Genotype by trait-specific season interactions for farrowing rate and average piglet birthweight

Author(s)
Bunz, A M G
Bunter, K L
Harper, J
Morrison, R S
Luxford, B G
Hermesch, S
Publication Date
2023-07-26
Abstract
<p>The aim of this study was to investigate if there are interactions between genotype and traitspecific seasons (GxTrS) for average piglet birth weight and farrowing rate from sow litters. A series of bivariate animal models were used to estimate genetic parameters. The current study found GxTrS for farrowing rate (genetic correlation <0.4), but not for average piglet birth weight (genetic correlation >0.9). Farrowing rate recorded in the least stressful season (low temperature and positive change in day length) was genetically different to farrowing rate recorded in the two most stressful seasons (high temperature and increasing day length or high temperature and decreasing day length). The results of this study showed that seasonal infertility in sows can genetically be improved by using trait-specific seasons. However, the heritability of farrowing rate was very low (h<sup>2</sup> =0.02) and improving the temperature control in the sow’s housing environment and developing effective strategies to minimise the effects of changes in day length on the sows may be more effective to improve seasonal infertility.</p>
Citation
Proceedings of the Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics, v.25, p. 115-118
ISSN
1328-3227
Link
Publisher
Association for the Advancement of Animal Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)
Title
Genotype by trait-specific season interactions for farrowing rate and average piglet birthweight
Type of document
Conference Publication
Entity Type
Publication

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