Breeding Swine Selection
by
Dr. Randy Harp
Purpose of Evaluation
• Value is the root word of Evaluation.
• Understand economic importance of
physical and genetic traits.
Evolution of the Swine Industry
• Lard Type
Evolution of the Swine Industry
• Bacon type
Evolution of the Swine Industry
• Lean type
Evolution of the Swine Industry
• Terminal Type
Evolution of the Swine Industry
• Production Type
Physical Evaluation Criteria
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Structure
Volume
Muscle
Condition
Balance
Structure
• Skeletal
• Reproduction and Maternal
Skeletal Structure
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Study from bottom to top
Toes
Pasterns
Knees and Hocks
Shoulder and Hip
Top
Reproduction/Maternal Structure
• Female
– Vulva
– Underline
• Male
– Testicles
– Penis
Volume
• Base width
• Rib Shape
– Crate adaptability
• Depth
• Growth
Muscle
• Smooth muscle vs. hard muscle
• Gilts vs. Boars
• Places to evaluate
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Bone/Foot
Forearm
Top
Hip/Ham
Condition
• Problems with too much
• Problems with too little
Balance
• Feminity/Masculinity
• Construction/Smoothness
• Balance out
Summary
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Evaluation
Many changes in the hog industry
5 major criteria
Remember: Evaluation is always about the
money.