Animal Production

Table of Contents - 1975 - Volume 21, Issue 01  

Research Article

The comparative performance of purebred and crossbred boars in commercial pig production

W. B. Lishmana1 p1, W. C. Smitha1, M. Bicharda1 p2 and R. Thompsona2

a1 Department of Agriculture, The University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU

a2 ARC Unit of Statistics, University of Edinburgh

Abstract

An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the crossbred boar per se, and also to assess the value of including the American Hampshire into a first-cross sire. Groups of three boars were placed on each of 20 farms. Each group contained a purebred white (Landrace or Large White), a crossbred white and a crossbred Hampshire boar. Co-operators were asked to obtain at least six litters by each boar, record their performance to weaning, and provide a sample of the progeny of each boar to be reared under standard conditions to slaughter at 90 kg live weight. Breeding of the boars did not affect either the level or variability of litter performance. Differences in performance and carcass traits between the progeny of purebred and whitecross boars were found only for ‘eye-muscle’ area and fat depth ‘C’. Pigs sired by Hampshire-cross boars had carcasses which were 2% shorter than those from white boars.

(Received December 16 1974)

Correspondence:

p1 Present address: West of Scotland College of Agriculture, Auchincruive, Ayr, Scotland.

p2 Present address: Pig Improvement Company Limited, Fyfield Wick, Abingdon, Oxford.