Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Profitability of pig breeding'

The aim of this thesis was to investigate the features that underpin the Group Nucleus breeding scheme for pigs in which the population is subdivided into several herds. With Best Linear Unbiased Prediction it is possible to directly assess response. The estimation is, however, dependent on the underlying variance components used. In general, estimating breeding values with an inflated heritability in the model results in a high predicted response, whilst having much less of an effect on the actual response. Additionally, the reduction in the weight of family information results in more unrelated animals being selected. A method to utilise this effect in order to reduce inbreeding is presented. As the population is subdivided across farms, analyses were undertaken to determine genetic and phenotypic parameters both within and across farms; little heterogeneity of variance occurred for litter size. The low heritability of the trait does however confirm the need for specialised selection methods in order to achieve satisfactory response. The production traits also showed low heritabilities, but with up to twofold differences between farms. Further analyses of the data indicated that this heterogeneity of variance was due in part both the environmental differences and a sire by farm environment interaction. The effect of altering the proportion of artificial insemination (AI) to link farms was investigated. In general, the rate of response is robust to changes in proportion of AI matings for all but the lowest proportion AI, mainly because both AI boars and natural service boars (only used in a single herd) are highly selected. Moveover, the increased number of boars associated with natural service, for example at 90% compared to 100% AI, can yield greater responses in the long term due to a lower rate of inbreeding and consequently a larger available additive genetic variance. In summary, the theoretical studies indicate that a Group Nucleus population is a robust system in which to implement genetic selection with alternative testing procedures, proportion AI or parameter use effective for all but the most extreme cases. In practice, however, additional factors can cause low heritability estimates and subsequently low rates of predicted responses, and these are discussed.

Early pregnancy losses characterise the autumn infertility in pigs. At this time luteinizing hormone (LH) pulses are irregular and have lower amplitude when compared with those in spring. It has been hypothesized that inadequate pituitary LH support for the corpora lutea (CL) would induce disruption of pregnancy. However, there is no consensus about the mechanism causing the cessation of pregnancy during the less fertile period of the year. It has been assumed that the mechanism could be progesterone mediated. On the other hand, there is evidence that liberal feeding improves the conception or farrowing rates in gilts during the same period, despite the reported detrimental effects of abundant feeding on embryonic survival in early pregnancy. The mechanism involved has yet to be determined. The first objective of this study was to investigate the endocrinological mechanism of the early disruption of pregnancy, concentrating on the role of LH. A gonadotrophin releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist was used in three experiments to suppress LH-pulses for a shorter period than required to cause a direct regression of the CL. The second objective was to examine a possible difference in progesterone concentrations between the peripheral venous blood and blood in the vena cava in early pregnant gilts and to determine whether an episodic pattern of progesterone secretion occurs in pigs. Furthermore, three feeding regimens were applied to detect assumed beneficial effects of abundant feeding on progesterone production and, on the other hand, detrimental effects on progesterone concentrations in the peripheral blood.

Measures of production, physiology, behaviour and pathology were used to assess the effects of confined and loose dry sow and farrowing housing systems on the welfare of the sow and her litter. Litter size decreased and piglet mortality increased greatly after the sixth parity, regardless of housing system, resulting in a sharp decline in the number of piglets weaned per litter. Stall-housed sows gave birth to the most piglets per sow per year, but also had the highest piglet mortality. Overall, piglet mortality was higher in farrowing pens than in crates. Sows from the large group had a significantly larger number of returns to service after farrowing in crates. Behaviourally, all sows adapted well to the farrowing house. All sows showed an increase in the number of posture changes, reaching a maximum during the 24 hours immediately prior to parturition. However, this increase was greatest in those sows in farrowing crates, which had previously been housed in an open environment. Heart rate was influenced by stage of gestation, posture and behaviour. Stall-housed sows had a higher basal heart rate and heart rate response to feeding than group-housed sows, perhaps indicating decreased cardiovascular fitness and an increased sympathetic nervous response to stimuli such as food. When farrowing in crates, group-housed sows had a higher heart rate response to the suckling event than stall-housed sows. This may be due to general unresponsiveness in stalled sows or to high reactivity to the suckling event in group sows caused by frustration of mother-infant interaction. When involved in agonistic interactions, the change in heart rate was greatest for sows which lost a physical interaction. Stall-housed sows had weaker bones than group-housed sows, and different muscular conformation, probably due to lack of exercise. Bone and muscle weakness may increase the susceptibility of stall-housed sows to lameness. When lying down, stall-housed sows had greater difficulty and took longer than group-housed sows. The times taken for stall sows to lie down and to stand up quickly were positively correlated with body length. For group-housed sows lying down in the open, the time taken was positively correlated with proportional locomotory muscle weight. Spatial restriction when lying resulted in the loss of muscular control. There was a positive correlation between body length and the number of piglets crushed for stallhoused sows and group-housed sows farrowing in crates. There was also a positive correlation between body length and crushing mortality for group-housed sows farrowing in pens. This indicates that sows can have problems controlling movements, even in the presence of piglets. The results presented reveal several welfare problems resulting from stall housing during pregnancy. It would appear unreasonable to confine sows during farrowing, if they have previously been housed in an open environment. However, not enough is known about the causes of piglet mortality and any decision concerning the continued use of farrowing crates must take account of the trade-off between sow welfare and piglet welfare.

The most important income for the pig industry in Italy arises from the processing of meat in high-added-value typical products, mainly dry-cured hams having Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) label. Even through use of purebred pigs is not an exception, raw thighs are largely obtained from crossbred (CB) animals, which are slaughtered at heavy body weight (BW) (nearly 165 kg) and advanced age (270 d or more). Breeding programs of pig lines linked to dry-cured ham production should focus on enhancement of growth performance, carcass traits and qualitative and technological properties of green thighs, in order to comply the rules dictated by the disciplinary of production. Moreover, the breeding goal (aggregate genotype) must be defined at the level of the “CB slaughter animal”, so that the unfavourable effect on selection response due to genetic differences between purebreds (PB) and crossbreds, but also to environmental differences between nuclei and commercial farms, is alleviated. Given that breeding values (EBV) estimated using purebred phenotypes are often poorly related to the breeding goal defined at crossbred levels, the approach called “combined crossbred-purebred selection” is used in traditional genetic evaluation. It consists in estimation the EBV for the relevant traits using both PB and CB information. This approach is troublesome because it requires the availability of crossbred animals (half-sibs of the PB breeding candidates) which must be specifically reared as tested animals, and the phenotypic records of traits difficult and expensive to measured (as ham quality traits and curing losses). Moreover, EBV for members of a PB full-sibs family are identical when no PB individual information is available. The main aim of this thesis was to provide new knowledge about innovative traits important in heavy pig industry and to propose new statistical models and genetic evaluation procedures to enhance the prediction of breeding values for carcass traits, and qualitative and technological properties of raw thighs. The studies were carried out in collaboration with an Italian breeding company, Gorzagri s.s. (Fonzaso, Italy). It aims at producing boars (C21 line) and gilts (Goland line) used in commercial farms as sires and dams of CB pigs which are reared for production of PDO dry-cured hams. The first part of this thesis aimed to investigate the prevalence and the genetic determinism of boar taint (BT), a new trait related to both meat quality and animal welfare which is becoming increasingly important for pig industries in EU countries after the decision to ban surgical castration of piglets from 1 January 2018, and hence, the need to find alternative to reduce BT in entire male pigs. The objectives of the study were: to evaluate the prevalence of BT in intact male pigs at 160 and 220 d of age, and to estimate the genetic parameters for BT compounds at the two different ages and the genetic relationships with growth traits. Contents of androstenone (AND), skatole (SKA) and indole (IND) have been quantified by HPLC with fluorescence detection in biopsy samples of adipose tissues collected in-vivo from the neck area of 500 C21 entire male pigs at 160 and 220 d of age. In addition, for 100 of the investigated animals, BT compounds were quantified also in a sample of subcutaneous fat of raw thighs collected at slaughterhouse. Contents of BT compounds measured in intact male pigs at 220 d were higher than those found at 160 d of age, as well as the percentage of samples that exceeded the sensory thresholds discriminating tainted from untainted carcasses. Thus, the prevalence of BT is expected to be greater in mature and heavy pigs in respect to young and light pigs. The high phenotypic correlations between the contents of BT compounds measured in backfat and ham subcutaneous fat suggest that BT might be relevant also in PDO dry-cured hams. Medium-high heritabilities were found for contents of BT compounds at both ages, indicating that reduction of BT by means of genetic selection seems a valid alternative to surgical castration in pigs slaughtered at heavy BW. Genetic correlations between the contents of BT compounds measured at the two different ages were moderate to high. However, Spearman’s rank correlations revealed that the breeding candidates ranked differently when measures of BT compounds taken at the different ages are used. Finally, weak genetic correlations were found between BT compounds and growth traits, indicating that selective breeding to decrease the contents of AND, SKA and IND is expected to have trivial effects on growth performance. In the second section of this thesis the contribution of social genetic effects on variation of carcass and ham quality traits was investigated. In the current breeding program of C21 line the impact of the genetic effect of an individual on phenotypes of its pen mates (called social genetic effects or heritable social effects) is neglected. If present, social genetic effects are part of the total heritable variance and they affect the response to selection. The aims of this study were to estimate (co)variance components for body weight adjusted at 270 d (BW270), carcass and ham quality traits using direct and competitive models, and to compare the ability of such models to fit the data. The study was carried out on 9,871 CB finishing pigs raised in social groups containing from 4 to 7 individuals (6.1 pigs per group on average). Four sequential univariate animal models were compared through likelihood ratio test. REML estimates of covariance components were obtained for BW270, carcass backfat depth and lean meat (CLM), iodine number (IOD) and linoleic acid content of raw ham subcutaneous fat, subcutaneous fat depth in the proximity of semimembranosus and quadriceps femoris muscles, and linear scores for ham round shape (RS), subcutaneous fat (SF), and marbling. Model comparison based on likelihood ratio test revealed that the model accounting for heritable social effects was significantly better than the best direct model for BW270, CLM, IOD, RS, and SF. The contribution of social genetic effects to the total heritable variance was large for CLM and BW270, whereas the one for ham quality traits was lower. The correlation between direct and social additive genetic effects was positive for BW270, but it was not significantly different from zero, suggesting independence between direct and social genetic effects for this trait. In contrast, a negative genetic covariance between direct and associative components was found for CLM, IOD, RS, and SF, which reduced the total heritable variance exploitable for genetic selection. The results obtained in this study suggest that social genetic effects affect variation in traits relevant for heavy pigs used in dry-cured hams manufacturing and, hence, the procedures for estimation of breeding values should take heritable social effects into account. The third part of this thesis aimed to investigate new methods including genomic information in order to enhance the EBV prediction for traits related to carcass, ham quality and manufacturing of dry-cured hams. Genomic selection (GS) approach might overcome some of the drawbacks of current procedures for genetic evaluation of C21 line based on sib-testing. The objective of the first study regarding GS was to develop and to investigate GS procedures based on single step BLUP (SSBLUP) methodology for genomic evaluation of PB breeding candidates of C21 boar line for traits relevant for dry-cured ham production. Observations on BW270, carcass and ham quality traits were recorded from 11,488 CB finishing pigs. In addition, for 1,878 of the investigated animals, phenotypes for weight losses occurring during salting, resting and curing production stages were available. To constitute the reference population, 1,088 CB pigs, 136 nucleus boars (C21_NB: sires of CB tested pigs) and 500 C21 half-sibs of CB animals (C21_HS: half-sibs of CB tested animals) were genotyped for 8,826 single nucleotide polymorphisms using GGP Porcine LD Chip. Traditional evaluation was performed using BLUP methodology, whereas genomic evaluation was carried out using SSBLUP method which combine pedigree and genomic information in order to estimate genomic breeding values (GEBV) for both genotyped and ungenotyped animals. Pearson’s correlation coefficients between EBV and GEBV (r_(EBV,GEBV)) were calculated in order to compare traditional and genomic evaluation. In addition, the 500 C21_HS with genotypic information were used to validate the prediction equation. High r_(EBV,GEBV) were observed for all the investigated traits for both CB animals, C21_NB, suggesting that genetic merit estimated using GS was consistent with breeding values prediction from traditional evaluation. Positive and moderate to high r_(EBV,GEBV) were observed for C21_HS used in validation population. Differences in ranks of breeding candidates were found when they were based on traditional EBV or GEBV. In contrast to EBV, GEBV differed for members of a PB full-sibs family when they had genomic information. Thus, GS allows to choose the best animals based on “individual” genetic merit rather than “family” merit, increasing the accuracy of selection and reducing the rate of inbreeding. In addition, GS procedures might simplify genetic evaluation of PB breeding candidates of C21 boar line for traits difficult to measure. As found in the second part of this thesis, competitive models provided a better fit than classical direct model for BW270, CLM, IOD, RS and SF. Hence, for these traits, traditional genetic evaluation accounting for heritable social effects was compared to SSBLUP analysis performed using a competitive model. The dataset used in this study was the same described above. For animals in validation population, positive and moderate to high Spearman’s correlation coefficients between direct EBV and direct GEBV were found for all the investigated traits, as well as between total breeding values and total genomic breeding values (TGBV). Hence, differences in ranks of breeding candidates were observed even when social genetic effects were included in the genomic evaluation. In fact, GS procedures accounting for heritable social effects allow to obtain individual TGBV rather than “family” TBV, increasing the benefit of GS for genetic evaluation of PB boar lines linked to dry-cured ham production.<br>I profitti più rilevanti per l’industria suinicola italiana derivano dalla trasformazione della carne in prodotti tipici di alto valore economico, principalmente prosciutti crudi con Denominazione di Origine protetta (DOP). Le cosce fresche destinate alla produzione dei prodotti DOP derivano principalmente da soggetti ibridi che vengono macellati a pesi elevati (circa 165 kg) e ad età avanzate (almeno 270 giorni). I programmi di selezione delle linee suine destinate alla produzione dei prosciutti crudi dovrebbero focalizzarsi sul miglioramento delle prestazioni di crescita, della qualità della carcassa e delle caratteristiche qualitative e tecnologiche delle cosce fresche, cosicché i requisiti dettati dai disciplinari di produzione siano soddisfatti. In questo scenario gli obiettivi di selezione devono essere definiti a livello di soggetto ibrido, piuttosto che a livello di linea pura. I valori genetici (breeding values, EBV) stimati utilizzando le informazioni fenotipiche dei soggetti di linea pura sono poco correlati con gli obiettivi di selezione definiti al livello dei soggetti ibridi. Per questo la valutazione genetica dei candidati riproduttori di linea pura attualmente avviene attraverso un approccio che combina informazioni derivanti sia da soggetti puri che da soggetti ibridi. Questo approccio presenta alcune criticità dovute alla necessità di allevare appositamente soggetti ibridi (mezzi fratelli dei candidati riproduttori di linea pura) per ottenere i rilievi fenotipici per caratteristiche che alcune volte sono difficili da misurare (come i caratteri di qualità della coscia o i cali di stagionatura). Inoltre, quando nella valutazione genetica non sono incluse informazioni fenotipiche rilevate sugli animali di linea pura, i EBV per i candidati riproduttori che appartengono alla stessa famiglia di fratelli pieni sono identici. L’obiettivo principale della tesi è stato quello di fornire nuove conoscenze su caratteri innovativi per l’industria del suino pesante e di proporre nuovi modelli statistici e procedure di valutazione genetica per migliorare la predizione dei EBV per caratteri legati alla qualità della carcassa e delle cosce fresche destinate alla produzione dei prosciutti crudi DOP. Gli studi qui presentati sono stati condotti in collaborazione con un’azienda suinicola italiana, Gorzagri s.s (Fonzaso, Italia). Essa ha come obiettivo la produzione di verri (linea C21) e scrofe (linea Goland) usati negli allevamenti commerciali come padri e madri di soggetti ibridi destinati alla produzione dei prodotti DOP. La prima parte della tesi si proponeva di studiare l’incidenza e il determinismo genetico dell’odore di verro, un nuovo carattere associato sia alla qualità della carne che al benessere animale, il quale sta diventando sempre più rilevante per l’industria suinicola italiana ed europea dopo la decisione di abbandonare la castrazione chirurgica dei suinetti maschi a partire dal 1 gennaio 2018. Questo impone la necessità di trovare valide alternative a questa pratica per ridurre l’odore di verro nei suini maschi interi. Allo scopo di indagare la possibilità di sfruttare la selezione genetica per limitare l’odore di verro nel suino pesante, gli obiettivi dello studio sono stati: valutare la prevalenza dell’odore di verro in suini maschi interi di 160 e 220 giorni d’età e stimare i parametri genetici per i composti responsabili del problema alle due diverse età nonchè le relazioni genetiche che intercorrono tra questi e i caratteri legati all’accrescimento. I contenuti di androstenone (AND), scatolo (SCA) e indolo (IND) sono stati quantificati tramite cromatografia liquida ad alta prestazione in microcampioni di tessuto adiposo prelevati in-vivo dalla regione del collo di 500 suini maschi interi della linea C21 al raggiungimento dell’età di 160 e 220 giorni. Inoltre, per 100 di essi, i composti sono stati quantificati anche in un campione di grasso di copertura della coscia prelevato in sede di macellazione. Le concentrazioni dei tre composti misurati nel grasso di animali di 220 giorni sono risultati superiori a quelli riscontrati a 160 giorni di età, così come la percentuale di campioni che superano i limiti di accettabilità utilizzati per discriminare le carcasse affette o meno dall’odore di verro. Questo suggerisce che l’incidenza del problema dell’odore di verro è maggiore nei suini più pesanti e maturi da un punto di vista sessuale. Inoltre, un’elevata correlazione è stata riscontrata tra il contenuto di AND, SCA e IND nel grasso dorsale e nel grasso di copertura delle cosce, suggerendo che il problema può essere rilevante anche nei prosciutti crudi DOP. I composti responsabili dell’odore di verro hanno mostrato un’elevata ereditabilità ad entrambe le età, confermando che la selezione genetica potrebbe essere una valida soluzione per ridurre l’odore di verro anche in suini macellati a pesi elevati. Le correlazioni genetiche tra AND, SCA e IND misurati alle due diverse età sono risultate di grado moderato o elevato. Tuttavia, sono state riscontrate delle differenze nelle classifiche dei candidati riproduttori quando i fenotipi misurati alle due diverse età sono stati usati per la stima dei EBV. Infine, le correlazioni genetiche tra AND, SCA e IND e caratteri legati all’accrescimento sono risultate modeste, suggerendo che la riduzione della concentrazione di questi composti nel tessuto adiposo tramite selezione genetica non dovrebbe influenzare le prestazioni di crescita in suini non castrati. Nella seconda parte di questa tesi è stato esaminato in contributo degli effetti sociali sulla variabilità di caratteri legati alla qualità della carcassa e della coscia in suini pesanti. Le attuali procedure di valutazione genetica della linea C21 non tengono in considerazione l’influenza che il genotipo di un animale ha sul fenotipo dei suoi compagni di gruppo (effetto sociale). Se presenti, gli effetti sociali contribuiscono alla varianza ereditabile e quindi possono influenzare la risposta alla selezione. Lo studio si è quindi proposto di stimare le componenti di varianza per il peso a 270 giorni di età (PESO270), caratteri di qualità della carcassa e della coscia utilizzando modelli genetici “classici” e modelli competitive (che includono gli effetti sociali), nonché determinare la bontà dell’adattamento ai dati di questi modelli. Lo studio è stato condotto su 9,871 suini ibridi Goland allevati in gruppi contenenti da 4 a 7 individui, con dimensione media del gruppo pari a 6.1 suini. Quindi, quattro modelli sequenziali sono stati utilizzati per la stima delle componenti di varianza. Il confronto dei modelli ha rivelato che il modello competitive mostra un miglior adattamento ai dati rispetto ad un modello che considera solo gli effetti genetici additivi per il PESO270, la percentuale di carne magra in carcassa (CM), il numero di iodio, la globosità e lo spessore del grasso sottocutaneo misurati sulla coscia. Gli effetti sociali contribuiscono in modo considerevole alla varianza ereditabile per il PESO270 e CM, mentre hanno un effetto meno rilevante per gli altri caratteri esaminati. La correlazione tra la componente genetica additiva e quella sociale è risultata negativa per i caratteri legati alla qualità della carcassa e della coscia, causando una diminuzione della varianza ereditabile sfruttabile per la selezione di questi caratteri. In conclusione, lo studio ha dimostrato che gli effetti sociali contribuiscono alla variabilità di caratteri rilevanti nel suino pesante destinato alla produzione dei prosciutti crudi DOP e, quindi, le attuali procedure per la valutazione genetica della linea C21 dovrebbero includere anche la componente sociale. La terza parti della tesi ha riguardato lo studio di nuove procedure di valutazione genetica basate sulla selezione genomica (SG). L’obiettivo è quello di migliorare la predizione dei EBV per caratteri importanti nel suino pesante superando alcune delle criticità dell’attuale sistema di valutazione genetica della linea C21 basato su un programma di sib-testing. In un primo lavoro, sono state studiate procedure di SG basate sulla metodologia single-step BLUP (SSBLUP). Le informazioni fenotipiche per caratteri riguardanti la qualità della carcassa e della coscia sono state registrate in 11,488 suini ibridi Goland. Per 1,878 animali sono stati inoltre rilevati i cali di peso della coscia durante le diverse fasi di trasformazione in prosciutto crudo. Allo scopo di costituire la popolazione di riferimento per lo sviluppo dell’equazione di predizione dei breeding values genomici (GEBV), 1,088 soggetti ibridi, 136 verri nucleo di linea C21 (C21_VN) e 500 soggetti C21 mezzi fratelli degli animali ibridi (C21_MF) sono stati genotipizzati per 8,826 polimorfismi a singolo nucleotide utilizzando il DNA chip GGP Porcine LD Chip. La valutazione genetica tradizionale è stata condotta sfruttando la metodologia BLUP, mentre la valutazione genomica si è basata su un approccio SSBLUP. L’equazione di predizione dei GEBV è stata validata utilizzando i 500 C21_MF con genotipo come popolazione di validazione. La valutazione genetica tradizionale e quella genomica sono state confrontate tra loro attraverso la correlazione tra EBV e GEBV (r_(EBV,GEBV)). Elevati coefficienti di correlazione tra EBV e GEBV sono stati osservati sia per i soggetti ibridi genotipizzati che per gli individui C21_VN, suggerendo che le stime dei GEBV sono simili a stime accurate dei EBV ottenute con metodi tradizionali. Per quanto concerne i soggetti inclusi nella popolazione di validazione, r_(EBV,GEBV) sono risultate di entità minore rispetto ai due gruppi considerati in precedenza. Differenze nelle classifiche dei candidati riproduttori sono state osservate quando esse erano basate sui EBV piuttosto che sui GEBV. Tali differenze sono attribuibili all’abilità della metodologia SSBLUP di stimare GEBV individuali, anziché EBV identici per soggetti che appartengono alla stessa famiglia di fratelli pieni (quando essi hanno informazione genomica). Quindi l’utilizzo di un approccio di SG permette di scegliere i soggetti migliori in base a meriti genetici individuali piuttosto che “familiari”, limitando il tasso di consanguineità e aumentando l’accuratezza della selezione. Inoltre, i risultati ottenuti rivelano che l’implementazione di procedure di SG nel programma di selezione della linea C21 consentirebbero di introdurre tra gli obiettivi di selezione anche caratteri di difficile misurazione. Come descritto in precedenza, gli effetti sociali contribuiscono alla variabilità di caratteri rilevanti per il suino pesante e che modelli competitive forniscono un miglior adattamento ai dati per i caratteri PESO270, CM, il numero di iodio, la globosità e lo spessore del grasso sottocutaneo misurati sulla coscia. Quindi, per questi caratteri, sono state analizzate procedure di SG basate sulla metodologia SSBLUP che consideravano, oltre agli effetti genetici diretti, anche gli effetti sociali. Le informazioni fenotipiche e genomiche utilizzate sono le medesime descritte per il precedente studio. Differenze nelle classifiche degli animali inclusi nella popolazione di validazione sono state riscontrate sia quando esse erano basate su EBV e GEBV riferiti alla sola componente genetica diretta, che quando sono stati utilizzati i valori genetici e genomici totali. Quindi l’implementazione procedure di SG nel programma di selezione della linea C21 che utilizzano modelli competitive consentirebbero di sfruttare i vantaggi della SG già descritti in precedenza e contemporaneamente stimare più correttamente la varianza ereditabile totale considerando anche la componente associativa.

