WEIGHT AT BIRTH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 July 1939, Page 3

WEIGHT AT BIRTH

RESEARCH IN ENGLAND.

SOW PREDOMINATING FACTOR

Much attention is being given in England to the factors which govern the growth of young pigs and what determines the size of litters, and the subject occupies quite a lot of attention at the Institute of Animal Genetics, Edinburgh, under the direction of Dr A. D. Buchanan Smith and Dr Donald, noted British research workers. The conclusions arrived at so fax’ show that the sow is the dominating factor as regards both the birth weight and the weaning of the young pigs. Birth weight is of importance, they say, because the heavier pig at birth is usually able to obtain for itself a teat which secretes more milk and therefore it makes greater growth subsequently. The milking capacity of the sow is a most important factor in determining the growth of the sucking pig, particularly up to four weeks of age, but even up to weaning weight it is important .since here again the pig which has an advantage over its fellows maintains that advantage. While heavy weight at weaning is a decided advantage in that the pig will reach marketable weight quicker, it is said that this is not a good basis fox’ genetic selection. Actually, the heavier pig at weaning does not necessarily make the better rate of growth once allowance has been made for the difference in weight at weaning. As there is a very considerable difference sometimes .in the milk production of sows as well as the quantity of milk from the individual teats of a sow, it is obvious that this should be borne in mind when selections are being made.