Comparative Study of the Lifetime Productivity and Performance Characteristics of Meishan and Duroc Cross-bred Pigs

The objective of this study was to examine the potential of Meishan genotypes to improve production efficiency through increased reproductive performance and sow longevity. Sows of White composite, with either 1/4 Meishan, 1/4 Duroc or 1/8 Duroc were kept for up to six parities and reproductive performance and lifetime productivity of each sow breed was recorded. Progeny from these sows were analysed for growth and carcass characteristics. It was noted that Meishan genotype sows were more prolific (+1 pig/litter -1 ; P <0.05) and had greater longevity in the herd than either of the Duroc genotypes. The growth rate of slaughter pigs from 1/4 Meishan sows was slower than that of either 1/8 or 1/4 Duroc (893, 976 and 931 g day -1 , respectively; P <0.05) and they had poorer carcass lean content (56, 59 and 58%, respectively; P <0.05). The study would suggest that 1/4 Meishan sows may be useful for systems with low costs of production, small penalties for fat carcasses and where gilt replacement costs are high.