Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate a problem in pig farming by applying results of pigs’ growth modelling. The problem this study deals with is a large amount of variation in weight between animals within groups with growing-finishing pigs with strongly negative effect of slowly growing pigs on farm efficiency. The target is to find out a breeding scheme, which can eliminate the slowly growing phenotype from commercial farms. 
 
 This study was carried out by applying a mathematical model. The model is species-specific; it was built to analyse growth of pigs. In the study, the model has not been developed, it was published elsewhere. The model’s results are used to clarify some aspects of pigs’ growth under industrial conditions. The model implies that in the pig, there are three growth phenotypes that have distinct growth performances. In the study, a main theme is variation in weight between growth phenotypes in pigs. 
 
 The results of the study suggest that the slowly growing pigs have a certain growth phenotype. A method to identify the phenotype, and a breading scheme to eliminate the slowly growing phenotype from commercial farms are suggested.
Highlights
In industry, the growth performance of growing-finishing pigs strongly influences efficiency and productivity of commercial farms
In experiments, when pigs were brought to a common environment, the only differences were genotype, pre-weaning environment and health status and weight at entry, yet large variations in growth rate still occurred between pigs
When pigs were housed individually many of the commercial stressors were absent and large differences were still observed (Magowan et al, 2007)
Summary
The growth performance of growing-finishing pigs strongly influences efficiency and productivity of commercial farms. Variation in the growth rate of pigs starts from conception, with pigs of the same litter often varying considerably in birth weight. This variation in pig growth performance both within and between litters continues through their lifetime (Magowan et al, 2007). Many factors such as housing, environmental conditions, and feeding systems influence variation in weight in groups with pigs. Accounting for differences among pigs within a group is essential in precision farming, which can improve economic performance (Vautier et al, 2013). Feeding strategies need to be adjusted to cover the requirements of the most efficient animals (Saintilan et al, 2015)
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