In this thesis several aspects of Marker Assisted Introgression (MAI) are investigated, keeping in mind the application of the methods to pig breeding. During the process of introgression of a desirable gene from a donor population into a recipient population, markers were used to identify the gene of interest as well as the background genome. The first part of this study deals with consequences of using markers of which the alleles could occur in both base populations. The effects were studied over 5 generations of backcrossing. Using a marker bracket was a much more reliable way to identify the introgressed allele than using a single marker. Applying selection on background (recipient) genotype gave a rapid decrease in the frequency of the introgressed allele, even when the marker alleles were nearly unique to the base populations. Selection on the probability of presence of the desired trait allele while giving preference to heterozygotes (that produce informative gametes that can more often be traced to the correct parent) gave a better retention of the introgressed allele. If possible it would be better to preselect each parental pair on uniqueness of their marker alleles. The second part of the thesis deals with fine mapping a QTL during its introgressing. First a tool was developed to measure the accuracy of the QTL position estimate and then different selection strategies were compared with respect to their ability to map to QTL as precisely as possible, their ability to rapidly recover the background (recipient) genotype and their ability to retain the desired QTL allele. A dense map of fully informative markers was assumed. Some of the simulations used modelled an idealised situation, nonetheless, the conclusions provide valuable information for current pig breeding practice. Furthermore, the rapid development of marker technology and maps means the methods can probably be applied in the near future with relatively minor modifications.

A propriedade suinícola encontra-se hoje numa fase que, dificilmente poderá fugir ao processo integrador, disponibilizado pelas empresas detentoras de recursos financeiros e tecnológicos. No entanto, o produtor sujeita-se a margens estreitas de lucratividade pelas facilidades que o processo em si lhe oferece. A presente pesquisa consiste num estudo exploratório com o objetivo de analisar o desempenho dos produtores, no sistema integrado de suínos, a partir da caracterização da cadeia de valor adaptada à atividade suinícola. Para isso, foram realizadas entrevistas com técnicos da área e aplicados questionários junto a doze suinocultores, — divididos em três categorias: pequenos, médios e grandes produtores — da Região Centro Oriental do Estado, participantes do sistema de integração da Cooperativa Agropecuária Languiru Ltda., em Teotônia — RS. A análise diagnóstico foi realizada com base no referencial teórico, envolvendo aspectos ligados à suinocultura, à cadeia produtiva, com ênfase no sistema de produção, e à cadeia de valores que ofereceu a melhor alternativa para identificar o desempenho dos suinocultores. Nesse contexto, observou-se estar o desempenho dos produtores condicionado à conversão alimentar e o período de engorda, associado ao processo de gestão da propriedade suinícola.<br>Rural properties devoted to pig breeding are currently in a situation in which they will hardly be able to avoid taking part in the integrating process made available by financially and technologically privileged companies. However, producers have to face low profit rates due to the features inherent to such process. This paper is a study which has as a goal to analyze the producers' performance in the pig breeding integrated system, departing from the chain of values adaptad to the pig breeding environment. To do so, interviews with technicians have been done, as well as questionnaires have been submitted to twelve pig breeders - split into three categories: small, medium and big producers - from the west central region of the state, that participate of the Cooperativa Agropecuária Languiru Ltda. integrating system, in Teutônia, RS. A diagnostic analysis was done based upon the theory related to pig breeding, the productive chain focused in this production system, and the chain of values that offered the best alternative to identify the producers' performances. In such context, it has been observed that the producers' performance is conditioned by food conversion and the fatten period, associated with the property mangement process.

La sélection génomique (SG) des animaux et des plantes a été rendue possible grâce aux avancées des biotechnologies, notamment des puces à ADN de haute densité et de faible coût. Son efficacité et sa profitabilité a été clairement démontrée chez les bovins laitiers, où elle a été très rapidement mise en pratique. En revanche, son application pour les petits ruminants est encore limitée, et, notamment, n’a pas démarré en France. Ses potentialités sont toutefois à l’étude dans quelques programmes concernant les ovins et caprins laitiers, et les responsables des filières correspondantes désirent connaitre l’efficacité de cet outil dans leur situation. Cependant, la prudence est de règle, compte tenu des différences entre les schémas de sélection des bovins laitiers et des petits ruminants. Cette étude fait partie d’un programme entrepris pour évaluer l’utilisation et la gestion de l’information génomique dans les schémas de sélection ovin et caprin. Au cours de cette thèse ont été examinés (1) l’impact de la SG sur le gain génétique dans des schémas de sélection de petits ruminants, (2) l’efficacité économique de la SG en petits ruminants, en prenant l’exemple d’un programme de sélection ovin-viande; (3) l’importance d’une optimisation de certaines décisions (quantifiées par des variables dans un modèle décrivant les schémas) pour maximiser le progrès génétique et (4) une piste contribuant à l’optimisation de la population de référence. Les modèles utilisés appartiennent au champ des méthodes déterministes et les exemples ont porté sur les schémas de sélection existants (ovins laitiers, ovins viande et caprins laitiers). Les résultats de cette étude suggèrent que la sélection génomique peut être plus rentable que la sélection classique en terme de gain génétique, à condition qu’une population de référence de taille moyenne soit disponible (environ 2000 individus). Ils montrent, en particulier dans les schémas laitiers, que le potentiel de la SG de réduire l’intervalle de génération pourrait fortement augmenter le gain génétique. Dans le schéma ovin allaitant modélisé, combiner l’information génomique et les phénotypes de caractères bouchers donne plus de gain génétique que la sélection classique ou la SG sans phénotype sur les candidats. En termes d’impacts économiques, les résultats du schéma ovin allaitant modélisé montrent que toutes les stratégies de sélection génomiques sont plus onéreuses que la sélection classique. Cependant, les gains marginaux (recettes totales moins coûts variables) de certains scénarii de SG s’avèrent légèrement plus élevés que pour la sélection classique. L’étude montre également, dans tous les schémas et stratégies de sélection, que l’optimisation de l’utilisation de variables de décision pourrait grandement augmenter le gain génétique et l’efficacité économique, par rapport aux situations actuelles. Avec cette étude, on peut conclure que la mise en place de la sélection génomique dans les programmes de sélection des petits ruminants est possible et pourrait être plus bénéfique que la sélection classique dans certains cas. Cependant, il y a plus d’obstacles par rapport aux bovins laitiers, en particulier, la construction d’une population de référence fiable et des coûts élevés de génotypages par rapport à la valeur des candidats à la sélection. Ces obstacles pourraient freiner sa mise en œuvre, voire l’empêcher dans certaines races<br>Implementing genomic selection (GS) in small ruminant breeding programs is still at the research and development level. This new way of selection in animals and plants was made possible thanks to the development of low costs, high density SNP chips. It proved to be highly beneficial in dairy cattle breeding programs. The French small ruminant industries are strongly interested in evaluating the efficiency of this tool in their situation. However, they are also very cautious given the inherent differences in terms of capacity and functionalities between dairy cattle and small ruminant breeding programs. This study is part of bigger efforts mobilized to evaluate the use and management of genomic information in sheep and goats breeding programs. The PhD work examined (1) the impact of genomic selection on genetic gain of small ruminant breeding programs; (2) the economic efficiency of genomic selection in small ruminant, through an example of a meat sheep breeding program; (3) the benefits of optimizing the use of decision variables on genetic gain; and (4) contributed some ideas on how to optimize the choice of individuals in the reference population. The modeling parts were done by deterministic methods and the examples focused on the existing breeding programs (dairy sheep, meat sheep and dairy goats) with medium to small size breeding units. The results of this study suggest that adopting genomic selection can be more profitable than classic selection in terms of genetic gain, provided that, at least, a medium size reference population is available (around 2,000 individuals). They show, especially in dairy breeds, that the GS potentials of reducing generation interval could greatly increase the genetic gain. In meat sheep breeding program, exploring the possibility of combining genomic information and meat phenotypes gave higher genetic gain than classic or pure genomic selection. In terms of economic impacts, results of the meat sheep breeding program we modeled show that all genomic selection strategies are more expensive than classic selection. However, the contribution margins (total revenues minus total variable costs) of some GS variants were slightly higher than benefits from classic selection. The study also shows, across breeds and selection strategies, that optimizing the use of decision variables could greatly increase the genetic gain and benefits, compared to the current situation. With this thesis we can conclude that adopting genomic selection in small ruminant breeding programs is possible and could be more beneficial than classic selection in some cases. However, there are more obstacles compared to dairy cattle, especially, construction of reliable reference populations and high costs of genotypes relative to the value of selection candidates. These might delay implementation in general or prevent it in some breeds

