The following are short abstracts on the contents of articles publishd in this year's edition. To obtain a complimentary copy by mail, click here:
Make Sure You Have The Right Connections: Check The Connectedness of Your Herd
While the EBV is an estimate of the genetic value of an animal, the authors from the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement Inc. of Ottawa suggest looking at the degree of connectedness between herds. The lower the degree of connectedness between two herds, the higher the risk of making errors when comparing EBVs across the two herds.
National Purebred Swine Trials
The CDPQ, in collaboration with CCSI and OSI, has developed a station evaluation project for purebred animals. Danielle Pettigrew of the Centre de developpement du porc du Quebec (CDPQ) concludes that the results obtained to date demonstrate that the health status programs of the participating farms and the application of the protocols of combining a segregated early weaning group during the nursery period are confirmed.
Eradication of the PRRS Virus : Yes, It Is Possible
The article by Drs. Boutin and Broes at the CDPQ in Ste-Foy, P.Q. document a case in which the PRRS virus was eradicated in several operations where the infection had been confined to the nursery.
Research Breakthrough : Predetermining Sex of Animals
Dr. Stan Blecher and his scientific team at the University of Guelph have announced laboratory results of a new method of sorting mammalian sperm into male and female producing sperm with a rate of accuracy greater than 90%.
The Future of the Independent Breeder
Mr. J. Chesnais of the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement Inc. suggests that breeding organizations have to increasingly rely on the ability to adopt new technology, unite and form alliances that are competitive both nationally and internationally, and develop a strong global image for their products and services.
New Indicies For The Selection of Swine Breeding Stock In Canada
The authors from the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement Inc. describe the new indicies which have been developed to meet the needs of commercial producers. The new sire line index includes % lean yields, feed intake, days to 100 kg, loin eye area, and % loin in the carcass. The new dam line index includes these traits plus litter size. The non-linear approach for lean yield will be applied after the first quarter of 1998.
A Tribute To Warren Stein, P.Ag (1942-1998)
Warren Stein, President of Thames Bend Farms Limited of Tavistock, Ontario, recently passed away. This article chronicles Warren's vast contributions to Canada's swine industry, and announces the establishment of the Warren Stein Memorial Fund for Swine Genetics Research.
The National Swine Registry
This article describes the role CSBA plays in maintaining the registry for all pure breeds of swine through the Canadian Livestock Records Corporation in Ottawa. The CLRC maintains the herd books for approximately 50 breed associations.
Excellent Trend In Registrations
In 1997, swine registrations in Canada increased over 15% to 20,802 pigs, compared to 18,073 in 1996. The article provides details of these registrations on a provincial basis.
Genetic Evaluations For Carcass Quality Now Available For Canadian Swine
CCSI's authors contend that future pigs will become leaner still, through genetic improvement, which bodes well to increase Canada's production beyond the current 18 million hogs per year. The two backfat measurements are currently being replaced with the measurement of backfat between the 3rd and 4th last ribs and a measurement of loin muscle depth at the same site to provide a more accurate lean yield EBV.
Message From Ministry of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada
Lyle Vanclief's article examines why Canada enjoys a global reputation as one of the world's foremost food producers and suppliers. In 1997, agri-food exports reached almost $21 billion, up over 4.5% from 1996.
Energy Intake Vs. Body Composition
Researchers from the Department of Animal & Poultry Science from the University of Guelph suggest that pigs will become fatter when they grow heavier, even when energy intake limits lean growth. This means that carcass quality will decline in pigs with increasing carcass weight, even if energy intake limits lean growth up to slaughter weight.
The Elimination of PRRS Infection In Swine Through Embryo Transfer
Research results from the Ontario Veterinary College at the University of Guelph conclude that only embryo transfer provides any hope of remedy for the rescue of PRRSV infected breeding stock, as embryos from infected donors could potentially be washed free of the virus and thereafter be used for herd repopulation.
Moving Into A Molecular Era
In the past 15 years, almost 60% of all improvements in growth rate and 90% of all the reduction in backfat in Canadian pigs have been due to genetic improvement. This article by J.P. Gibson at the Centre For Genetic Improvement of Livestock at the University of Guelph outlines the research initiatives in the development of molecular applications to pig improvements.
To Register Or Not To Register - The Value of Pedigrees
Dr. Gerry Kraay of Bova-Can Laboratories outlines why breeding registration is necessary to the industry, including how the Canadian system helps breeders to make decisions in improving their stocks. Advances in DNA parentage verification and identification further assists the breeder in identifying both positive and negative traits, adding a further quality assurance component to the industry.
Western Swine Testing Association
Murray Duggan describes the activities of the recently formed Western Swine Testing Association, a non-profit organization providing swine testing and genetic improvement and related services to seed stock producers and commercial herds across Western Canada.
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