Bernard Dion

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Influence of French genetics from the commercial
producers perspective
2005, March 23rd

• Bernard Dion

Ferme J. P. Dion et fils inc.
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Context

• Increase of French genes since 5 years in our
  Canadian population

Laurence Maignel, CCSI
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Context

• Impact on genetic improvement

Improvement of Canadian maternal index (Yorkshire)
CCSI
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Context

• Impact on genetic improvement

Improvement of Canadian litter sizes EBV
(Yorkshire)
CCSI
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Context

• Impact on genetic improvement

Improvement of Canadian paternal index (Yorkshire)
CCSI
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Context

• Good ! We have more piglets born !

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Context

• Do we wean more piglets?

• Possible consequences of hyperprolificity
• Decrease of birth weight
• Heterogeneous birth weight
• Increase in stillborn piglets
• Decrease in piglets survival
• Decrease in weaning weight

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Producers perceptions

• Two different perceptions
• Give me more piglets, I will wean them.
• Can we have a sow that can take care of all her
  piglets ?

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Breeders reaction

• More piglets born more piglets weaned
• Management adaptation
• Piglets care
• Piglets adoption (nurse,  cascade , )
•  Body condition follow-up
• Adequate feeding

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Breeders reaction

• Other maternal traits become more important
• Piglets survival
• Number of functional teats
• Piglets growth
• Longevity (conformation, feet and legs traits)
• Etc..

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Breeders reaction

• Objective To preserve our good genetics

• Moderate selection on litter size (depending on
  your situation)
• Select on the maternal index (litter size already
  included in the index)
• Maintain efforts on paternal traits
• age, lean yield, loin eye area, feed conversion
  EBVs

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Breeders reaction
Objective To preserve our good genetics

• Maintain the genetic variance
• Moderate introduction of French genes
• Be careful with the inbreeding levels
• Try to use multiple boars

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Breeders reaction
Objective To preserve our good genetics

• Other important considerations
• Carcass and meat quality traits
• Conformation
• Genetic defects

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Breeders reaction

• Be careful with the judgment of the French
  influence
• Each boar has
• Positive effects
• Negative effects
• Important to verify all traits of a boar

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Summary

• Canadian swine genetic
• High genetic quality recognized
• High meat quality recognized
• Constant genetic improvement

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Summary

• Influence of the French genetic
• Rapid improvement of litter size
• Adaptation for the management
• Tight follow-up from the breeders

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Summary

• Genetic improvement
• The breeders select the best animals !
• Tools and services available
• Do not focus on one selection trait
• Many criteria need to be considered.

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Thank you !