L’objectiu general de la tesi va ser explorar diferents procediments directes i indirectes d’avaluació genètica de l’eficiència alimentària que permetin reduir les inversions necessàries en sistemes de registre del consum individual amb una mínima pèrdua de l’eficàcia de la selecció. Per tal d’assolir aquest objectiu es van realitzar quatre estudis, per als quals es va utilitzar informació fenotípica d’una línia de selecció de porcs Duroc durant el període d’engreix. Els caràcters analitzats van ser mesures individuals del gruix de greix dorsal, el pes viu a diferents edats i el consum de pinso, registrat mitjançant l’ús de menjadores electròniques. A partir d’aquests caràcters se’n van calcular altres, també individuals, com el guany de pes diari, l’índex de conversió i el consum de pinso residual, així com els caràcters corresponents a la mesura del comportament alimentari (la velocitat d’ingesta, el nombre de visites a la menjadora i l’interval de temps entre aquestes visites, i el temps d’ocupació de la menjadora). Mitjançant la utilització de models estadístics mixtos, els treballs avaluen la importància dels següents aspectes que podrien afectar les avaluacions genètiques dels candidats a la selecció: i) Quin paper podrien tenir els caràcters de comportament alimentari i quina és la rellevància dels efectes de la interacció social tant per a aquests caràcters com per als caràcters de producció i eficiència alimentària. ii) Quina informació poden aportar els registres de consum de grup a la predicció del consum individual. iii) Quin grau de variació té del determinisme genètic dels caràcters productius i d’eficiència alimentària amb l’edat. Els resultats van mostrar que les interaccions socials són factors importants de variació dels caràcters de comportament alimentari, productius i d’eficiència. Malgrat això, implementar-les en els esquemes de millora genètica sembla complicada. Mitjançant una simulació es va observar que, utilitzant el model animal amb interaccions socials per generar les dades, la resposta que se n’obté amb diferents índexs de selecció que combinin efectes directes i socials no és clarament superior a la que s’obté utilitzant el model animal tradicional. Això es deu al nombre elevat d’errors d’estimació dels paràmetres genètics que aquest tipus de models conté, que es tradueixen en petites o nul·les millores en la resposta a la selecció. Pel que fa a l’estudi que es va fer per avaluar la importància de l’aportació de les dades de consum de grup en els programes de millora, els resultats van mostrar que, independentment de la distribució de dades individuals o de grup, la qualitat de predicció era aproximadament la mateixa; per tant, en l’avaluació multivariant, el paper dels registres de consum mitjà del grup per predir el consum individual sembla poc rellevant. D’altra banda, el grau de variació que mostra el determinisme genètic dels caràcters estudiats amb l’edat és nul. És a dir, dins de l’interval d’edat considerat (110 - 200 dies), les estimacions de l’heretabilitat dels caràcters estudiats van ser constants i les correlacions genètiques dins de caràcters entre els diferents dies van ser properes a u. Per tant, no té sentit plantejar, per exemple, la mesura del gruix de greix a una edat i el creixement o pes viu a una altra. En general, es pot concloure que l’únic dels factors estudiats que podria tenir una repercussió clara en la millora de l’eficiència alimentària del porcí és el de les interaccions socials entre animals que comparteixen corral. Tanmateix, la seva implementació pràctica sembla complicada, ja que la quantitat de dades d’animals coetanis necessàries per valorar de manera precisa els paràmetres dels models que els inclouen és molt elevada.<br>El objetivo general de la tesis fue explorar distintos procedimientos directos e indirectos de evaluación genética de la eficiencia alimentaria que permitan reducir las inversiones necesarias en sistemas de registro del consumo individual con una mínima pérdida de la eficacia de la selección. Se realizaron cuatro estudios en los que se utilizó información fenotípica de una línea de selección de cerdos Duroc durante el periodo de engorde. Los caracteres analizados fueron medidas individuales del espesor de grasa dorsal, el peso vivo a distintas edades y el consumo de pienso, registrado mediante el uso de comederos electrónicos. A partir de éstos se calcularon otros, también a nivel individual, como la ganancia de peso diaria, el índice de conversión, el consumo de pienso residual, así como los correspondientes a caracteres de comportamiento alimentario (la velocidad de ingesta, el número e intervalo de tiempo entre visitas al comedero y el tiempo de ocupación de éste). Mediante la utilización de modelos estadísticos mixtos, los trabajos evalúan la importancia de los siguientes aspectos que pudieran afectar a las evaluaciones genéticas de los candidatos a la selección: i) Qué papel pudieran jugar los caracteres de comportamiento alimentario y qué relevancia tienen los efectos de interacción social tanto para estos caracteres como para los caracteres productivos y de eficiencia alimentaria. ii) Qué información pueden aportar los registros de consumo de grupo en la predicción del consumo individual. iii) Qué grado de variación tiene del determinismo genético de los caracteres productivos y de eficiencia alimentaria con la edad. Los resultados mostraron que las interacciones sociales son factores importantes de variación de los caracteres de comportamiento alimentario, los productivos y los de eficiencia. A pesar de esto, su consideración en los esquemas de mejora parece complicado. Mediante simulación se observó que, utilizando el modelo animal con interacciones sociales para generar los datos, la respuesta que se obtiene con distintos índices de selección que combinen efectos directos y sociales no es claramente superior a la que se obtiene utilizando el modelo animal tradicional. Esto se debe a los altos errores de estimación de los parámetros genéticos que este tipo de modelos contiene que se traducen en pequeñas o nulas mejoras en la respuesta a la selección. Con respecto al estudio realizado para evaluar la aportación de los datos del consumo de grupo en los programas de mejora, los resultados mostraron que independientemente de la distribución de datos individuales o de grupo, la calidad de predicción fue aproximadamente la misma y por tanto en la evaluación multivariante el papel de los registros de consumo medio de los corrales parece poco relevante para predecir el consumo individual. Por otra parte, el grado de variación que muestra el determinismo genético de los caracteres estudiados con la edad es nulo. Es decir, dentro del intervalo de edad considerado (110 - 200 días) las estimas de heredabilidad de los caracteres estudiados fueron constantes, y las correlaciones genéticas dentro de caracteres entre los distintos días fueron cercanas a uno. Por lo tanto, no tiene sentido plantear, por ejemplo, la medición del espesor de tocino a una edad y el crecimiento o peso vivo a otra. En general, se puede concluir que el único de los factores estudiados que pudiera tener una repercusión clara en la mejora de la eficiencia alimentaria del porcino es el de las interacciones sociales entre animales que comparten corral. No obstante, su implementación práctica parece complicada, ya que la cantidad de datos coetáneos necesarios para estimar de forma precisa los parámetros de los modelos que los incluyen es muy elevada.<br>The general objective of the thesis was to explore different direct and indirect genetic evaluation procedures for feed efficiency that allow reducing the necessary investments in systems for recording individual consumption with a minimum loss of the effectiveness of selection. Four studies were conducted using phenotypic information from a selection line of Duroc pigs during the fattening period. The analyzed traits were individual measurements of backfat thickness, live weight at different ages and feed intake, recorded by using electronic feeders. From these, others were calculated, also at the individual level, such as daily weight gain, the feed conversion ratio, the residual feed intake, as well as those corresponding to feeding behavior traits (the feeding rate, the number and interval time between visits to the trough and the occupation time from this). Through the use of mixed statistical models, the studies evaluate the importance of the following aspects that could affect the genetic evaluations of the candidates for selection: i) What role could the feeding behavior traits play and what relevance do the interaction effects have both for these traits and for the productive and feed efficiency traits. ii) What information can group feed intake records provide in predicting individual feed intake. iii) What degree of variation has the genetic determinism of productive and feed efficiency traits with age. The results showed that social interactions are important factors of variation of the feeding behavior traits, the productive ones, and the efficiency ones. Despite this, its consideration in the breeding programs seems complicated. Through simulation, it was observed that, using the animal model with social interactions to generate the data, the response obtained with different selection indexes that combine direct and social effects is not clearly superior to that obtained using the traditional animal model. This is due to the high estimation errors of the genetic parameters that this type of model contains, which translate into little or no improvement in the response to selection. Regarding the study carried out to evaluate the contribution of group feed intake data to breeding programs, the results showed that regardless of the distribution of individual or group data, the prediction quality was approximately the same and therefore in the multivariate evaluation the role of the average feed intake records of the pens seems of little relevance to predict individual feed intake. On the other hand, the degree of variation shown by the genetic determinism of the studied traits with age is zero. That is, within the considered age interval (110-200 days) the heritability estimates of the studied traits were constant, and the genetic correlations within traits between the different days were close to one. Therefore, it does not make sense to consider, for example, the measurement of bacon thickness at one age and growth or live weight at another. In general, it can be concluded that the only one of the studied factors that could have a clear impact on improving pig feed efficiency is the social interactions between animals that share a pen. However, its practical implementation seems complicated, since the amount of contemporary data required to accurately estimate the parameters of the models that include them is quite high.

Thesis (M. Tech. Agriculture) -- Central University of Technology, Free state, 2012<br>Frozen-thawed boar sperm has the potential to impact the future of the swine industry. The objectives of the study were to characterise semen of Kolbroek and Large White boars, find a suitable holding temperature and extender, determine the effect of breed and pregnancy rate following artificial insemination by frozen-thawed boar semen. A total of eight boars and 33 sows were used in this study. The 120 ejaculates were collected from each individual Kolbroek and Large White boars with the gloved-hand technique. Macroscopic and microscopic sperm characteristics were recorded. The bodyweight of Kolbroek (154.7 kg) was significantly lower compared to Large White (189.9 kg) boar. However, no significant differences were observed in Kolbroek and Large White boar semen volume (140 and 170 ml), sperm concentration (0.727 and 0.761 x 109 sperm/ml), and total sperm motility (95 and 91%). A positive correlation existed between bodyweight and semen volume of Kolbroek (r= 0.22) and Large White (r= 0.26). Conversely, the bodyweight of Large White was positively correlated to sperm concentration of Large White (r= 0.37) but negatively correlated to Kolbroek (r= -0.66). Storage time and temperature did not affect Large White boar sperm motility rate. However, Kolbroek sperm total motility rate (61.0%) was affected at 25°C after 24 hours. The highest total sperm motility rate was observed for semen diluted with Tris-based extender (74.1%) in Kolbroek boars at 48 hours of storage. Large White boar semen diluted with BTS (62.9%), Kobidil+ (69.3%) and Tris (65.1%) showed significantly higher sperm motility rate at 48 hours of storage, compared to Citrate (27.6%) extender. Cryopreservation significantly reduced sperm motility rate for Kolbroek (30.2%) and Large White (24.0%) boars. However, a high pregnancy rate was recorded in both sows of inseminated with raw diluted (100% vs. 81.3%) and frozen-thawed (50% vs. 50%) semen of Kolbroek and Large White boars. In conclusion, the bodyweight of Kolbroek and Large White boar was positively correlated with ejaculated semen volume. Kolbroek and Large White boar sperm stored at 18°C for 24 hours maintained the acceptable sperm motility rate. Kolbroek boar semen diluted with Tris-based extender maintained high sperm motility rate. Cryopreservation significantly reduced sperm motility rate regardless of breed; however, pregnancy rate from frozen-thawed semen was high for Kolbroek (50%) and Large White (50%) even though the frozen-thawed fertility was low.

The broad objective of the study was to determine the economic value of local pigs in marketand subsistence-oriented production systems in communal areas of Southern Africa. Data were collected from 288 households to investigate farmer perceptions, effects on pig production and handling of disease outbreaks such as classical swine fever (CSF) in market- and subsistenceoriented production systems. The utilisation of local pigs in these market- and subsistenceoriented production systems in improving people‟s welfare was evaluated. Climate change was identified by farmers in these production systems as a major constraint to pig production hence an experiment was carried out in the hottest season to determine diurnal heat-related physiological and behavioural responses in Large White (LW) and South African local pigs. The same genotypes were used to determine effects of diurnal heat-related stress on their growth performance. Choice experiment was done to determine farmer preferences for local pig traits and implicit prices for these traits in CSF-affected and unaffected areas that were under subsistence- and market-oriented production systems. In this experiment, the importance of heat tolerance was assessed relative to other productive and climate change adaptation traits. Significantly more pigs were culled in the CSF-affected areas that were market-oriented (8.0 ± 1.76) than subsistence-oriented (4.1 ± 1.00) production system. The risk of parasites and disease challenges was high in subsistence-oriented production system and coastal areas. In both production systems, CSF was perceived as destructive since the culling of pigs affected pork availability and income generation. The high risk of disease outbreaks and threat of climate change caused farmers in subsistence-oriented production system to select local pigs for their adaptive traits while those in the market-oriented production system focused on productive imported pigs. Farmers (83 %) indicated that they wanted pig genotypes that were adapted to climate change effects such as hot conditions. Local pigs were found to have superior heat tolerance over LW pigs (P < 0.05) in terms of lower heart rate and skin surface temperature. Frequency per day and duration for behavioural heat loss activities such as wallowing, sleeping in a prostrate posture and sprawling in slurry were also lower (P < 0.05) for local than LW pigs. The superiority of heat tolerance of local over LW pigs was further confirmed by their uncompromised growth performance under high diurnal temperatures. The Pearson‟s product moment correlation coefficient between temperature and feed conversion ratio for LW pigs was strongly positive (r = 0.50; P < 0.001) unlike the weak and positive correlation for local pigs (r = 0.20; P < 0.05). There was a quadratic relationship between temperature and average daily gain (ADG) for both pig genotypes. The regression coefficients for ADG were higher (P < 0.001) for LW than local pigs. It was concluded that at high ambient temperatures, performance of local pigs was less compromised than for LW pigs. Although local pigs were found to be heat tolerant, results of choice experiment showed that this trait was not selected for relative to other traits. Keeping pigs that required bought-in feeds, fell sick often and produced low pork quality (eating quality based on farmer perceptions) negatively affected farmers‟ livelihoods more in subsistence- than market-oriented production system. Farmers in market-oriented production system derived more benefit from productive traits such as heavier slaughter weights and large litter size than subsistence-oriented farmers. Under the subsistence-oriented production system, farmers in CSF-affected areas placed high prices on adaptive traits than the unaffected areas. Subsistence-oriented farmers who were affected by CSF wanted a total compensation price of R10 944.00 (USD1563.43) for keeping a pig genotype with unfavourable traits when compared to R4235.00 (USD605.00) for their CSF-unaffected counterparts. Implicit prices for traits could not be determined for market-oriented production system. It was concluded that farmers in CSFaffected areas placed high economic values on pig traits than farmers from the CSF-unaffected areas. The findings suggest that adapted local pigs can be promoted in subsistence-oriented production systems while productive imported pigs and their crosses with local pigs can be kept in market-oriented production systems.

