Comparison of one-quarter Chinese Meishan and three-breed conventional cross females for sow productivity, and growth and carcass characteristics of the progeny

The reproductive performance over five parities of two one-quarter Meishan female genotypes were compared with a three-breed cross female genotype bas ed on conventional breeds of pigs. Hampshire-sired progeny from these femal es were evaluated for growth performance and carcass measures. The female g enotypes evaluated were Landrace x (Meishan x Yorkshire) (LMeY) (n = 45), D uroc x (Meishan x Yorkshire) (DMeY) (n = 41), and Landrace x (Duroc x Yorks hire) (LDY) (n = 50), respectively. LMeY had a greater number of pigs born alive (11.1, 10.6, and 10.2, SE = 0.24 for LMeY, DMeY, and LDY, respectivel y, P < 0.05) and a higher total litter birth weight (20.02, 18.16, and 17.2 9, SE = 0.383 kg for LMeY, DMeY, and LDY, respectively, P < 0.001) than the other lines. Gestation length was reduced for the two Meishan-cross genoty pes (114.5, 114.3, and 114.9, SE = 0.18, for LMeY, DMeY and LDY, respective ly; P < 0.001). A shorter farrowing interval was observed for the LMeY (147 .1, 148.6 and 151.4, SE = 1.32 for LMeY, DMeY and LDY, respectively, P < 0. 05). Number of pigs weaned per litter was highest for LMeY line (10.7, 10.0 , and 9.4, SE = 0.22 for LMeY, DMeY and LDY, respectively; P < 0.05). No di fferences (P > 0.05) were observed between the Hampshire-sired progeny of t he three dam genotypes for growth performance, backfat thickness and loin e ye depth at 114 kg. These results indicate that the development of a female line with one-quarter Meishan may result in improved reproductive efficien cy compared to female lines based on western breeds.