Abstract
Abstract Feed cost accounts for two-thirds of the total cost in producing pork. The principle in reducing feed costs, without sacrificing pork output, is improving feed efficiency. To date, the two traits commonly associated with improving feed efficiency are growth and feed intake; however the impact they have on maintenance levels is unclear. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine activity and behavior patterns of progeny using NUtrack from sires with different EBV combinations for growth and feed intake. A total of 175 pigs from four different sire groups (DNA Genetics Line 600; High Growth/High Feed Intake, HGHI; High Growth/Low Feed Intake, HGLI; Low Growth/High Feed Intake, LGHI; and Low Growth/Low Feed Intake, LGLI) were utilized at the UNL ENREC swine farm. Finisher pens were blocked by sire group and sex. Finisher exit weights were collected after 85 days, along with loin-eye area (LEA) and backfat (BF). NUtrack algorithms allowed for individual identification of pigs in a group housing setting to track daily activity behaviors including distance traveled (DIST) and time lying (LIE). Estimated marginal means were processed through RStudio. HIHG pigs traveled less DIST than those sired by LILG, HILG, and LIHG (P < 0.05; 929 vs. 1,066, 990, and 984m, respectively). The HIHG pigs had greater LIE time than LIHG and LILG pigs (P < 0.05; 1,119 vs. 1,188 and 1,175min, respectively). LILG pigs had greater LEA compared with HIHG, HILG, and LIHG sired pigs (P < 0.05; 52.85 vs. 49.39, 49.97, and 51.05cm2, respectively). The LILG pigs had less BF compared with HIHG, HILG, and LIHG sired pigs (P < 0.05; 1.42 vs. 1.48, 1.46, and 1.50cm, respectively). These results suggest that pigs from boars with high EBVs for growth travel less, spend more time lying and yield a fatter carcass.
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