Submitted by Rafael Vitor Ferreira null (raphael_vfe@hotmail.com) on 2016-10-30T22:23:27Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DiSSERTAÇÃO Rafael Vitor Ferreira.pdf: 927532 bytes, checksum: a411b3eb773aa86dde595844a8179323 (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Felipe Augusto Arakaki (arakaki@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-11-04T16:31:57Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 ferreira_rv_me_ilha.pdf: 832160 bytes, checksum: a11ba065cb8c325bcc5466028cd03cc5 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-04T16:31:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ferreira_rv_me_ilha.pdf: 832160 bytes, checksum: a11ba065cb8c325bcc5466028cd03cc5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-01<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)<br>O objetivo deste trabalho é disponibilizar dados de desempenho reprodutivo e produtivo de suínos da raça Moura mantidos em sistema semi-intensivo, bem como avaliar o potencial de utilização do cruzamento de fêmeas Moura com macho sintético, MS115, para produção de leitões. Os dados utilizados no estudo fazem parte do banco de dados do setor de suínos da Fazenda de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão da Unesp – Campus de Ilha Solteira - SP. No primeiro estudo foram selecionados e classificados resultados de desempenho reprodutivo (nascidos totais, nascidos vivos, perdas, mortalidade 1 a 21 dias, mortalidade do nascimento ao desmame, peso ao nascimento, peso aos 21 dias, peso aos desmame, ganho de peso até 21 dias e ganho de peso diário até o desmame) de 332 parições oriundas de acasalamento entre machos e fêmeas da raça Moura no período de 2006 a 2016. Para a classificação foram consideradas as ordens de parto (da primeira à sétima) e as estações do ano (primavera, verão, outono e inverno). A estação do ano pouco influenciou no desempenho das matrizes, mas os partos de 4ª e 5ª ordem apresentaram os melhores resultados para número de nascidos vivos e peso ao nascimento. No segundo estudo foram avaliados 60 partos, 30 provenientes do acasalamento de machos e fêmeas puros da raça Moura, e 30 provenientes do cruzamento entre fêmeas Moura e machos MS115, totalizando 526 leitões para avaliação até o desmame. Os partos foram classificados de acordo com a origem genética do macho, ordem de parto e estação do ano. De forma geral a origem do macho não interferiu (P>0,05) no número total de leitões nascidos/parto, leitões vivos/parto e taxas de mortalidade, porém o cruzamento da fêmea Moura com o macho MS115 promoveu melhor (P<0,05) desempenho das leitegadas até o desmame. Independente da origem genética do macho, para 3ª ordem de parto foi observado o maior de leitões nascidos e leitões vivos/parto (P<0,05), mas também a maior mortalidade até o desmame.<br>The objective of this study is to provide data for reproductive and productive performance Moura breed sows kept in semi-intensive system and to evaluate the potential use of Moura sows crossing with synthetic male, MS115, for the production of piglets. The data used in the study are part of the pig farm database of Farm Research, Education and Extension UNESP –Ilha Solteira - SP. In the first study were selected and classified results of reproductive performance (total number of piglets born/parturition, alive piglets/parturition, losses, mortality 1 to 21 days, mortality at weaning, birth weight, weight at 21 days, weight at weaning, daily weight gain up to 21 days and daily weight gain until weaning) 332 parities derived from mating between males and females of Moura breed from 2006 to 2016. For classification were considered the parturition order (the first to seventh) and seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter). The season had little influence on the performance of the sows, but the 4th and 5th birth order showed the best results for number of live births and birth weight. In the second study we evaluated 60 births, 30 from the mating males and females of Moura breed and 30 from the cross between Moura sows and MS115males, totaling 526 piglets for evaluation until weaning. The births were classified according to genetic male, parturition order and season. In general, the male origin did not affect (P>0.05) the total number of piglets born/parturition, living piglets/parturition and mortality rates, but the crossing between Moura female and MS115male promoted better (P <0.05) performance of piglets until weaning. Regardless of the genetic male origin, in the 3rd parturition order occurred the largest number of piglets born/parturition and alive piglets/parturition(P<0.05), but also the highest mortality until weaning(P<0.05).

Orientador: Rosemeira da Silva Filardi<br>Resumo: O objetivo deste trabalho é disponibilizar dados de desempenho reprodutivo e produtivo de suínos da raça Moura mantidos em sistema semi-intensivo, bem como avaliar o potencial de utilização do cruzamento de fêmeas Moura com macho sintético, MS115, para produção de leitões. Os dados utilizados no estudo fazem parte do banco de dados do setor de suínos da Fazenda de Ensino, Pesquisa e Extensão da Unesp – Campus de Ilha Solteira - SP. No primeiro estudo foram selecionados e classificados resultados de desempenho reprodutivo (nascidos totais, nascidos vivos, perdas, mortalidade 1 a 21 dias, mortalidade do nascimento ao desmame, peso ao nascimento, peso aos 21 dias, peso aos desmame, ganho de peso até 21 dias e ganho de peso diário até o desmame) de 332 parições oriundas de acasalamento entre machos e fêmeas da raça Moura no período de 2006 a 2016. Para a classificação foram consideradas as ordens de parto (da primeira à sétima) e as estações do ano (primavera, verão, outono e inverno). A estação do ano pouco influenciou no desempenho das matrizes, mas os partos de 4ª e 5ª ordem apresentaram os melhores resultados para número de nascidos vivos e peso ao nascimento. No segundo estudo foram avaliados 60 partos, 30 provenientes do acasalamento de machos e fêmeas puros da raça Moura, e 30 provenientes do cruzamento entre fêmeas Moura e machos MS115, totalizando 526 leitões para avaliação até o desmame. Os partos foram classificados de acordo com a origem genética do... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)<br>Mestre

Sistemas híbridos consistem de duas ou mais fontes geradoras de eletricidade, normalmente uma ou mais fontes convencionais e uma ou mais fontes renováveis e, objetivam promover a economia de combustível e obter uma fonte confiável de suprimento de energia, podendo estar ou não conectados a rede de distribuição. Este trabalho objetiva avaliar através do software HOMER, a viabilidade técnica, econômica e ambiental de implantação de um sistema híbrido de geração de eletricidade. Este sistema é composto por gerador movido a biogás, gerador movido a biodiesel e captação de energia solar. Todo o sistema está localizado no município de Serafina Corrêa onde há elevada concentração de suinocultores que, através do tratamento dos resíduos suinícolas poderá levar a produção de biogás para ser aproveitado como combustível para geração de energia elétrica. Diversas configurações foram avaliadas sob aspecto econômico e ambiental. A configuração ótima da estrutura do sistema híbrido foi a composta por geração elétrica a partir de painéis fotovoltaicos com 172,4 kW, gerador a biogás 55 kW e inversor de frequência de 110 kW. Neste cenário, o capital inicial soma R$ 1.150.055,00, valor presente líquido de R$ 1.150.004,00 e o custo da energia (COE) é de R$ 0,22/kW. O payback definido pelo software é de 7,1 anos, mostrando-se economicamente viável. Neste contexto, o software HOMER apresenta-se como importante ferramenta a tomada de decisões configurando-se como método de avaliação quanto ao melhor cenário para instalação de sistemas híbridos.<br>Hybrid systems consist of two or more electricity generating sources, usually one or more conventional sources and one or more renewable sources, and aim to promote fuel economy and obtain a reliable source of energy supply, off-grid or grid-connected to the distribution network. This work aims to evaluate through the HOMER software the technical, economic and environmental feasibility of implementing a hybrid electricity generation system. This system consists of a biogas generator, biodiesel generator and solar energy capture. The entire system is located in the municipality of Serafina Corrêa where there is a high concentration of swine farmers that, through the treatment of pig waste, can lead to the production of biogas to be used as fuel for electric power generation. Several configurations were evaluated under economic and environmental aspect. The optimum configuration of the hybrid system structure is composed of electric generation from photovoltaic panels with 172,4 kW, 55 kW biogas generator and 110 kW inverter. In this scenario, the initial capital amounts to R$ 1.150.055,00, net present value of R$ 1.150.004,00 and the cost of energy (COE) is R$ 0.22. The payback defined by the software is 7.1 years, proving to be economically viable. In this context, the HOMER software presents itself as an important decision-making tool, being configured as an evaluation method for the best scenario for the installation of hybrid systems.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-03-26T13:54:59Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 texto completo.pdf: 623344 bytes, checksum: de668a26b7ad9c15ba60b0aa57bee538 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-23<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior<br>The cryopreservation of donkey semen has shown limitations on fertility that discourages their use as routine for professionals working with this species. Incorporation of cholesterol-loaded cyclodextrin (CLC) has proved a promising alternative to improve the resistance of spermatozoa cryopreservation in several species. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of adding different CLC concentrations on in vitro viability of frozen-thawed Pêga donkey spermatozoa. Twenty-five ejaculates from five donkeys (five ejaculates per animal) were submitted to different concentrations of CLC: 0 mg (control), 1 mg (T1), 2 mg (T2) and 3 mg (T3) / 120 x 106 total spermatozoa for 15 minutes before freezing. Samples were thawed and evaluated for physical integrity of sperm plasma membrane (eosin-nigrosin), functional integrity (HOST), sperm morphology, longevity (TTR), and viability of sperm plasma membrane and acrosome (tested with fluorescent probes - IP/FITC-PNA). Physical parameters were measured by subjective and objective (CASA) evaluation. Treated groups had higher physical and functional integrity plasma membrane (P<0.05) than control. Inclusion of CLC resulted either in higher total and progressive motile (CASA) (P<0,05). There were no differences in the amount of cells with plasmas membrane and acrossome intact by epifluorescence test (P>0.05). No difference was observed for total motility and vigor between treatments during TTR (P>0,05). The use of cholesterol- loaded cyclodextrin increases the resistance of frozen-thawed process, number of cells with motility and viable membranes (P<0,05). Futher studies should be conducted to evaluate the influence of CLC cryopreserved donkey spermatozoa fertility.<br>A criopreservação de sêmen asinino vem apresentando limitações na fertilidade que desestimulam sua utilização como rotina para profissionais que trabalham com a espécie. A incorporação de colesterol associado à ciclodextrina (CLC) tem se mostrado uma alternativa promissora por melhorar a resistência espermática ao processo de criopreservação em diversas espécies. Objetivou-se verificar os efeitos in vitro da adição de diferentes concentrações de CLC na viabilidade de espermatozóides criopreservados de jumentos da raça Pêga. Vinte e cinco ejaculados de cinco jumentos (cinco ejaculados por jumento) foram incubados a temperatura de laboratório por 15 minutos com diferentes concentrações de CLC: 0 mg (controle - CT), 1 mg (T1), 2 mg (T2) e 3 mg (T3) / 120 x 106 espermatozóides totais, antes do congelamento. As amostras foram descongeladas e avaliadas quanto à integridade física da membrana plasmática (SV), integridade funcional (HOST), morfologia espermática, longevidade (TTR) e viabilidade da membrana plasmática e do acrossoma (teste com sondas fluorescentes - IP/FITC-PNA). Os parâmetros físicos foram avaliador de forma subjetiva e objetiva (CASA). As amostras tratadas com CLC apresentaram maior integridade funcional e física (P<0,05) da membrana plasmática que as amostras do tratamento CT. A inclusão de CLC resultou em um aumento (P<0,05) nos valores de motilidade total e progressiva (CASA) para os três tratamentos quando comparado ao CT. Não foram observadas diferenças (P>0,05) na quantidade de células com a membrana plasmática e acrossoma intactos pelo testes de epifluorescência. Também não foi observada diferença entre os tratamentos durante o TTR para os parâmetros motilidade total e vigor espermático (P>0,05). A xv utilização de colesterol incorporado a ciclodextrina aumenta a resistência espermática aos processos de criopreservação, aumentando o número de células com motilidade e membrana íntegra. Novos estudos devem ser realizados para avaliar o efeito do CLC na fertilidade do sêmen asinino.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:40Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2006-06-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:31:30Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 jasper_sp_me_botfca.pdf: 792511 bytes, checksum: 4bdbd9741d526729aa0258b4ad5f7d95 (MD5)<br>Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)<br>Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP)<br>O grande desenvolvimento obtido pela suinocultura brasileira deve-se, principalmente, à intensificação dos sistemas produtivos implicando em aumento da densidade, restrição de espaço, da movimentação, além da melhoria genética e nutricional. Animais com elevadas taxas de ganho de peso e eficiência alimentar são, cada vez mais, confinados e alimentados com dietas contendo maior densidade de nutrientes. A adoção de sistemas confinados de produção tem trazido, entretanto, graves problemas operacionais como a concentração de dejetos e o considerável aumento do uso de água para limpeza das instalações. Para solucionar tal problema é importante a utilização de técnicas simples e com baixo custo de instalação, como por exemplo, o sistema inovador de alagados construídos para o tratamento de águas residuárias provenientes da suinocultura. Por outro lado, há técnicas difundidas há bastante tempo, como exemplo, as lagoas de estabilização, pioneiras no Brasil. A composição e o volume das águas residuárias oriundas da suinocultura têm relação direta com o manejo dos dejetos adotado. A adoção de sistemas de manejos de resíduos de forma mais racional evita a perda de água, permitindo uma produção ambiental mais justa com baixo custo. 2 Este trabalho teve por objetivo desenvolver uma análise econômica detalhada entre os sistemas de alagados construídos, tipo combinado e lagoas de estabilização, do modelo facultativa, em função de seis tamanhos de granjas de terminação e dois manejos aplicados nos dejetos (manejo úmido x manejo seco). Os resultados mostraram que o sistema de alagados construído combinado, operando com manejo seco dos dejetos, foram as hipóteses que apresentaram os melhores índices econômicos, ou seja, os menores custos de implantação, anual, por suíno e por quilograma de carne produzida...<br>The great Brazilian pig breeding development was done due to the intensification of productive systems with density increase, space restriction and movement, and also genetic and nutritional improvement. Animals with high weigh gain rate and feed efficiency are restricted and feed with high density nutrient diet. However, a restricted production system has brought severe operational problems such as dregs concentration and an increase necessity to use water to keep the installations clean. In order to solve this problem, is important to use simple techniques and low cost installations, for example the innovator system called combine wetlands, to treat the pig breeding waste water. On the other side, techniques used for a long time such as facultative pond was pioneer in Brazil. The components and volume of waste dreg water from pig breeding have a direct relation with the adopted dreg management system. The adoption of a rational dreg management system avoids water waste allowing an environmental fair production with low production cost. This work developed a detailed economical analysis between the constructed wetland system, model combine and stabilization pond, type facultative, in function of six pig end raising grange size and two dreg management systems (alternative x conventional). The results showed the constructed wetlands working with dried dejects management system the hypothesis with best economic indexes, such as a lower implementation cost, annual cost, cost per animal and per kilogram of produced meat and also required the smaller recommended area. At pig end raising granges with wet dejects management, lower implementation cost, annual cost, cost per animal and per kilogram of produced meat was found on stabilization ponds type facultative, however this technique requires big areas to be used.

