Large White Yorkshire Pigs Research Articles

Seminal attributes and sperm morphology of Agonda Goan pigs

Study of local breeds and their inclusion in breeding programme is essential owing to their higher disease resistance and adoptability to stresses. Agonda Goan, a local pig breed found in Goa, India, is preferred due to its suitability in acclimatization, less feed requirement and capacity to utilize locally available fibrous feeds. Seminal attributes namely, semen volume, sperm concentrations per millilitre and total sperms per ejaculate and the sperm morphology in Agonda Goan pigs was studied. Average semen volume was 87.31 ml and total sperms per ejaculate were 10.79 × 109 which were less as compared to mean semen volume (204.00 ml) and total sperms per ejaculate (111.63 × 109) in Large White Yorkshire pigs. Mean head area and mean sperm length of the Agonda Goan pig were less than that of sperms of Large White Yorkshire. These observations add to the scientific knowledge as this demonstrates differences in sperm size between boars of different breeds.

Pre-weaning body weights of Large White Yorkshire (50%) pig crosses over generations

Data on body weight of Large White Yorkshire (50%) crosses (n=590) were recorded at weekly intervals from birth to weaning (8 weeks) for five filial generations and were and analysed by least-squares method. The overall mean birth weight was 1.03 ± 0.01 kg. The birth weight gained significantly (Pns and at F4, the respective values were 3.06 ± 0.06, 5.00 ± 0.10, 7.26 ± 0.14 and 9.61 ± 0.19 kg. The effect of sex was not found as a significant source of variation on the body weights from birth to weaning. The heritability and genetic correlations found out by sib-analyses for the pre-weaning body weights revealed that the estimates were positive and moderate to high, showing the presence of sufficient genetic variation and favourable associations for these body weights and suggestive of better scope for improvement through selective breeding.

Effect of dried tuna waste silage on blood biochemical profile in large white yorkshire pigs

An investigation was carried out for a period of 104 days on thirty six weaned Large White Yorkshire piglets to find out the effect of dietary incorporation of dried tuna waste silage on blood biochemical parameters. Dried tuna waste silage was used to replace dried fish on protein basis at 0, 50 and 100 per cent, in isocaloric and isonitrogenous grower and finisher rations as dietary treatments T 1 , T 2 and T 3 , respectively. All the animals were maintained on their respective dietary regimen from weaning to an average slaughter weight of 70 kg. Blood samples were collected at the beginning and end of the experiment and analysed for different blood parameters. Plasma mineral concentration of Ca, P, Mg, Mn and Zn were similar while the plasma Cu concentration of pigs maintained under rations T 2 and T 3 were significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of T 1 . Total protein and blood urea nitrogen of pigs maintained under the three dietary treatments were similar.

Farming practices and genetic characterization of Nicobari pig, an indigenous pig germplasm of Nicobar group of islands, India

The Nicobari pig, locally known as Ha-un, is an indigenous pig germplasm located only in the Nicobar group of islands, India. The present study documents the Nicobari pig-rearing practices of the tribal farmers and genetically characterizes them using 23 FAO-recommended microsatellite markers. The study was conducted over a period of 3 years (2010-2012) in Car Nicobar, India. A total of 225 farmers were surveyed (15 farmers per village of 15 villages). Information on herd statistics, husbandry practices, and constraints faced by the farmers in pig production were collected. The pigs were reared in a free-range system. Mean pig herd size per house hold was 8.9, and main feed for pigs was coconut and some indigenous feed materials such as pandanus, bread fruit, and Nicobari alu. The main constraints faced by the farmers were lack of feed after the tsunami, different disease conditions, piglet mortality, and predator attack. The Nicobari pigs were genotyped by 23 FAO-recommended microsatellite markers. The mean observed number of alleles for all 23 loci in Nicobari pigs was 6.96 ± 0.31. The mean observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.66 ± 0.02 and 0.75 ± 0.01, respectively. It was found that the genetic diversity of this pig breed was very high compared to Large White Yorkshire and other European pig breeds. This genetic characterization of the pig breed will be helpful in their conservation effort.

Effect of inclusion of Azolla pinnata on the haematological and carcass characteristics of crossbred large white yorkshire pigs

Aim: To study the haematological and carcass parameters of pigs fed with Azolla based rations. Materials and Methods: An experiment was done for 120 days using 18 crossbred Large White Yorkshire pigs fed with diets containing Azolla as protein replacement at 0, 10 and 20 percent, respectively. The mean haematological parameters of the three experimental groups were studied before start of an experiment, and during the grower phase and finisher phase. Two pigs from each group were slaughtered after 120 days of experimental feeding to study the carcass parameters. Results: Haematological parameters like PCV, Hb, RBC, WBC, MCV, MCH, MCHC were studied and found that there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences between means of the three groups except for MCV and MCH during growing phase. There was no significant difference among the pigs fed different rations for the various carcass characteristics. A higher dressing percentage was observed in T3 pigs (83.45 percent) followed by T2 pigs (81.37 percent) and T1 pigs (81.18 percent). It was noticed that there was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the means of fat percentage and it was observed that fat percentage was higher in T1 (2.11) followed by T2 (2.04) and T3 (1.27). Conclusion: Sun dried Azolla inclusion upto 20 percent in the diets did not appear to affect the haematological and carcass parameters of pigs. Further it was observed that, inclusion of Azolla in the diets of swine helped to obtain higher dressing percentage and pork with less fat percentage when compared to that of pigs fed with conventional concentrates.

