USING THREE BREEDS (TERMINAL CROSS) “The commercial pig producer must decide where to buy his breeding stock and what his replacement rate per year will be. The latter is necessary in order to maintain the most efficient age structure in the herd. The advantage of this system lies in its simplicity. The F1 gilts benefit from the fact that they are hybrid and as a rule outperform purebreds particularly with regard to maternal traits. The introduction of a third pig breed and terminal sire line in this breeding programme enhances the further exploitation of heterosis. This breeding plan is most commonly practiced in South Africa and probably worldwide. However from a practical point of view the following aspects require consideration: • The need to budget well and accurately in order to receive and pay for the supply of replacement stock at regular intervals. • The introduction of breeding stock from outside increases the health risk in the herd and could also lead to additional problems. Special attention should be paid to bio-security and health. In essence the genetic supplier provides the ingredients (F1 - gilts and terminal semen), the management and nutritional guidelines, protocols and back-up service, and the commercial producer follows the recipe to produce lean pork meat.” Excerpt: Modern Pig Production

Large White Pig Breed in South Africa

Landrace Pig Breed in South Africa

Duroc Pig Breed in South Africa

• “The Duroc pig breed produces meat of a higher quality than most of the other pig breeds. • Durocs pigs are known to be a superior genetic source for improving eating qualities of pork. • Their advantage in muscle quality combined with their well-established ability to grow fast, have positioned the Duroc pig breed as an outstanding terminal sire of choice. • Because of the marbling or intramuscular fat, the meat has more taste and is more tender. • The Japanese and Asian markets have for many years put a high premium on the quality of Duroc meat. • The meat is slightly darker in colour and has a slightly higher pH. • The back fat is marginally higher as well. • Pork with 50% or more Duroc genes in the end product, is regarded as an excellent meat for the production of bacon. • Also, because of its versatility, its use in fresh meat production is proving to be extremely popular - from bacon and salami to sausage and fine cuisine. • The Duroc’s drip loss and cook loss is low when compared to commodity genetics. • Many European countries have tried other rare breeds but these animals did not have the same effect on meat quality. • Moreover, the carcass of the Duroc pig breed yields a higher amount of consumable protein.” - Mr Hennie Cronjé / Excerpt - FootPrints of Alliance Genetics South Africa / Volume 2

• The South African Landrace pig breed, as their counterparts in other continents of the world, is also renowned as a foundation mother pig breed. • With high fertility rates the South African Landrace pig breed can produce these days easily up to 18 - 21 piglets born alive, per litter. • The South African Landrace sows are renowned for their femininity, docility, milkability and mothering ability. • This pig breed (South African Landrace pig breed) is moderate performers in terms of production and growth rates. • They (South African Landrace pig breed) are capable of producing consistent large litters over their lifetime - sometimes up to 10 - 12 litters.

• The Large White pig breed, originating in England, with a sturdy balanced and appealing appearance, has developed into the most prominent purebred pig breed in South Africa and is also the leading pig breed in the world. • The Yorkshire breeds in the USA and Canada as well as the Chester White pig breed are all desendants of the original Large White pig breed. • The Large White pig breed is regarded as the ultimate dual purpose animal, but is also the other foundation pig breed for the production of the classical F1-crossbred sow. • They (the Large White pig breed) produce large healthy litters, are good and protective mothers and produce offspring with great performance in terms of growth rate and feed efficiency. • The Large White pig breed can, just as the Landrace pig breed, produce up to 18 - 20 piglets born alive, per litter.