Estimation of Genetic parameters for Thai pig populations

Abstract

Data on 883 Duroc (Du), 1924 Large White (Lw) and 2290 Landrace (Lr) pigs performance tested in Thailand from 1994 to 2002 were used to estimate genetic parameters for production traits applying a multiple trait animal model procedure. The heritability estimates for Du, Lw and Lr were 0.21, 0.24 and 0.39 for average daily gain from birth to the end of test (ADG), 0.32, 0.21 and 0.34 for average daily grain over the test period (TDG), 0.26, 0.35 and 0.41 for ultrasonic back fat depth (BF) and 0.31, 0.10 and 0.26 for feed conversion ratio (FCR), respectively. Genetic correlations between ADG and TDG were relatively high (0.72 to 1.00), between ADG and BF were low (0.03 to 0.29), between ADG and FCR were moderately to highly negative (-0.42 to -0.89) and between BF and FCR were low (-0.07 to 0.20). Overall, these results agree well with estimates presented in previous studies.