Submitted by Edineia Teixeira (edineia.teixeira@unioeste.br) on 2018-09-27T14:36:57Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Andressa_Grosbelli_2018.pdf: 1311256 bytes, checksum: ea09960676f17abb9d174deb55efda93 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-09-27T14:36:57Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Andressa_Grosbelli_2018.pdf: 1311256 bytes, checksum: ea09960676f17abb9d174deb55efda93 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-02-22<br>Besides the concern with the exhaustion of energy sources and environmental consequences, it is necessary to know the potential that these sources of energy (swine manure) can present. The present work has had the objective of discussing and analyzing, on the basis of field and laboratory studies, the production of biogas in different breeding types and stages of pigs, being the treatments: two nursery units (T1 and T2), three growth and termination units (T3, T4 and T5) and two piglets production units (T6 and T7). ST and SV analyzes were performed, reducing the organic load of the swine manure used. The biodigestors used were batch type, made of PVC pipes and fed with the waste from different types of pig farming. The HRT was 45 days and significant averages of biogas production, ST and SV removal were found, good volume yield related to SVs removed and added. The T5 treatment presented the best removal of COD (72.3%), being also the one that produced the most biogas during the 45 days (5.3L), nevertheless it presented a low efficiency in the removal of the volatile solids, being necessary a time of HRT higher for better treatment efficiency. On the other hand, the T7 treatment presented the best values of removal efficiency of volatile solids during the study period, with 71.48%<br>Além da preocupação com o esgotamento das fontes de energias fosséis e com consequências ambientais, hoje, se faz necessário saber o potencial que as fontes alternativas podem apresentar. O presente trabalho teve com objetivo discutir e analisar com base em estudos a campo e em laboratório, a produção de biogás em diferentes sistemas de criação e fases de suínos em: duas unidades de creche (T1 e T2), três unidades de crescimento e terminação (T3, T4 e T5) e duas unidades de produção de leitões (T6 e T7). Foram realizadas análises de ST, SV e DQO. Os biodigestores utilizados foram do tipo batelada, feitos de tubos de PVC e o TRH foi de 45 dias. Foram encontradas médias significativas de produção de biogás, remoção dos ST e SV, bom rendimento de volume relacionado aos SV removidos e adicionados. O tratamento T5 apresentou a melhor remoção de DQO (72,3%), sendo também o que mais produziu biogás ao longo dos 45 dias (5,3L), no entanto apresentou uma baixa eficiência na remoção dos sólidos voláteis, sendo necessário um TRH maior para a melhor eficiência do tratamento. Em contrapartida, o tratamento T7 apresentou os melhores valores de eficiência de remoção de sólidos voláteis durante o período de estudo, com 71,48%.

Resumo: O grande desenvolvimento obtido pela suinocultura brasileira deve-se, principalmente, à intensificação dos sistemas produtivos implicando em aumento da densidade, restrição de espaço, da movimentação, além da melhoria genética e nutricional. Animais com elevadas taxas de ganho de peso e eficiência alimentar são, cada vez mais, confinados e alimentados com dietas contendo maior densidade de nutrientes. A adoção de sistemas confinados de produção tem trazido, entretanto, graves problemas operacionais como a concentração de dejetos e o considerável aumento do uso de água para limpeza das instalações. Para solucionar tal problema é importante a utilização de técnicas simples e com baixo custo de instalação, como por exemplo, o sistema inovador de alagados construídos para o tratamento de águas residuárias provenientes da suinocultura. Por outro lado, há técnicas difundidas há bastante tempo, como exemplo, as lagoas de estabilização, pioneiras no Brasil. A composição e o volume das águas residuárias oriundas da suinocultura têm relação direta com o manejo dos dejetos adotado. A adoção de sistemas de manejos de resíduos de forma mais racional evita a perda de água, permitindo uma produção ambiental mais justa com baixo custo. 2 Este trabalho teve por objetivo desenvolver uma análise econômica detalhada entre os sistemas de alagados construídos, tipo combinado e lagoas de estabilização, do modelo facultativa, em função de seis tamanhos de granjas de terminação e dois manejos aplicados nos dejetos (manejo úmido x manejo seco). Os resultados mostraram que o sistema de alagados construído combinado, operando com manejo seco dos dejetos, foram as hipóteses que apresentaram os melhores índices econômicos, ou seja, os menores custos de implantação, anual, por suíno e por quilograma de carne produzida... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo)<br>Abstract: The great Brazilian pig breeding development was done due to the intensification of productive systems with density increase, space restriction and movement, and also genetic and nutritional improvement. Animals with high weigh gain rate and feed efficiency are restricted and feed with high density nutrient diet. However, a restricted production system has brought severe operational problems such as dregs concentration and an increase necessity to use water to keep the installations clean. In order to solve this problem, is important to use simple techniques and low cost installations, for example the innovator system called combine wetlands, to treat the pig breeding waste water. On the other side, techniques used for a long time such as facultative pond was pioneer in Brazil. The components and volume of waste dreg water from pig breeding have a direct relation with the adopted dreg management system. The adoption of a rational dreg management system avoids water waste allowing an environmental fair production with low production cost. This work developed a detailed economical analysis between the constructed wetland system, model combine and stabilization pond, type facultative, in function of six pig end raising grange size and two dreg management systems (alternative x conventional). The results showed the constructed wetlands working with dried dejects management system the hypothesis with best economic indexes, such as a lower implementation cost, annual cost, cost per animal and per kilogram of produced meat and also required the smaller recommended area. At pig end raising granges with wet dejects management, lower implementation cost, annual cost, cost per animal and per kilogram of produced meat was found on stabilization ponds type facultative, however this technique requires big areas to be used.<br>Orientador: Marco Antônio Martin Biaggioni<br>Coorientador: Ana Beatriz Rocha de Castro Lopes<br>Banca: Maura Tsutsui Seiko Esperancini<br>Banca: Maria Elizabeth A. de Oliveira<br>Mestre

Schätzung von Kreuzungsparametern unter besonderer Berücksichtigung von epistatischen Effekten und Optimierung des Kreuzungszuchtverfahren beim Meerschweinchen in Bolivien Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit dem Meerschweinchen als einheimischem Fleischlieferant in den Andenstaaten Lateinamerikas, das im Rahmen der ländlichen Entwicklung durch Züchtung und entsprechende Haltung zu einer besseren Fleischversorgung und evt. zu einer Einkommensquelle insbesondere für Kleinbauern beitragen soll. Ziel der Arbeit ist es, die Kreuzungsparameter, insbesondere epistatische Effekte, zwischen einer synthetischen kleinrahmigen nativen Linie, bestehend aus 29 Herkünften Boliviens, und einer importierten großrahmigen Linie aus Peru unter semi-intensiven/semi-extensiven "modernen" Haltungsbedingungen zu schätzen und daraus Schlussfolgerungen für die Optimierung von Zuchtsystemen zu ziehen. In der Einleitung werden zunächst die biologische Besonderheiten des Meerschweinchens sowie die kulturelle und gesellschaftliche Bedeutung des Meerschweinchens und Haltungssysteme kurz beschrieben. Der Literaturteil befasst sich mit den Genwirkungen bei Kreuzungen, insbesondere den nicht-additiven Geneffekten und der Planung und Optimierung von Kreuzungssystemen. Außerdem wird die Reproduktions- und Produktionsleistung beim Meerschweinchen in Rein- und Kreuzungszucht dargestellt. Der eigenen Untersuchung liegen die Daten von 2857 ersten und zweiten Würfen bzw. von 7745 lebend geborenen Jungtieren vor, die aus der Verpaarung von ca. 391 Böcken mit 1688 Weibchen hervorgingen. Es handelt sich um die am Zuchtprojekt "Mejocuy" der Universidad Mayor de San Simón in Cochabamba, Bolivien, entwickelten nativen synthetischen bolivianischen und der importierten peruanischen Linie sowie 12 daraus abgeleiteten Kreuzungsgruppen verschiedener Generationen (reziproke F1s, reziproke Rückkreuzungen, F2, Vorstufen einer Wechselkreuzung sowie eine synthetische Linie mit je 50% Genanteil der beiden Ausgangspopulationen). Der Schätzung der Kreuzungsparameter liegen das Jakubec-Modell mit drei verschiedenen epistatischen Effekten (Additiv x Additiv-Interaktionen, Additiv x Dominanz-Interaktionen, Dominanz x Dominanz-Interaktionen) sowie das Dickerson-Modell mit dem Rekombinationsverlust als epistatischem Effekt auf individueller (Nachkommen-), maternaler (individueller), paternaler (Paarungspartner-) und großmütterlicher (maternaler) Ebene zu Grunde. Auf Grund der Interkorrelation von Parametern (Multikollinearität) sowie für eine gezielte Herausstellung von Parametern für praktische Züchtungsmethoden und -strategien wurde die Anzahl der Parameter je genetisches Modell auf fünf mit jeweils einem epistatischen Effekt pro Modell beschränkt: Dickerson-Modell: gi, hi, ri, gm, hm bzw. gnk, hnk, rnk, gi, hi; Jakubec-Modell aa: gi, di, aai, gm, dm bzw. gnk, dnk, aank, gi, di; Jakubec-Modell dd: gi, di, ddi, gm, dm bzw. gnk, dnk, ddnk, gi, di. Die synthetische bolivianische Linie stellt die Bezugsbasis dar. GLS- bzw. LS-Zuchtgruppenmittelwerte und Kreuzungsparameter wurden für Merkmale der Gewichts- und Wachstumsleistung, der Schlachtleistung, der Reproduktionsleistung sowie für Kriterien der Gesamtproduktivität geschätzt. Die vorherrschenden Kreuzungseffekte sind Linienunterschiede, die bei den Produktionsmerkmalen positiv gerichtet sind, bei der Anzahl Nachkommen pro Muttertier bzw. pro metabolisches Muttergewicht und Halbjahr negativ. Die genetischen Modelle sowie die Ergebnisse sind im Gesamtzusammenhang diskutiert, und es werden Empfehlungen für Zuchtsysteme mit den untersuchten Linien für die am Untersuchungsstandort spezifischen saisonalen und wirtschaftlichen Verhältnisse sowie für die Selektion gegeben.<br>Estimation of Crossbreeding Parameters with Special Consideration of Epistatic Effects and Optimisation of Crossbreeding Procedures For Guinea Pigs in Bolivia The present study investigates the guinea pig as a native animal for meat production in the Andean countries of Latin America. In the framework of rural development the guinea pig can contribute to a better meat supply and a source of income especially for small holders by improving breeding and management. The objective of this study is to estimate crossbreeding parameters, focusing on epistatic effects, from crossings between a small framed synthetic native line consisting of 29 Bolivian strains and an imported line from Peru selected for body weight, kept under semi-intensive/semi-extensive "modern" management conditions. Conclusions for the optimisation of breeding systems should also be derivated. In the introduction first the special biological charcteristics as well as the cultural and symbolic meaning of the guinea pig, and management systems, are briefly described. The literature part treats gene effects in crossbreeding, especially non-additive gene effects, as well as the planning and optimization of crossbreeding systems. Also a literature review of the guinea pig reproduction and production performance in pure- and crossbreeding is presented. In the present study, data from 2857 first and second litters and 7745 progenies, stemming from the matings of 391 bucks with 1688 dams were analysed. The animals belong to a native synthetic Bolivian line, developed at the Universidad Mayor de San Simón, Cochabamba, Bolivia, and an imported Peruvian line as well as to 12 crossbreeding groups derived from these stocks: reciprocal F1s, reciprocal backcrosses, F2, pre-rotational groups and a synthetic line with 50% gene proportion of each purebred line. The basic model for the estimation of crossbreeding parameters is the Jakubec model with three different kinds of epistatic effects (additive x additive interactions, additive x dominance interactions, dominance x dominance interactions) and the Dickerson model with the recombination loss as epistatic effect on the individual (progeny), maternal (individual), paternal (male mating partner) and grandmaternal (maternal) level. Because of the intercorrelation of parameters (multicolinearity) and with the objective to estimate the most relevant parameters for practical breeding methods and strategies the number of parameters per genetic model was restricted to five with one epistatic effect, respectively: Dickerson-Modell: gi, hi, ri, gm, hm and gpr, hpr, rpr, gi, hi; Jakubec-Modell aa: gi, di, aai, gm, dm and gpr, dpr, aapr, gi, di; Jakubec-Modell dd: gi, di, ddi, gm, dm and gpr, dpr, ddpr, gi, di (i: individual, m: maternal, pr: progeny). The synthetic native Bolivian line was considered as reference. GLS- and LS-breeding group means and crossbreeding parameters were estimated for body weight and growth traits, reproduction traits and productivity traits. The prevailing crossbreeding effects are line differences with positive signs for production traits and with negative signs for the number of progeny per dam and per metabolic dam weight in the first half year of production. The genetic models and the results are discussed in a global context and recommendations are derived for breeding systems and selection for the investigated lines under the specific seasonal and economical conditions prevailing at Cochabamba, Bolivia.

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior<br>Two assays were conducted, the first one to determine the nutrient digestibility and metabolizable energy of fish silage with microbiological inoculum for growing pigs, and the second one to evaluate the addition of fish silage flour, which was obtained from the mixture of 50% of corn and 50% of fish silage in diets for pigs at growing and finishing phases, regarding on performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, sensorial evaluation of natural meat as well as mortadella and economic evaluation. In the digestibility assay, it was used 16 barrows with an initial average weight of 33.20  4.93 kg, using the method of total collection of feces and urine. The fish silage presented 36.50% of crude protein, 14.45% of mineral matter, 39.78% of ether extract, and 4,032.09 kcal GE/kg. In the performance assay, 32 barrows with an initial average weight of 26.00  1.68 kg were distributed among four treatments, considering the inclusion levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75% of fish silage flour with microbiological inoculum in the feed. For the whole period, there was a quadratic effect about the daily weight gain with increasing additions of fish silage flour to the diets, presenting the best results with the estimated level at 25.83%. With the increasing levels of fish silage flour there was a decrease on the average thickness of back fat, fat depth and loin depth, but carcass yield and the amount of lean meat were not affected. There was no effect on the quality characteristics of meat. Regarding the mortadella, the inclusion of fish silage flour from 25% in the feed resulted in better color attributes and between 25 and 50% for flavor and overall acceptability. The fish silage flour may be included in diets for pigs at growing and finishing phases up to 25% of inclusion, resulting in inclusion of up to 5.87% of fish silage on dry matter basis.<br>Foram realizados dois ensaios. O primeiro, para determinar a digestibilidade dos nutrientes e a energia metabolizÃvel da silagem de pescado para suÃnos em crescimento; e o segundo, para avaliar a adiÃÃo da farinha de silagem de pescado, obtida a partir da mistura de 50% de milho e 50% da silagem de pescado, em raÃÃes para suÃnos nas fases de crescimento e terminaÃÃo, quanto ao desempenho, caracterÃsticas de carcaÃa, qualidade da carne, anÃlise sensorial da carne in natura e da mortadela e avaliaÃÃo econÃmica. No ensaio de digestibilidade, foram utilizados 16 suÃnos machos castrados com peso mÃdio inicial prÃximo de 33,20  4,93 kg, sendo utilizado o mÃtodo de coleta total de fezes e urina. A silagem de pescado apresentou 36,50% de proteÃna bruta, 14,45% de matÃria mineral, 39,78% de extrato etÃreo e valor energÃtico de 4.032,09 kcal de EM/kg. No ensaio de desempenho, foram utilizados 32 suÃnos machos castrados, com peso inicial mÃdio de 26,00  1,68 kg, distribuÃdos entre quatro tratamentos, considerando os nÃveis de inclusÃo de 0, 25, 50 e 75% de farinha de silagem de pescado nas raÃÃes. No perÃodo total, observou-se efeito quadrÃtico sobre o ganho diÃrio de peso com as crescentes adiÃÃes de farinha de silagem de pescado Ãs dietas, apresentando o melhor resultado no nÃvel estimado de 25,83%. Com os nÃveis crescentes de farinha de silagem de pescado, houve reduÃÃo da espessura mÃdia de toucinho, profundidade de gordura, Ãrea de gordura e profundidade do lombo, porÃm o rendimento de carcaÃa e a quantidade de carne magra na carcaÃa nÃo foram reduzidos. NÃo houve efeitos sobre as caracterÃsticas qualitativas da carne. Em relaÃÃo à mortadela, a inclusÃo da farinha de silagem de pescado a partir de 25% na raÃÃo resultou nos melhores atributos de cor e entre 25% e 50% para sabor e aceitaÃÃo global. A farinha de silagem de pescado pode ser incluÃda em raÃÃes para suÃnos nas fases de crescimento e terminaÃÃo atà o nÃvel de 25% de inclusÃo, resultando na inclusÃo de atà 5,87% de silagem de pescado com base na matÃria seca.

