100 STANDARDIZATION IN THE
CUSTOMIZED C3-INDEX USED
BY TML
7/2/2014
C3 Index for use in selection
Darwin Tilstra and Magnus Haandlykken, Norsvin USA
Healthy, Efficient, Productive and Lean! ™
100 STANDARDIZATION IN THE CUSTOMIZED C3-INDEX USED BY TML
Background.
In general the total EBV is the main tool when selecting purebred boars, gilts/sows or litters for selfreplacement, sales or trials. Situational, there may be reasonable to use sub-EBV’s or specific customized
indexes in addition to provoke the strength in selection to get robust or profile pigs as optimal as possible for
a market or a client.
Norsvin started to use customized indexes in close cooperation with Norsvin USA for purebred lines in early
2008.
The C3-index was developed in cooperation with Maschhoff’s in mid 2008 by Norsvin Landrace. They wanted
an alternative to the total EBV in their selection at their Climax sow herd and also into their boar studs from
Norsvin USA’s offtest site Cedar Ridge.
The main breeding goal for all purebred lines in Norsvin was updated January 28, 2014. The genomic
selection was introduced at the same time, and also improved production traits from Norsvin Delta.
All these changes have made it reasonable to make the C3-Index average to be standardized to 100 in the
Landrace population.
C3 Index design.
Like mentioned in the introduction, Maschhoff’s wanted an alternative index compared to the normal total EBV
used for Norsvin Landrace. This is an complex and all-round customized index covering several trait areas
(both fattener and maternal traits).
The formula to calculate the C3-Index per pure Norsvin Landrace individually is like shown in this equation:
Standardized C3=(100+(individual C3-population average C3)*10/standard deviation population average)
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100 STANDARDIZATION IN THE CUSTOMIZED C3-INDEX USED BY TML
There have been two versions of the C3-index as shown in the figure below:
Design of the C3-index:
Trait
Version 2c,
Version 2a,
February
Version 1,
Version 2b,
September
2014,
April 2008,
April 2012,
2011,
economic
economic
economic
economic
weights (USD)
weights (USD) weights (USD)
weights (USD)
Feed conversion **
-0,52
-0,36
-0,36
-0,36
Yield %
2,71
1,3
1,3
1,3
Lean meat%
1,43
Number of teats
0,65
0,43
0,43
0,43
Liveborn 1. parity *
2,34
Liveborn 2. parity *
2,44
Liveborn 3. parity *
2,71
Days first mating
-0,06
-0,06
-0,06
-0,06
Days weaning-mating
-0,08
-0,04
-0,04
-0,04
Litter weight 21 days (1. parity)*
0,11
Litter weight 21 days (2. parity)*
0,12
Litter weight 21 days (3. parity)*
0,11
Weight 21 days
2,3
0,4
0,4
0,4
Days 25 kgs**
-0,29
-0,07
-0,07
-0,07
Days 25-100kgs**
-0,64
-0,18
-0,18
-0,18
Number total born
1,92
1,92
1,92
Number still born
-2,07
-2,07
-2,07
Inverted teats
-0,43
-0,43
-0,43
Litter weight
0,09
0,09
0,09
Piglet mort. 21 days
-2,88
-2,88
-2,88
Umb. hernia
-204,05
Scr. hernia
-30,35
Standing under
-3
Penalty points exterior
0,5
Straight hind leg pasterns
Page 2
-2,48
100 STANDARDIZATION IN THE CUSTOMIZED C3-INDEX USED BY TML
Version 1,
April 2008,
economic
weights (USD)
Average C3 index
(unstandardized)= 100 EBV
standardized
Standard deviation
Version 2a,
Version 2c,
Version 2b,
September
February
April 2012,
2011,
2014,
economic
economic
economic
weights (USD)
weights (USD)
weights (USD)
26,974
7,042
0,3
6,449
4,094
1,054
1,498
2,158
10
10
10
10
EBV points per standard
deviation
*In the former breeding goals for Norsvin Landrace, number of liveborn piglets and litter weight 21 days
were divided into parity 1, 2 and 3 as independent traits. Expired in 2011 when the EBV estimation models
were improved and the new traits for fertility were introduced (total born, still born and piglet mortality).
** The new production traits substituted in the 2c version above are as the following changes:
Feed consumption 25-100 kgs is substuted by Feed consumption 40-120 kgs
Days 25 kgs is substituted by Days 40 kgs
Days 25-100 kgs is substituted by Days 40-120 kgs
*** The C3-index has not been 100 standardized earlier, but the average total C3-index and the standard
deviation was updated April 2012 because the genetic parameters (heritabilities and genetic correlations
were updated) in accordance with the main update of the breeding goal for Norsvin Landrace. The version 2c
in the last column in the table above shows the 100 standardization figures (population average and the
standard deviation).
Changes within boar and sow categories.
The changes from unstandardization into 100 standardization will result in some changes in the levels as the
farm crew and co-workers are used to:
Category
Old C3-Index average
New C3-Index average
Southfield boar stud
133
95
RLG boar stud
135
95
Nebraska Gen. Lab boar stud
134
95
Climax sow herd
126
90
Sage Creek boar stud
139
98
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100 STANDARDIZATION IN THE CUSTOMIZED C3-INDEX USED BY TML
In the attached excel document are shown the changes individually at the boar studs and at Climax sow herd.
The action plan for implementation of the 100 standardized C3 at TML
C3 index by Norsvin Landrace
Activity
Responsible
Finalize the 100 standardization and make it activated. Magnus will Magnus and Darwin
100 standardize it once by week until the standardization is done
automatically at a daily basis
Time limit
End week 6
Inform Clint, Randy and the Climax herd crew and Norsvin USA
internally
Darwin and Magnus
End week 6
Assist key persons at the Climax sow herd and the boar studs if
needed
Darwin and Magnus
After week 6
Traits to be included/removed and economic weights if needed in Clint, Darwin and Magnus in
a version 3
interaction with the Norsvin R&D
team (Dan and Ina)
Week 15
Reprogram the traits into the new oracle-table and adapt for the
100 standardization as a daily routine
After week
15
Page 4
Magnus in cooperation to the
Norsvin IT team (Kjetil)