Quantitative-genetic analysis of growth intensity of autochthonous breeds Mangalitsa pigs reared in traditional and modern systems

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse growth intensity of Mangalitsa pig breed reared in two different systems, traditional and modern (intensive), which provides basic indicators of the economy of the rearing of this pig breed. The study included 13 litters (78 pigs) of Mangalitsa reared in the traditional system (MTS) and 13 litters (98 pigs) reared in the modern system (MMS). In the rearing phase there were 60 MTS piglets and 90 MMS piglets, and in the fattening phase 53 MTS pigs and 71 MMS pigs. Genetic parameters were estimated using the restricted maximum likelihood (REML) procedure based on an animal model with multivariate analyses. Results indicated a significant advantage of growth intensity in certain phases of rearing MMS in relation to MTS. Compared to the MTS piglets, the MMS piglets achieved 2.18 kg higher body weight at suckling and 7.02 kg higher body weight at the end of rearing, and fattening was 56 days shorter. At the end of fattening, the MMS fatlings at age of 255 days achieved body weight of 96.50 kg, while the MTS fatlings at age of 311 days achieved average body weight of 93.04 kg. All traits of growth intensity recorded had medium to high degree of heritability: for WB 0.226, for WW 0.328, for ADGS 0.501, for WR 0.673, for ADGR 0.492, for WF 0.703, for ADGF 0.373, for WEF 0.614 and for ADGL 0.495. Based on the obtained results in this study it is concluded that for survival, genetic improvement, and affirmation of existing resources, it is necessary to apply modern technologies in the breeding and rearing of the Mangalitsa breed, as well as to review the selection criteria and the parameters of genetic progress, in order to increase survival rate, competitiveness and further expand the market.