CÂNDIDO, Rayssa Santos. Farinha de silagem de pescado em rações para suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação. 2016. 46 f. : Dissertação (Mestrado) - Universidade Federal do Ceará, Centro de Ciências, Departamento de Zootecnia, Programa de Pós-Graduação em Zootecnia. Fortaleza-CE, 2016.<br>Submitted by Eric Santiago (erichhcl@gmail.com) on 2016-08-03T13:17:05Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_rscandido.pdf: 956578 bytes, checksum: 0d586e6bc0d9244ade1b445bf839110c (MD5)<br>Approved for entry into archive by Nádja Goes (nmoraissoares@gmail.com) on 2016-08-03T13:27:51Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_rscandido.pdf: 956578 bytes, checksum: 0d586e6bc0d9244ade1b445bf839110c (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T13:27:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016_dis_rscandido.pdf: 956578 bytes, checksum: 0d586e6bc0d9244ade1b445bf839110c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016<br>Two assays were conducted, the first one to determine the nutrient digestibility and metabolizable energy of fish silage with microbiological inoculum for growing pigs, and the second one to evaluate the addition of fish silage flour, which was obtained from the mixture of 50% of corn and 50% of fish silage in diets for pigs at growing and finishing phases, regarding on performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, sensorial evaluation of natural meat as well as mortadella and economic evaluation. In the digestibility assay, it was used 16 barrows with an initial average weight of 33.20 ± 4.93 kg, using the method of total collection of feces and urine. The fish silage presented 36.50% of crude protein, 14.45% of mineral matter, 39.78% of ether extract, and 4,032.09 kcal GE/kg. In the performance assay, 32 barrows with an initial average weight of 26.00 ± 1.68 kg were distributed among four treatments, considering the inclusion levels of 0, 25, 50 and 75% of fish silage flour with microbiological inoculum in the feed. For the whole period, there was a quadratic effect about the daily weight gain with increasing additions of fish silage flour to the diets, presenting the best results with the estimated level at 25.83%. With the increasing levels of fish silage flour there was a decrease on the average thickness of back fat, fat depth and loin depth, but carcass yield and the amount of lean meat were not affected. There was no effect on the quality characteristics of meat. Regarding the mortadella, the inclusion of fish silage flour from 25% in the feed resulted in better color attributes and between 25 and 50% for flavor and overall acceptability. The fish silage flour may be included in diets for pigs at growing and finishing phases up to 25% of inclusion, resulting in inclusion of up to 5.87% of fish silage on dry matter basis.<br>Foram realizados dois ensaios. O primeiro, para determinar a digestibilidade dos nutrientes e a energia metabolizável da silagem de pescado para suínos em crescimento; e o segundo, para avaliar a adição da farinha de silagem de pescado, obtida a partir da mistura de 50% de milho e 50% da silagem de pescado, em rações para suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação, quanto ao desempenho, características de carcaça, qualidade da carne, análise sensorial da carne in natura e da mortadela e avaliação econômica. No ensaio de digestibilidade, foram utilizados 16 suínos machos castrados com peso médio inicial próximo de 33,20 ± 4,93 kg, sendo utilizado o método de coleta total de fezes e urina. A silagem de pescado apresentou 36,50% de proteína bruta, 14,45% de matéria mineral, 39,78% de extrato etéreo e valor energético de 4.032,09 kcal de EM/kg. No ensaio de desempenho, foram utilizados 32 suínos machos castrados, com peso inicial médio de 26,00 ± 1,68 kg, distribuídos entre quatro tratamentos, considerando os níveis de inclusão de 0, 25, 50 e 75% de farinha de silagem de pescado nas rações. No período total, observou-se efeito quadrático sobre o ganho diário de peso com as crescentes adições de farinha de silagem de pescado às dietas, apresentando o melhor resultado no nível estimado de 25,83%. Com os níveis crescentes de farinha de silagem de pescado, houve redução da espessura média de toucinho, profundidade de gordura, área de gordura e profundidade do lombo, porém o rendimento de carcaça e a quantidade de carne magra na carcaça não foram reduzidos. Não houve efeitos sobre as características qualitativas da carne. Em relação à mortadela, a inclusão da farinha de silagem de pescado a partir de 25% na ração resultou nos melhores atributos de cor e entre 25% e 50% para sabor e aceitação global. A farinha de silagem de pescado pode ser incluída em rações para suínos nas fases de crescimento e terminação até o nível de 25% de inclusão, resultando na inclusão de até 5,87% de silagem de pescado com base na matéria seca.

Submitted by Johnny Rodrigues (johnnyrodrigues@ufcg.edu.br) on 2018-05-28T17:26:24Z No. of bitstreams: 1 CIZIA FABIANA MOUTA ALMEIRA DE QUEIROGA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGSA PROFISSIONAL 2016..pdf: 4131212 bytes, checksum: f5131ffaf682ed00eb5cb38170cd7de2 (MD5)<br>Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-28T17:26:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CIZIA FABIANA MOUTA ALMEIRA DE QUEIROGA - DISSERTAÇÃO PPGSA PROFISSIONAL 2016..pdf: 4131212 bytes, checksum: f5131ffaf682ed00eb5cb38170cd7de2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-12-08<br>Tendo em vista as precárias condições de infraestrutura, dos criadores de suínos, observadas na pocilga existente na cidade de Pombal, no sertão paraibano, idealizou-se a realização de um projeto arquitetônico de uma suinocultura coletiva, com as diretrizes adequadas para a criação. O projeto surgiu com o intuito de suprir as necessidades dos criadores e dos animais, que eram: as condições de conforto térmico, por se tratar de uma região muito quente e ter sua importância para esse tipo de criação; o direcionamento dos desejos, que é a grande preocupação dos criadores, pois o suíno é um grande poluidor do meio ambiente e o dimensionamento do espaço adequado para os animais, devido a necessidade de espaço diferentes para cada idade. A idealização estipulou a quantidade de criadores, dez (10) por módulo, como também a quantidade de animais, vinte e seis (26) por cada criador, para que as condições citadas anteriormente não extrapolassem. Dessa forma criou-se o projeto arquitetônico de uma suinocultura coletiva, em nível de anteprojeto. E com o projeto concluido obteve-se a especificação dos matérias, como também suas quantidades e consequentemente o orçamento dos custos e mão de obra desse projeto, de forma a ajudar os criadores a ter uma melhor infraestrutura para sua criação e consequentemente uma melhor qualidade de vida e maior valor de mercado.<br>In view of the precarious infrastructure conditions of the pig creators observed in the pigsty in the town of Pombal in the Hinterland of Paraiba, it was idealized the achievement of an architectural project of a collective swine breeding with the appropriate guidelines for the creation. The project began to meet the needs of the creators and the animals, which were: the conditions of thermal comfort, because it is a very hot region and have its importance for this type of creation; The directing of the desires, which is the great concern of the farmers, since the pig is a great polluter of the environment and the adequate space design for the animals, due to the need of different space for each age. Idealization stipulated the number of creators, ten (10) per module, as well as the number of animals, thirty-six (36) per creator, so that the above-mentioned conditions did not exceed. In this way the architectural project of a collective swine breeding was created, at the level of preliminary design. And with the project ready got the specification of the materials, as well as their quantities and consequently the budget of the costs and manpower of this project, in order to help the creators to have a better infrastructure for their creation and consequently a better quality of life and greater market value.

El present treball constitueix el producte de la recerca d'una solució integral al greu problema social, econòmic i ambiental en què viuen dia a dia centenars de famílies assentades al Parc Porcí de Ventanilla, a Lima-Perú.<br/>S'analitza, s'adapta i fa viable l'aplicació de les tecnologies existents a la utilització de les excretes i orins dels porcs i de les aigües residuals dels habitatges com a matèria primera per a la producció de biogàs i altres subproductes, que serveixin com a: font d'energia, de matèries primeres per a la producció orgànica, per a l'ús racional de l'aigua, la planificació del territori i sobretot per la millora dels ingressos de les famílies, tot prioritzant l'ús dels recursos locals i que sigui assumible per les famílies per la seva operació, manteniment i rèplica, la qual cosa va significar treballar en una metodologia participativa involucrant a les famílies en tot el procés.<br>El presente trabajo constituye el producto de la búsqueda de una solución integral al grave problema social, económico y ambiental en que viven día a día cientos de familias asentadas en el Parque Porcino de Ventanilla, en Lima-Perú.<br/>Se analiza, se adapta y hace viable la aplicación de las tecnologías existentes a la utilización de las excretas y orines de los cerdos y de las aguas residuales de las viviendas como materia prima para la producción de biogás y otros subproductos, que sirvan como: fuente de energía, de insumos para la producción orgánica, para el uso racional del agua, la planificación del territorio y sobre todo para la mejora de los ingresos de las familias, todo ello priorizando el uso de los recursos locales y que sea asumible por las familias para su operación, mantenimiento y réplica, lo cual ha significado trabajar en una metodología participativa involucrando a las familias en todo el proceso.<br>This work results from the search of an integral solution to the very serious social, economical and environmental problems faced by hundreds of families settled in the Porcine Park of Ventanilla in Lima, Peru.<br/>The existing technologies have been analyzed, adapted and applied to use with pigs' excreta and urine, as well as with households´ wastewater as a feedstock for the production of biogas and other sub products. These will be used as: source of energy; organic production inputs; better management of water, spatial planning; and above all, for the improvement of households' incomes. This process prioritizes the use of local resources and is designed to be self managed by the families in terms of operation, maintenance and replication. These two objectives required working in a participatory approach that involved all the families throughout the complete process.

Cette étude archéozoologique porte sur les variations morphologiques de différents éléments du squelette porcin (Sus scrofa domesticus) et s’appuie sur deux présupposés majeurs : (1) les changements morphologiques de l’animal sont le reflet des évolutions du contexte socio-économique ; (2) il existe une grande diversité des formes porcines, conditionnée par différents facteurs d’influence (environnement, stratégies agropastorales, habitudes culturelles, etc.). L’analyse menée, sur la base de tels postulats, tend à mesurer puis décrire ces changements et cette diversité pour tenter d’en comprendre l’origine et les mécanismes de progression. Pour cela il a fallu observer les restes dentaires et osseux de plus de 600 sites archéologiques, situés sur les territoires gaulois, français et italien, datés de La Tène moyenne à la période moderne, à l’aide de différentes méthodes de morphométrie géométrique et traditionnelle. De cette manière, il a été possible de constituer un solide référentiel ostéométrique pour le porc et d’atteindre ici une meilleure compréhension des pratiques d’élevage aux périodes gauloise, romaine et médiévale<br>This archaeozoological study investigates morphological variations in different skeletal parts of the pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) according to two main assumptions: (1) the morphological changes of the animal reflect socio-economic changes; (2) there is a great diversity of pig’s forms, driven by different factors (environment, agropastoral strategies, cultural habits, etc.). Our analysis, based on these assumptions, tends to quantify and describe these changes and this diversification to try to understand their origin and mechanisms. For this we have observed the dental and skeletal remains of more than 600 archaeological sites, located on the Gallic, French and Italian territories, dated from La Tène moyenne to the modern period, using different methods of geometric and traditional morphometrics. In this way, we were able to build a strong osteometric framework for pigs and get new clues to a better understanding of farming practices for Gallic, Roman and medieval periods

Cette these a ete menee afin de permettre une meilleure comprehension, pour une optimisation, de la circulation de l'air dans les porcheries ventilees par un systeme a plafond diffuseur (plaque perforee ou poreuse situee entre l'entree d'air et l'enceinte ventilee ou se trouvent les animaux). Dans un premier temps, des simulations ont ete menees pour un ecoulement unidirectionnel passant a travers un tel ecran considere globalement comme un milieu poreux virtuel. Ces tests ont permis de determiner les conditions optimales a adopter afin d'obtenir des variations de pression correctes : schema de differenciation ccct et modele de turbulence bas-reynolds. Des etudes experimentales (visualisations et mesures au fil chaud 1d) ont ete effectuees dans une maquette simplifiee de porcherie. Deux types de plafond ont ete testes : type i, plafond physiquement poreux (mousse de filtration) et type ii, plafond perfore de trous uniformement repartis. Pour le type i les simulations menees sur cette meme geometrie sont validees en ce qui concerne les vitesses. Pour le type ii, le plafond diffuseur est considere de deux facons. Dans les simulations iia, on prend en compte chacun des jets de la plaque perforee pour une rangee de trous dans la profondeur. On obtient des resultats satisfaisants qui montrent en particulier la formation d'une recirculation due aux jets. Dans les simulations iib, la plaque est consideree virtuellement comme un milieu poreux et les resultats ne sont pas consistants avec la structure de l'ecoulement experimental. Des simulations ont ensuite ete menees pour un plafond diffuseur de type i en prenant en compte l'effet de sources de chaleur dues aux porcs dans la geometrie de la maquette puis dans celle de la porcherie de reference etudiee par le cemagref de rennes.

Dissertação de Mestrado em Engenharia Zootécnica<br>Os suínos são animais muito sensíveis a elevadas temperaturas. Em presença de elevadas temperaturas, acima da sua zona de termo neutralidade, eles accionam mecanismos fisiológicos e comportamentais que permitem facilitar as perdas de calor para o ambiente ou minimizar ganhos de calor do ambiente. A sua ingestão de alimento, bem como a sua performance reprodutiva são afectadas quando as porcas são expostas ao stress térmico. Nesta dissertação, em primeiro lugar, foram determinados os dias que têm um maior impacto negativo na performance reprodutiva em duas linhas de porcas distintas, linha Yorkshire (linha D) produzida principalmente em climas temperados, e a linha Large White (linha I) produzida maioritariamente em climas quentes. Em segundo lugar foi estudada a relação dos dados de temperatura e humidade recolhidos na exploração e recolhidos em estações meteorológicas localizadas a diferentes distâncias da exploração. Em terceiro lugar, foi estudada a importância de novos parâmetros para implementar na estimativa de valores genéticos com a finalidade de aperfeiçoar a selecção de porcas reprodutoras baseada na sua capacidade de ingestão de alimento após o parto e na sua mobilização de reservas durante a lactação. Com esta dissertação pode-se concluir que porcas sujeitas a elevados valores do Índice de Temperatura e Humidade (ITH) diminuem a sua performance reprodutiva traduzindo-se numa diminuição do tamanho da ninhada e da taxa de parto. A taxa de parto da linha D foi afectada significativamente pelo ITH, no entanto a taxa de parto da linha I não foi afectada. O maior impacto negativo do ITH no tamanho da ninhada foi registado 14 dias após a inseminação para a linha D e para a linha I foi registado 5 dias antes da inseminação. A linha D mostrou maiores quebras na performance reprodutiva que a linha I com o aumento do ITH. Dados de temperatura e humidade registados na exploração são mais precisos no estudo das quebras da performance reprodutiva associadas ao stress térmico, no entanto, a estação meteorológica mais próxima da exploração, até uma distância de 117 km, pode também fornecer informação útil para utilizar em estudos relacionados com o stress térmico. No terceiro objectivo, a classificação da ingestão de alimento após o parto mostrou ser um parâmetro interessante para usar no aperfeiçoamento da estimativa de valores genéticos sendo que foi claramente afectado pela temperatura e estação.<br>Pigs are very sensitive to high temperatures, when they are exposed to high temperature, above the thermo-neutral zone, they respond invoking physiological and behavioral mechanisms to facilitate heat losses to the environment or to minimize heat gain from the environment. Feed intake and reproductive performance are affected when sows are exposed to heat stress. Firstly, it was studied on which day heat stress had the greatest impact on reproductive performance in two different sow lines, a Yorkshire line (D-line) producing mainly in temperate climates and a Large White line (I-line) producing mainly in hot climates. Secondly, the relationship of temperature and humidity collected on-farm and collected on weather stations located at different distances from the farm was studied. Thirdly, new indicator traits, feed intake score and losses in back fat during lactation, to use in Breeding Value Estimation were studied. From the first analysis, it was possible concluded that total number born (TNB) was negatively affected by Temperature Humidity Index (THI) for D-line and for I-line. Farrowing rate (FR) of D-line was significantly affected by THI and FR of I-line was not significantly affected by the class effect of THI. Temperature Humidity Index had a largest negative effect on TNB of D-line at 14 days after insemination and the largest effect of THI on TNB of I-line was at 5 days before insemination. D-line showed higher losses in reproductive performance than I-line sows when THI increased. These differences may be an indication of genetic differences in heat stress tolerance in sow lines. From the second objective, it was possible concluded that data from on-farm records were more accurate for predict losses in reproduction performance than information from weather station; however, weather station until 117 km far from the farm also provide satisfactory information for quantify losses in reproduction performance under heat stress conditions. From the third objective, feed intake score is a trait affected by high temperature and season. Feed intake score showed a low heritability; however may be introduced at Breeding Value Estimation to improve selection on start up of sows in Spain and Portugal. Losses in back fat during lactation was not a heritable trait.

