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Genetic variation in the efficiency of energy utilization by the fattening pig

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

W. H. Foster ,
D. J. Kilpatrick  and
I. H. Heaney
W. H. Foster
Affiliation:
Agricultural Research Institute, Hillsborough, Co. Down
D. J. Kilpatrick
Affiliation:
Department of Agricultural Biometrics, Agriculture and Food Science Centre, New forge Lane, Belfast, BT9 5PX
I. H. Heaney
Affiliation:
Pig Testing Station, Muckamore, Co. Antrim
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Abstract

An analysis was performed on data from three breeds recorded at the Pig Testing Station in Antrim in order to estimate and apportion variation in the measure of efficiency considered here, namely the daily food consumption after allowance had been made for maintenance and production requirements and other fixed effects. Results suggest that a considerable proportion of the variation in residual consumption is due to genetic causes (h2 = 0·3) and that selection to exploit this variation would result in an appreciable reduction in food costs. There were indications of considerable litter effects upon the trait.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 37 , Issue 3 , December 1983 , pp. 387 - 393
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1983

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References

REFERENCES

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