Efficiency of use of pigs, bred in Lithuania, in hybridization system

Boars of Landrace, Duroc and Pietrain breeds had positive influence on the vitality of delivered hybrids. Better growth of hybrids is defined in these combinations, where boars of Duroc breed were used. According to the data of Piglog 105, crossbreds of Yorkshire and Pietrain distinguished by the biggest muscularity (59.0%), and the least muscularity was indicated among crossbreds of Yorkshire, Landrace and Duroc (three breeds) and of Lithuanian White and Landrace (53.5 and 54.4% respectively). Lowest muscularity was indicated namely among hybrids of the combinations, having the highest daily gain. Combinations of hybridization, recommended in Lithuania, are presented in the table 1

Effect of parity on reproductive performance sows of different breeds

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of parity on reproductive performance by sows of different breeds. The sows were raised on three farms, and had seven or more litters of not fewer than seven piglets. A total of 1511 litters from various parities of Lithuanian White (N =721), Large White (N = 162) and Landrace (N = 628) sows were contained in the data that were used in this study. Multiparous sows had larger litters than primiparous sows. Piglet survival rate declined from parity 7. An increase in litter size was observed until parity 5 in Large White and until parity 6 in improved Lithuanian White (P <0.05). In comparison with parity 1, Landrace sows up to parity 5 showed not only increased prolificacy, but also increased number and litter weight of piglets at 21 days old, and the number and litter weight of weaned piglets (P <0.01). The current findings indicate that sows of these breeds can be used effectively in breeding herds until parity 5 and parity 6