碩士<br>國立中正大學<br>企業管理系研究所<br>104<br>There are three uncomplicated but famous approaches to address the issue of sow breeding improvement. They can improve the genetic formation, leading to an impact on the quality of swine breeding. The three approaches are as follows. (1)Utilization of hybridization advantage (2)Introduction of novel genes from different sows (3)Positive selection from the inner field with respect to the specific traits In the third approach, there are of variances in the presentation of the specific traits. In general, these variances are belonging to the normal distribution. Therefore, most of swine are the above level for the specific traits; however, some are part of the outliers. Practictioners also choose the better parents to be as a pool for the breeding improvement. Accordingly, the next generation will tend to the positive way and improve the quality of swine breeding. As the argument above, there is a research problem we want to address; that is, how to determine the better parents for the next generation. In this study, we employ the big data from the past historical records of swine breeding and use the technique of data mining – decision tree to analyze the feature of the better parents. The analysis result can proffer the reference of breeding improvement.

碩士<br>國立中興大學<br>畜牧學系<br>85<br>The purpose of this study was to build a diagnostic support system for the operation profitability of breeding chicken farms. By inputting records of the poultry farm and using the high speed function of personal computer, a diagnostic report for the operation profitability was given to act as a valuable reference of decision-making. This system was designed with the programming language of DBASE IV. The main menu of the system was divided into six functions in terms of data input, data modification, data searching, statistic reports, data analysis, and system management. The system contains nine records concerning hatchery, flock growth, egg production, farm expenses, farm receipts, production plan, labors, vaccination, and medical treatment records. The main analysis items of operation profitability include fertility rate, hatchery rate, growth rate, mortality, feed consumption, feed efficiency, average weight, production rate, average egg weight, total cost, total revenue, net profits, return-cost ratio, profit rate, cost of eggs, and labor efficiency. The way to diagnose the operation profitability is to compare current performance of the farm with the criteria of evaluation and to list the difference individually.According to the farm records, the system calculates the profitability quickly, lists each report and farm current situation, and gives a diagnostic report automatically after analysis. Farm manager can therefore understand the operation efficiency and economic profit, save the time in calculating manually, and omit the boring calculation. The system compares current performance with past records, and to make the manager understand his farm current situation. A function of comparison with other farm records to understand the efficiency and inefficiency points of the farm are also provided, and to be a reference of decision-making to improve his business in the future.

碩士<br>中華大學<br>運輸科技與物流管理學系<br>105<br>The use of animal models for human basic and clinical research has been an important part of medical research and development. Early, for the convenience purpose, the use of mice, rats, rabbits, dogs and other real animals has been the main mode of human biology research. In recent years, more and more studies have shown that Specific Pathogen Free (SPF) pigs are a valuable animal model in the field of biomedical research. Because the A company has long been in the market for the only domestic production unit, the risk assessment is almost no more for the program. Whether the internal environment or the external environment, the market is constantly changing and the technology is progressing. Therefore, review of the current status and the possible risk that becomes a way to keep the advantage of market and to avoid the emergence of competitors. This study applied the SWOT analysis to analyze the current situation and development difficulties of case “A” Company, and to propose the competitive strategies and action plans. Then ten senior managers were interviewed and answered a questionnaire survey. The results show that the most feasible competitive strategies and action plans are: (1) to improve the treatment of technical personnel to reduce the risk of poaching; (2) to establish the incentive bonus system to enhance staffs’ centripetal force; and (3) to expand the corral to increase the number of SPF.

The aim of this thesis was to evaluate the pig fattening at the school farm in Měšice. The work is concern with the evaluation of the fattening period, the production and realization price of the pigs. The monitoring was conducted from 2010 to 2011. The evaluation included a total of 1994 pigs. The thesis take into consideration not only the initial and final weight of the animals, the losses, duration of the fattening period and the average slaughter weight, but also the total costs of their fattening. The statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel. To evaluate the results the monitored indicators were calculated as average values and differences between data. When taken into the pre?fattening in 2010 the average weight reached 5.10 kg per piglet. In 2011 this figure dropped to 5.05 kg. The average weight of pigs sold in 2010 was 107.35 kg. It declined in 2011 to 101.27 kg. In 2010 the school farm in Měšice achieved an average daily weight gain of 0.67 kg. This number increased in 2011 to 0.74 kg. The average fattening cost per pig/day, during the reporting period in 2010, was 26.07 CZK. There was an increase the following year by 0.89 CZK to the amount of 26.96 CZK. When selling the pork meat in 2010, the average realized price by the farm was 26.46 CZK/kg. In 2011, the average realized price rose by 2.35 CZK / kg, thus increased to CZK 28.81CZK/kg Considering all the indicators and the production costs of the pig meat, the farm encountered a loss for the entire reporting period.

Thesis (M.A. (Agricultural Extension)) -- University of Limpopo, 2015<br>The aim of the study was to analyse the socio-economic factors affecting the gross margin of small-scale broiler producers in the Vhembe district and thereby determine their profitability and contribution towards the local economic development. The population comprised of small-scale broiler producers who reared between100 and 3200 birds in the Vhembe district. A total of 94 out of 311small-scale broiler producers were selected using a simple random- sampling procedure. Data on different socio-economic parameters was collected through personal interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was computed using FREQ COUNTS procedures to describe the characteristics of small-scale broiler producers. Gross margin analysis was used to calculate the profitability for small-scale broiler producers. The Multiple Linear Regression was used to estimate the influence of socio-economic factors influence on the gross margin of the small-scale broiler producers. Multiple Regression analysis indicated that small-scale broiler producers in the Vhembe district were making profit. Socio-economic variables such as age of the farmer, farming experience, flock size, training received by the farmer, market access and record keeping, educational level, household income and extension services were found to have positive correlation with the small-scale broiler producers‟ gross margin. To effectively address production constraints affecting gross margin of small-scale broiler producers, it is, therefore, fundamental to consider their socio-economic profiles.

A pig genetic resources study was conducted in five municipalities of Sekhukhune with the aim of characterising pig genetic resources in communal farming systems. A total of 52 pig farmers were interviewed using a structured questionnaire instrument. Of the 52 farmers 65 percent were subsistence, 27 percent back-yard and 8 percent emerging farmers. The primary data collected included demography, production practices, herd structure, feeds and feeding, breeding practices, marketing, and conservation methods. Two indigenous pig farmers and one exotic pig farmers were selected for purpose of measuring growth and other linear traits of piglets over a period of two months. Four hundred and nine (409) pigs were used for body measurements of which 124 were from emerging farms, 71 from subsistence and 206 from back-yard farms. Data was analysed using SAS Package (SAS, Version 9.3). Demographic representation of farmers showed 79 percent of farmers being males, 85 percent married. With 50 percent between the ages of 55-64; 60 percent owning the farms and 83 percent Northern Sotho speaking farms. The majority of farmers (39 percent) had secondary education with 81 percent trained in production and over eight years of farming experience. The objective of farmers raising pigs was mainly for selling at a frequency of 60 percent. Over 70 percent of the farmers had a good grasp of controlling internal and external parasites. However, over 80 percent of the farmers did not vaccinate or get advice from extension officers. When comparing the production systems, there was no variation in the number of young pigs produced. Only 13 percent of the emerging farmers and eight percent in back-yard had proper housing. Only 10 percent of the farmers had financial assistance. That led to only 10 percent of the farmers able to feed complete rations to their animals. Cross breeding has been practiced within communal areas by over 75 percent of the farmers. Over 15 percent bought boars from commercial farmers. This practice enabled them to sell their piglets to private buyers at 50-60 kg at an average price of R500 – R1000. Though the value of indigenous breeds was rated high by over 63 percent the size and price compelled them to cross-breed. An establishment of an indigenous breeding program is highly recommended.<br>Agriculture, Animal Health and Human Ecology<br>M. Sc. (Agriculture)

The diploma thesis deals with the issue of stable climate, amount of gas emissions in pig breeding. It evaluates the technology used in the selected breed and suggests improvement. Part of the thesis is a literary research of the issue of breeding from a physical and legislative point of view. The measurements were carried out using Commeter D4141, Testo 435 and INNOVA 1412. The measured values are compared to the EU directive. By measuring, it was found that despite the technology used, the existing limits in breeds were exceeded by up to 47%. There are suggested options for how to change this situation.

This thesis is concerned with a theoretical simulation model for pig breeding, as part of the ongoing search for the “perfect” genotype. The starting point is an additive model to investigate how accurately the classical, infinitesimal model predicts genetic gain for traits controlled by few loci and few alleles. This initial investigation demonstrates that the infinitesimal model is robust, providing that at least 15 loci are controlling a trait and there is symmetry in the allele distributions. A Genotype-Pig (GE-Pig) model is then developed to apply the additive effects of alleles on sub-phenotypic traits like maximum protein deposition, minimum lipid to protein content in the whole body, ad libitum digestible energy intake, energy for maintenance requirement and water content in the whole body. These parameters are then used in a nutrient partitioning simulation model to growth a pig and calculate traditional breeding traits such as average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and backfat thickness for any combination of alleles. Three algorithms, Genetic Algorithm, Tabu Search, and Simulated Annealing, are used to investigate the GE-Pig model and find optimal combination of alleles for different dietary and selection objective situations. The two diets investigated were either of a low or high quality, and the three selection objectives used were, maximising average daily gain, minimizing feed conversion ratio, and minimizing back fat. A graphical method is developed for easy comparison of the genotypes. Of the algorithms, the Genetic Algorithm performed the best, followed by Tabu Search and finally Simulated Annealing. It is demonstrated that, in general, there is a different, single, optimum for any given selection objective and diet. However under the back fat selection objective, both diets produce the same optimal genotype. Also there are many similarities between the optima for the average daily gain and feed conversion ratio selection objectives. When the theoretical minimum number of generations of selection to the optima is considered, the feed conversion ratio selection objective is the quickest for a breeding program to achieve the optimal solutions, followed by back fat, then average daily gain. It is demonstrated that diet also has an effect on the theoretical number of generations. A Multiple selection objective, using relative economic values applied to the individual selection objectives, is also investigated. For both diets, the majority of the multiple selection objective solutions are in the vicinity of the feed conversion ratio optima, indicating that feed conversion ratio is the most prominent factor. It is also demonstrated that the optimal solution is most affected by the objective parameter weights under low diet conditions.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Animal Production)) --University of Limpopo, 2018<br>Pigs are of high economic importance, especially among the smallholder pig farmers as they contribute to human nutrition, food security, poverty alleviation, enhanced livelihood and creation of employment for the rural community. However, reproductive inefficiency is the main limiting factor due to inaccessibility to superior germplasm. Therefore, advances in reproductive technologies such as oestrus synchronization and artificial insemination (AI) offers unprecedented opportunities for livestock improvement for smallholder pig farmers. The first objective determined the status of pig productivity in smallholder farms of Gauteng Province prior to the introduction of advanced reproductive technologies (ARTs). The population was divided into four strata, namely West Rand, Ekurhuleni, Tshwane and Sedibeng district municipalities. A proportional stratified random sampling procedure was used to select 71 smallholder pig farmers with the assistance of extension officers from Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD). The majority of the respondents were males (67%) and were above 50 years of age (67%), whilst 56% of the respondents had high school education. Majority of the respondents privately owned the farms (62%) and the farm infrastructure had facilities with low cost housing and modern facilities. Additionally, 47% of the respondents fed their pigs with feed swill. A large proportion of the respondents did not vaccinate their pigs (81%). Majority of respondents did not identify their pig herds (63%). Interestingly, majority of the respondents did not have breeding boars (73%) and sold their pigs at auctions (70%). The second objective determined semen characteristics evaluated by a Computer Aided Sperm Analyser® (CASA®) as a measure of boar fertility to be used for artificial insemination (AI). Sixteen ejaculates were collected from three Large White boars that are routinely used for semen collection purposes using the gloved-hand technique. The semen was extended with a commercial semen extender; Beltsville Thawing Solution, and the AI dose used consisted of 80mL semen sample (3×109 spermatozoa/mL). Aliquots of diluted semen were evaluated for spermatozoa motility using CASA®. Spermatozoa viability was evaluated using Synthetic Binding CD-14 (SYBR+)/Propidium Iodide (PI-), whereas spermatozoa morphology was evaluated using Eosin Nigrosin stain. The average semen volume, concentration and pH were 210 mL, 264.8 x 106 spermatozoa/mL and 7.1, respectively. The average values for total spermatozoa motility was 95.1%, ranging from 82.7 and 98.5%. However, XIX there were lower values found for progressive spermatozoa motility, ranging from 13.6 to 39.0%. The mean values for morphologically normal spermatozoa ranged from 47.8-60.9% and live spermatozoa ranged from 71.8-77.7%. The third objective determined sow fertility following AI at smallholder farms A total of 73 multiparous sows were artificially inseminated. Conception rates, farrowing rates, litter size and number born alive were recorded. The average conception and farrowing rates were 78.1 and 57.5%, respectively. Furthermore, AI resulted in acceptable fecundity (i.e., 11.8 litter size and 10.0 number of piglets born alive). The fourth objective determined the relationship between spermatozoa quality characteristics and sow fertility at smallholder farms in Gauteng Province. Of all fertility characteristics studied, conception rate was significantly related to total spermatozoa motility rate (r= 0.37, P<0.01), progressive motility (r= 0.31, P<0.01) and rapid motility (r= 0.40, P<0.01), although relatively low. There was a low negative relationship between spermatozoa morphological characteristics and fertility (P>0.05). The fifth objective determined the pre-weaning growth performance of piglets born following AI at smallholder farms of Gauteng province. Individual piglets were weighed using an electronic weighing scale. Litter size, number of piglets born alive, number of piglets weaned, the average piglet birth weight and average piglet weaned weight were recorded. The average litter size was 11.8 ± 0.2. The average birth weight and weaning weights were 1.9 and 6.2 kg, respectively. No significant differences were found between male and female piglets for all the growth performance characteristics. Piglets born during winter had a significantly higher (P<0.05) birth and weaning weight as compared to autumn and summer months. Season had a significant effect on birth and weaning weight (P<0.01). However, sex of piglets had no effect on all the characteristics recorded (P>0.05). The interaction between sex and season was only observed on the total number of weaned piglets (P<0.01). A highly significant positive correlation was found between litter size and number of piglets born alive (r= 0.86) and total number of piglets weaned (r= 0.50). A highly significant correlation was found between total number of piglets born alive and total number of piglets weaned (r= 0.55). In conclusion, the study demonstrated the potential benefit of adopting AI technology under smallholder production systems to disseminate superior genetic material to smallholder pig farmers in Gauteng Province. The total spermatozoa motility, progressive and rapid spermatozoa motility were the only spermatozoa motility characteristics significantly correlated XX with conception rate. Conversely, litter size and number born alive were not correlated with CASA® spermatozoa motility attributes. No relationships existed between spermatozoa morphological characteristics and fertility. The sex ratio percentage of piglets born following AI was 52:48% (females: males). The number of piglets born alive was 10.2 and 9.5 for number piglets weaned. Season influenced birth to weaning weight. However, sex had no significant influence at birth and weaning weight. Litter size affects the number of piglets born alive and weaned. The study showed that the introduction of advanced reproductive technologies improved productivity of pigs at smallholder pig farms in Gauteng Province.<br>Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) and Southern African Science Service Centre for Climate Change and Adaptive Land Management (SASSCAL

