductive soundness

  well-developed underline or mammary gland

  heritable diseases and abnormalities \
• Performance 


  Gilts should be from litters of 10-12 pigs for uniform weights
• Backfat 


  18-20 mm backfat
• well-developed underline or mammary glands

  6 pairs of properly spaced functional teats
• Reproductive soundness

  small vulvas are not advisable

  Vulva should be in the downward position
• Feet and legs

  Long legs and rangy pig are not advisable
• Fertility and Prolificacay 


  4-8 months

  6 moths is the first heat

  3rd heat is preferred

  8 months for breeding

  farrow at 11-12 months of age
• Selecting Boars 


  Behavior

  Sow productivity

  Performance

  Backfat

  Conformation
• Semen Quality 


  10-15 billion of sperms per ejaculation (natural)
• AI 


  2.5 - 3.3 billion are used per dose
• Selection of boars 


  6-7 months
• Used of boars 


  8 months above
• Service of boars

  9 months
• Replacement boars 


  60 days before breeding
• Judging

  Way to recognize to evaluate economic features which can be seen on the external parts of the pig
• Good production sow

  Greater than 18 piglets weaned per year
• Long life 


  Greater than 6 litters
• Good ADG

  Greater than 650 grams/day
• Good FCR

  Less than 3.0
• Culling

  Removal of undesirable individuals in terms of economic important traits