Varying dietary levels of wheat pollard and wheat bran in growing pigs: effect on growth and carcass traits

To study the effect of increasing levels of wheat pollard as a replacement for wheat bran on growth and carcass characteristics of growing pigs, 64 crossbred (Landrace × Large white Yorkshire) pigs were fed with diets in which wheat pollard was added back to wheat bran in ratios of 15, 30, 45 and 60%. The pigs were divided into groups of four, balanced for sex, ancestry and body weight. They were then allotted to the dietary treatments in a completely randomised design with four replications. The trial lasted 4months and data were collected on feed intake and weight gain. A digestibility trial was carried out on eight male pigs per treatment during the growth period. At the end of the growth period, two pigs per replicate in each treatment (n = 32) were slaughtered for determination of carcass characteristics. There were significant differences in the rate of gain and efficiency of feed utilisation among treatments. Diet significantly affected weights of the liver, lungs and small intestine (P < 0.05). The availability of nutrients was not a limiting factor for the growing pigs and that substituting wheat bran by wheat pollard at 60% improved the pig's average daily gain and feed efficiency.

Influence of probiotic supplementation on the growth performance of Large White Yorkshire pigs

Influence of probiotic supplementation on the growth performance of Large White Yorkshire pigs

Mineral profiling of local pig-feeds and pigs reared under resource driven production system to reduce porcine mineral deficiency in subtropical hill ecosystem of Northeastern India

The present study assessed the mineral status of pigs fed with local feed resources. The commonly used plants for feeding pigs and blood serum samples from Hampshire, Large White Yorkshire and indigenous pigs were analyzed for total protein, albumin and cholesterol levels. Processed plant and serum samples were also analyzed for calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, potassium, copper, cobalt, manganese, iron and zinc. The incidence and extent of mineral deficiency in pigs was quantified. No significant difference was observed in total protein and albumin levels between any two breed/types of pigs, however the Indigenous pigs showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher cholesterol level compared to other two breeds. Among different plants, Spilanthus sp had majority of macro and micro nutrients in high levels. Regarding incidence of mineral deficiency in pigs, it was observed that 90, 67.1, 61.4, 48.6, 95.7% of the pigs were deficient in calcium, phosphorus, sodium, magnesium and potassium. An interesting finding was that all the pigs (100%) utilized in the study were deficient in zinc. From this study, it was inferred that there are good numbers of potential source of mineral that might be used more economically to improve the mineral availability to pigs.

Assessment of early sexual maturity in nondescript local pigs of northeast India: Testicular development, spermiogram and in vivo pregnancy

The tribal population of North Eastern India follow a unique practice of mating the sow with a male pig from its own litter to avoid maintenance of boar for breeding. In this system, it is claimed that the nondescript local male pigs, at very young age (around 3 months), impregnate the sow. There is no documented report available on this practice. The present study, therefore, was carried out to study the testicular development and early sexual maturity in nondescript local pigs and to compare with Hampshire and Large White Yorkshire (LWY) pigs. The weight and circumference of the testes were significantly ( p < 0.05) higher in nondescript local pigs compared to Hampshire and LWY pigs, but the testicular length did not differ significantly. The epididymis weight and length of different segments also did not differ significantly between Hampshire and LWY pigs. However, the nondescript local pigs had significantly heavier ( p < 0.05) epididymal weights at four and six months of age relative to the other two breeds. The testicular tissue per kg body weight was significantly higher ( p < 0.05) in nondescript local pigs than the Hampshire and LWY pigs. The progressive motility of cauda epididymal sperm was 30.5 ± 5.6 and 70.5 ± 4.8% at two and three months of age, respectively while the corresponding live percent were 57.9 ± 7.2 and 82.6 ± 6.4 in nondescript local pigs. The nondescript local male pigs could mate and impregnate the females as early as 108.8 ± 8.0 days of age. It was inferred that the testicular growth was faster in nondescript local pigs compared to Hampshire and LWY pigs and the nondescript local male pigs have the capacity to mate and impregnate sows at 3–4 months of age.

Performance of pigs reared under traditional tribal low input production system and chemical composition of non-conventional tropical plants used as pig feed

Abstract The present study was carried out to document the pig rearing practices followed by the tribal farmers, to analyze the proximate composition of commonly used non-conventional feed stuffs and to study the growth performance of pigs under low input traditional pig production system. The study was conducted over a period of two and half years (2003–2005) in Mizoram, a hilly tribal state of North Eastern India. A total number of 320 farmers were surveyed all over the state (40 farmers per district in eight districts). The non-conventional pig feed materials/plants were collected, identified and evaluated for proximate composition. Besides this, a total number of 200 home made cooked ready to serve pig feed samples were collected from all over the state and analyzed for proximate composition. The average dry matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract, total ash and nitrogen free extract content of ready to serve pig feed were 14.80 ± 2.79, 6.66 ± 2.14, 31.65 ± 8.09, 4.71 ± 1.99, 6.89 ± 2.27 and 50.17 ± 5.86, respectively. Eight male and seven female piglets of each Hampshire, Large White Yorkshire (LWY) and Nondescript local pigs, reared by 15 different farmers were selected randomly to assess the growth performance under low input production system. There was significant (p