In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden drei Modellrechnungen vorgestellt, die auf dem Selektionsindex basieren und mit denen der Nutzen genomischer Zusatzinformation auf aktuelle Selektionsstrategien für Reitpferde und Schweine ermittelt werden soll. In Kapitel eins werden sowohl die klassischen Instrumente der Tierzucht, der Selektionsindex, die ökonomische Modellierung und die Genfluss-Methode, als auch die genomische Selektion dargestellt. Zudem wird die Software ZPlan+, in welcher diese Instrumente miteinander kombiniert sind, kurz vorgestellt. Im zweiten Kapitel der Arbeit wird das Potenzial der genomischen Selektion für die Reitpferdezucht dargestellt. Der Zugewinn an Genauigkeit eines Zuchtwerts durch Hinzunahme genomischer Information wurde für drei praxisnahe Selektionsschritte betrachtet, nämlich für Pferde ohne Eigenleistung, Pferde mit Eigenleistung und Pferde mit Eigen- und Nachkommenleistungen. Die Modellrechnung zeigte, dass sich durch Hinzunahme genomischer Information besonders die Genauigkeit von Zuchtwerten junger Pferde ohne Eigen- oder Nachkommenleistung beträchtlich steigern ließe. Sobald Nachkommenleistungen unterstellt wurden war der Zugewinn an Genauigkeit durch genomische Information jedoch zu vernachlässigen. Für die praktische Pferdezucht ist die genomische Selektion daher vor allem für die Absicherung vorläufiger Zuchtzulassungen für junge Hengste nach der Körung und für leistungsgeprüfte Hengste ohne Nachkommenleistungen empfehlenswert. Im dritten Kapitel der Arbeit wurde untersucht, wie sich die Art der berücksichtigten Informationsquellen (konventionell oder genomisch) auf die Interaktion der Parameter genetische Korrelation, Heritabilität und ökonomische Gewichtung auswirkte. Als Vergleichsparameter wurde die Standardabweichung des jeweiligen Indexes herangezogen, welche sich direkt proportional zum Zuchtfortschritt verhält. Es wurden drei Indices mit zwei Zuchtzielmerkmalen verglichen, deren Informationsquellen in Anlehnung an die Schweinezucht gewählt wurden. Der erste Index wurde für ein Tier mit Eigenleistung aufgestellt, während im zweiten Index zusätzliche Vollgeschwisterleistungen angenommen wurden. Im dritten Index wurde die Eigenleistung mit genomischer Information für beide Zuchtzielmerkmale kombiniert. Die Genauigkeit der genomischen Zuchtwerte wurde durch Annahme unterschiedlich großer Referenzpopulationen variiert. Je mehr Information im Index berücksichtigt wurde, desto unabhängiger wurde die Standardabweichung des Indexes von den Parametern genetische Korrelation, Heritabilität und ökonomische Gewichtung. Dabei wurden für den Vollgeschwisterindex mit 7 Vollgeschwistern und den genomischen Indexes mit einer Referenzpopulation von 1.000 Tieren vergleichbare Ergebnisse gefunden. Die Anzahl von 1.000 Tieren in der Referenzpopulation kann somit als Mindestmaß für die Schweinezucht angenommen werden. Für geringere Heritabilitäten zeigte sich eine deutliche Überlegenheit des genomischen Indexes über den Vollgeschwisterindex. Im vierten Kapitel der Arbeit wurde ein Schweinezuchtprogramm optimiert. Dazu wurden verschiedene Zuchtziele und Selektionsstrategien gegen Ebergeruch verglichen. Das Zuchtziel war entweder die Selektion gegen den Gehalt der chemischen Leitkomponenten des Ebergeruchs, Androstenon, Skatol und Indol oder die Selektion gegen den, von Testpersonen bestimmten, Human Nose Score. Innerhalb der Selektion gegen die chemischen Komponenten wurden drei verschiedene Informationsquellen miteinander verglichen, nämlich eine Feldprüfung in Form einer Biopsie am lebenden Eber, genomische Selektion sowie die Kombination beider Informationen. Innerhalb der Selektion gegen den Human Nose Score wurden als Informationsquellen eine Stationsprüfung von Voll- und Halbgeschwistern des Selektionskandidaten sowie genomische Selektion miteinander verglichen. Das komplexe Zuchtprogramm wurde deterministisch mit der Software ZPlan+ modelliert. Bei der Selektion gegen die chemischen Komponenten des Ebergeruchs war der Zuchtfortschritt am höchsten, wenn als Informationsquelle die Eigenleistung in Form einer Biopsie der männlichen Selektionskandidaten genutzt wurde. Aufgrund der hohen Erblichkeit der Ebergeruchskomponenten war der Nutzen genomischer Zuchtwerte deutlich geringer und gleichzeitig teurer. Für die Selektion gegen den geringer erblichen Human Nose Score lieferte die genomische Selektion einen höheren Zuchtfortschritt als die Stationsprüfung der Geschwister des Selektions-kandidaten. Auch wenn der Human Nose Score als Zielmerkmal angesehen wurde, erwies sich eine Selektion gegen die chemischen Komponenten als zielführend, da der (korrelierte) naturale Zuchtfortschritt des Human Nose Scores bei Durchführung einer Biopsie deutlich höher war, als bei direkter Selektion gegen den Human Nose Score. Im fünften Kapitel wird das Potential der genomischen Selektion für die Reitpferde- und Schweinezucht diskutiert. Dabei wird besonders auf Möglichkeiten für die Vergrößerung der Referenzpopulation und der Kostenreduktion eingegangen. Für die Reitpferdezucht wer-den zusätzlich Möglichkeiten aufgezeigt, wie der Zuchtfortschritt mit konventionellen Methoden gesteigert werden könnte.

This thesis deals with the complex project of the technical and technological equipment in a new building of the agricultural object. This thesis is divided into two parts. The first part is focused on the description possible and and the most often used variants of technical and technological equipments together with legislative terms. The second part is focused on the design of these equipments including calculations and drawings.

The aim of the diploma thesis is to evaluate economic results of dairy cattle breeding. The thesis reckons with operating indicators of the herd, operating costs and revenues in the period 2010 - 2011. The result of the thesis is a quantification of operating profit in both years and formulating the rate of operating profitability. The agricultural enterprise subject to research farms in the potato- growing Pilsen region. Its main business is Holstein cattle breeding. The average number of cows in the farm was 221 in these years. The breeding takes place in the framework of a closed turnover of the cattle. The cattle is divided into age categories matched with direct costs. Producing and reproducing indicators are evaluated in particular categories. This makes it possible to express the price of a three-month old calf, the price of a full-grown heifer, costs of production of one litre of milk, and the share of particular costs by quantifying total costs. The overall profit consists of takings for sale of milk, springer heifers, and beef cattle. Besides revenues, another income of the enterprise is the subsidy. Profitability of takings is also calculated according to farming results.

Orientação: Sofia Van Harten ; co-orientação: José Maria Lopes Cardoso<br>Os resultados produtivos de uma exploração de suínos, são um excelente indicador da rentabilidade e sanidade de uma exploração. O principal fator que influencia os resultados produtivos é um bom maneio, embora a genética utilizada, em parceria com um bom maneio, também tenha influência relevante nos resultados finais. Neste contexto esta dissertação tem como objetivo descrever em pormenor o maneio utilizado na exploração Sociedade Agropecuária Vale Henriques, em que o efetivo reprodutor tem a genética dinamarquesa DanBred®. Esta genética tem como principal característica o facto de ser hiperprolífica. Outro objetivo desta dissertação é apresentar os resultados produtivos na área da reprodução desde a cobrição até ao desmame no período entre 01 de Outubro de 2015 e 30 de Setembro de 2016, assim como comparar estes resultados com os de explorações portuguesas e espanholas neste período. Os resultados apresentados demonstram que os resultados de Vale Henriques, com o maneio implementado associado à genética DanBred®, são melhores do que a média das explorações portuguesas e espanholas. Leitões desmamados por porca presente ao ano: Vale Henriques 33,034 leitões, média em Portugal 29,175 leitões, média em Espanha 28,605 leitões. Leitões nascidos vivos por ninhada: Vale Henriques 16,202 leitões, média em Portugal 13,692 leitões, média em Espanha 13,266 leitões. Taxa de mortalidade até ao desmame: Vale Henriques 25,941%, média em Portugal 19,481%, média Espanha 17,21%. Intervalo desmame cobrição fértil: Vale Henriques 7,996 dias, média em Portugal 8,59 dias, média em Espanha 8,29 dias. Os resultados de Vale Henriques são globalmente bons, com exceção da mortalidade dos leitões até ao desmame, este resultado deve-se à caraterística hiperprolífica da genética utilizada, havendo mais leitões para nascer e desmamar por ninhada, aumentando o risco de morte dos mesmos. O principal fator de melhoramento no maneio, que deveria ser introduzido nas explorações suínicolas, é a implementação de medidas baseadas em estudos experimentais para a redução da taxa de mortalidade dos leitões.<br>The productive results in a swine herd are an excellent indicator in terms of profits and sanity in a herd. The main factor that influences the productive results is a good management, however, the genetics also have influence on the results when a good management is implemented. In this context, this dissertation describes all the management used in Sociedade Agro pecuária Vale Henriques, with reproductive sows from an Danish genetics named DanBred®. The main characteristic of these sows are hyperprolificity. An objective of this dissertation is the revelation of productive results from insemination to weaning during the period of 12 months (October 2015 to September 2016). Another goal is to compare these results with those from swine herds in Portugal and Spain during the same period. The present results from Vale Henriques, with the implemented management and genetics reveal that they are far better than the average from the herds in Portugal and Spain. Weaned piglets per year per present sow are 33,034 piglets (Vale Henriques) with the average in Portugal being 29,175 piglets and in Spain 28,605 piglets. Live born piglets per litter are 16,202 piglets (Vale Henriques) compared to an average of 13,692 piglets in Portugal and 13,266 piglets in Spain. The mortality rate until weaning is 25,91% in Vale Henriques and the average in Portugal being 19,48% and in Spain 17,21%. Weaningconception period: Vale Henriques 7,996 days, average in Portugal 8,59 days, average in Spain 8,29 days. Globally the results from Vale Henriques are good, except for the mortality rate until weaning. This result can be explained by the use of hiperprolific sows, the mortality rate is increased because there are more piglets to born and wean. The implementation of management measures, with scientific support, to decrease the piglet mortality are definitely the main course that swine herds should adopt.

This study was done in the rural areas of uThukela District in KwaZulu-Natal. The objectives were to determine pig production and management practices used by farmers in rearing pigs in rural areas; to establish the role of pigs in social and economic lives of the people; and to characterize and determine constrains and opportunities of pig farming in rural areas. A farming systems approach was used in conjunction with a cross-sectional survey method using a structured questionnaire in face-to-face interviews with farmers for the collection of data. The study involved 4 local rural municipalities with a population of 4205 people who owned 2555 pigs. The sample size was 533 pig farmers/respondents. The data included the demographic characteristics of pig farmers, pig production and management practices, the role of pigs in both the social and economic lives of people and the constraints and opportunities of pig farming. The data were analyzed to determine simple means and frequencies. The results showed that 20% of pigs were reared in intensive systems and 80% in extensive systems in the district. Each village owned an average of 5 pigs. There were more female respondents (60%) than males, and also female respondents owned more (65%) pigs than males. Most of respondents (99%) were Zulu speaking people and only 1% was from other cultural groups. Majority of the respondents (74%) were unemployed, 16% were pensioners and only 10% were employed. Those who were employed kept more pigs than the other groups. Over one third of the respondents had primary (34.5%) and secondary (35.3%) education; and 2.7% had college education, while 27.5% had no formal education at all. Sixty-two percent of the older respondents between the age of 46 and 65 years kept more pigs than younger farmers. The collective incomes of the communities from salaries, pensions, and sales of livestock and crops per annum were substantial. The average land size per household ranged from 0.01 ha to 56 ha. Male respondents owned more land (1.68 ha) than female respondents (0.96 ha). Similarly, employed people owned more land (2.49 ha) than pensioners (1.26 ha) and the unemployed people (1.04 ha). Respondents kept other livestock species such as cattle, sheep, goats and chickens. Ninety percent of households kept chickens in addition to cattle (53%) and goats (49.3%). They also grew crops such as maize, potatoes, vegetables (cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, carrots, beetroots and onions) and fruits (peaches, apples and grapes). They kept pigs for home consumption (63%), source of income (33%), source of manure (3%) and for other reasons (1%). More employed people (68%) sold pigs for extra income, while 91% pensioners and 81% unemployed people used pigs for home consumption. Marketing channels included pension pay points, abattoirs, butcheries and neighbourhoods. Abattoir sales accounted for 10% and the most common venues were Amblecyte (40%) and Cato Ridge (27%). Selling of pigs occurred throughout the year, with the peak in winter (May/July). Majority of farmers (59%) used their own transport to deliver pigs to the selling points or they used contractors (41%). Pigs were sold at the age of 5 to 18 months old. Farmers sold live pigs and pork to the communities. Some farmers sold live pigs only, while others sold pork only or both pork and live pigs. Religion and culture had little influence on pig farming. Most farmers (88%) had no religious or cultural influences, while 7% were influenced by religion and 1% was influenced by culture. The most preferred meat among the communities was chicken meat, followed by beef, pork, mutton and chevon. Half of the respondents had >6 years of experience in pig farming, 34.9% had 2 – 5 years of experience and 14.8% were beginners. The breeds of pigs kept in the district included indigenous breeds, Large White, Landrace, Duroc and crosses of indigenous breeds with Large White and Landrace. Farmers bought breeding stock within their communities or they selected breeding stock from their own herds. Very few farmers have ever received any type of training in pig farming. The training was provided by the KZN Provincial Government, Zakhe Agricultural College and private farms. The training took 2-3 days of workshops, 2-3 weeks of short courses or 3-6 months of hands-on training on private farms. The training improved the performance of sows within the communities. Only 41% of farmers practised controlled stock breeding, which improved the farrowing rate and litter size. About one third (32%) of farmers bred their gilts at 6 – 8 months, while 21.2% bred them at 8-12 months, and 29% bred them after 12 months. The farrowing rate of indigenous sows was one litter per annum compared with the majority of Landrace and Duroc sows that farrowed twice a year. Some farmers (28%) reported that they routinely observed farrowing, while 72% of them said they never knew when the sows farrowed until they saw sows and new litters coming back to their pens after grazing in the veld. The litter sizes varied from ≤ 7 to ≥ 10. Half of the indigenous sows farrowed ≤ 7 piglets per litter, while 41% had 8-10 piglets; compared with 49% Large White and 44% Duroc that farrowed 8-10 and ≥ 10 per litter, respectively. Majority of farmers (66.1%) did not wean their piglets at all, which was associated with low farrowing rate. However, farmers who sold weaners for income weaned their piglets between 3 weeks and 3 months. This was associated with higher farrowing rate of sows. Piglet mortality was mainly due to worm infestation (26%), loss of hair (13%), lice and mange infestation (16.4%) and diarrhoea (5.6%). Despite that only 10% of farmers consulted the local Department of Veterinary Services. Some farmers (44.2%) said that they did not know that they could make use of Veterinary services, and 28% of them said it was a waste of time. Majority of farmers (80%) used home kitchen swill and brewer’s grains to feed their pigs. Only 16% of farmers bought commercial feeds and 2% fed them on maize grains and vegetables. Commercial feeds were bought from Farm Save (48%), Afgri (19%) and Epol (7%). Some farmers (65.4%) weighed feed before feeding, while 35% did not weigh feed at all. Water was provided at feeding time, ad libitum or several times a day. Farmers disposed of carcasses by eating them, feeding to their dogs, or throwing them away. Over half of the farmers (52%) did not take carcasses for post mortem, while 26% did not know that they could send carcasses for post mortem and 20% said they could not afford the cost. The study concluded that pigs have a vital social and economic role in the lives of the rural people of KZN for income generation and household consumption. The main constraints are wide spread poverty and lack of management skills in pig production, nutrition, health,housing and management. Government intervention is necessary to help farmers to improve pig production and management as a means of poverty alleviation and household food security.<br>Agriculture and  Animal Health<br>M.Sc. (Agriculture)