Selection and Evaluation of Breeding Animals

2. Selection and Evaluation of Breeding Animals  AgriScience 2

3. Bell Work • Whats wrong with these pictures?

4. Factors affecting Selection • Production Environment • Performance Needs • Marketing Goals

5. High Stress low feed input concrete confinement climate low labor input Low Stress plentiful feed year around feed quality good moderate climate birthing assistance available pasture raised Production Environment

6. Maternal Performance fleshing ability milking ability adaptability large litter size birthing ease disposition Paternal Performance rapid growth leanness muscling conformation feed efficiency Aggressive breeding behavior. Performance Needs

7. Seed stock Herd herd improvement male sales show barrows/gilts Commercial Herd feeder operation finish operation Marketing Goals

8. Factors used based on….. • Producers needs or preferences • Characteristics that need improvement • Records or other data • When not known an artificial set of factors called a SCENARIO can be used. This is done in judging contests 

9. Selection based on 3 methods of evaluation:Major Categories • I. Visual appraisal • II. Production testing • III. Pedigree evaluation

10. Selection Criteria for breeding animals: Overview • Skeletal Dimension • Muscling • Trimness • Structural Soundness • Capacity • Performance

11. I. Visual Appraisal- Females Know the anatomy of the animal.

12. I. Female Visual Appraisal- Skeletal dimension, leanness, muscling • Conformation- Breeding animals should have the same conformation traits as the model animal for market animals. • Size and scale- appropriate size/weight for age. • Health and vigor

14. I. Female Visual Appraisal-Structural Soundness • Underline: The mammary development should be normal for species. None inverted, small or damaged. Normal size genitalia. • Breed character: Traits of the breed. Females should show femininity. • Soundness: The feet and legs are important. They must have good feet and legs. Legs should be strong and straight and should set out well on the corners of the animal.

15. I. Female Visual Appraisal- Soundness • Unsound- Obvious restriction of movement • Intermediate- Structural condition is not serious enough to create risk in movement • Sound- free of major or minor structural weakness

16. I. Female Visual Appraisal- Capacity • Spring of rib • Depth of side • width in chest floor • Need room for internal organs and fetus development for young.

17. Female Performance Appraisal • Select females from prolific mothers. • The ability of the female to raise large litters are an indication of mothering ability. • Weight gain of young from birth to weaning is the indication of milking ability of mother. • Cull females from small litters, that have difficulty birthing or poor milking ability.

18. Female Performance Appraisal Health Select only healthy females. Females should be tested for appropriate diseases for species and certified disease free. Select replacement females from home herds when possible.

19. II. Female Performance data

20. A sow is productive if?Selection Standards Prolific- min 8/9 offspring 2.5 to 4 lb birth wt. 21 day litter wt= milking ability Sow index- how good she is compared to her peers (contemp. group)

21. Lets do the mathSow index:= 100+6.5(L-l)+1.0(W-w) L= # piglets born alive l= avg. # piglets born alive for contemp group W= 21 day weight for individual w= 21 day weight for contemp group

22. Lets do the mathSow index:= 100+6.5(L-l)+1.0(W-w) • Betsy had 9 piglets • Her contemp. Groups had an avg. of 7 • Betsy’s piglets avg. 105 lbs. • Her contemp group avg. 110 lbs. • What do we know?

23. III. Pedigree • Record of female ancestry

24. Bell work: Did you know • Uncle Sam was a New York pork packer who sent barrels of Pork to troops in the War of 1812 stamped U.S. • Living High on the Hog came about because the higher rank you were in the army the better cut of pork you got. • Heaviest Hog ever: was a Poland China named Big Bill weighing 2,552 lbs.

25. Conformation Reproductive soundness Age Health Performance testing results Pedigree Selecting a Breeding male:

26. Visual Appraisal- Conformation • A male that has traits of the meaty hog • Carcass traits-Length, loin-eye area and back fat have high heritability • Look for soundness of feet and legs • Flat underline, trimness and muscling • Frame and body capacity

27. Visual Appraisal- Reproductive Soundness • Select a male that has visibly sound reproductive organs. • The testicles should be well developed and of equal size. • Do not select male that have umbilical or scrotal hernias. • Select males that are aggressive and show a desire to mate.

28. Performance- Health • You should check the health of the herd from where the male comes. • Buy only healthy males from healthy herds. • male should have a certification free of specific disease concerns of species. • He have current vaccinations for common disease concerns. • Should be free of external and internal parasites.

29. Age at 230 pounds Amount of back fat Average daily gain Feed efficiency Carcass quality Loin-eye area Weaning weight Performance Testing Typically 2 or three from the same litter will be tested

30. Pedigree • A pedigree shows the ancestry of the male. • It can be helpful in determining the potential breeding value of the male. • You can possibly check performance testing on close ancestors.

31. Age • males should not be used for breeding purposes before they are of appropriate age. • Replacement males should be bought 60 to 90 days before using.

32. Independent Study Assignment 1. Find selection standards for males and females of your species in the criteria we have just discussed. 2. Find all breeding statistics for your species: Gestation period Estrous cycle Estrus period length Puberty age Breeding age