Simulation-based evaluation of four scenarios for pig testing at a centraltest station

Computer simulations were used to compare the following four scenarios: cen tral station testing of two pigs fi om all first-parity litters, with all r emaining animals field tested (CTS); no central station testing, all animal s field tested (NOCTS); central station testing of two pigs from all first- parity litters, no held testing (CTSO); and a fourth scenario with conditio ns as in CTS, except that only 50% of the first litters were station tested (CTS5). The simulated population consisted of six herds of 100 sows each. Daily gain at test station, lean meat % at test station, osteochondrosis at test station, feed conversion at test station, daily gain in field test an d backfat thickness in field test were included in the multi-trait animal m odel breeding values. The average genetic gain from years 0-10 was 203, 171 , 130 and 194 SEK for the alternatives CTS, NOCTS, CTSO and CTS5, respectiv ely. The simulation showed that the test station still has an important fun ction in swine breeding programs.