Livestock
Swine
Across-Herd Genetic Evaluation of Swine
One way to improve performance in a herd is through selection of genetically superior animals, with the selection based on an estimate of the genetic merit of the animals. This publication includes the benefits of across...
The use of antimicrobials (substances that kill or inhibit microorganisms) in food animal production is one of the more controversial agricultural practices in the United States. The author of this 4-page PDF publication...
Application of Selection Concepts for Genetic Improvement
Explains the primary concepts of genetic improvement in swine and discusses the effect of applying selection concepts....
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused supply chain disruptions to nearly every commodity, including the swine industry. This has left many producers searching for alternative strategies to market their livestock and consumers...
Biosecurity and Hygiene in the semen collection process
The objectives of this video are to: 1) describe and demonstrate the process of semen collection from boar, and 2) describe and demonstrate the various methods which can be employed to improve hygiene during the collecti...
DNA Hair Sample Collection for 4-H Swine Enrollment
In this video, Dr. Kara Stewart demonstrates the proper technique for collecting a hair sample for 4-H Swine enrollment.
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Environmental Effects and Adjustment Factors
Discusses the role of environmental factors in swine production, outlining the importance of accounting for these effects when trying to evaluate herd performance based on genetic components. Additional Notes: Authors: R...
Discusses the importance of Estimated Breeding Values (EBV's) and Expected Progeny Differences (EPD's) in determining genetic merit of swine. ...
In estimating the genetic merit of an animal, breeders are trying to determine the animal's value as a parent, its breeding value. As breeders have been able to incorporate increasing amounts of information to assess an ...
Estrus Detection in Farm Animals
Estrus or "heat" is a period during the reproductive cycle when female animals become sexually receptive, signaling they are ready for mating. This publication provides information about the estrous cycles for various an...
Evaluation of sorting accuracy for market pigs: evaluating statistics
Pork processors have established marketing grids that discount the value of carcasses heavier or lighter than a specified weight range. To avoid these discounts, most commercial producers visually evaluate the body we...
Evaluation of sorting accuracy for market pigs: sorting errors
Pork producers should consider methods that result in more accurate sorting of market hogs to maximize their daily returns and to minimize the variation of carcass weight for the pork processor, four Purdue University...
Forage Field Guide, fourth edition
The new fourth edition of this guide contains 324 pages of information for forage and livestock producers and the agricultural industries that serve them. This new edition features updates and changes throughout, includi...
Forage Field Guide, fourth edition (25/box)
This is a box of 25 copies of our popular in-field reference. The fourth edition of this pocket-size, in-field reference provides information for forage and livestock producers and the agricultural industries that serve ...
Profitability of a pork production system relies on reducing the cost per unit of output that is achieved. There are opportunities to increase the profitability of the pork production system by genetic improvement of per...
Hoof Anatomy, Care and Management in Livestock
This publication discusses the complex hoof structure and the role that it plays in the overall health of an animal. A lame animal is not only in pain, but it is an extra expense that most producers cannot afford. This p...
Discusses the following: genetic and phenotypic effects, measurement of inbreeding, measurement of relationship, inbreeding depression in swine, effect of inbreeding in a seedstock herd, uses of inbreeding, and recommend...
Introduction to Swine Wean-to-Finish Facilities
Wean-to-finish technology combines the nursery and finishing stages of a hog production program. This slide show discusses the benefits and disadvantages, potential increase in performance, costs and equipment needed for...
Market Pigs with Tyson Foods Marketing Grid
Methods that result in more accurate sorting of market hogs can maximize pork producers' daily returns. This publication uses the Tyson Foods marketing grid to examine the process and suggest steps that producers migh...
Meat Processing Options for Small Farms - video
Purdue experts discuss what small farms need to consider about meat processing.
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Methods of Livestock Identification
Animal identification is the basis for keeping accurate production records of the herd/flock. This publication provides information about numbering systems and identification methods such as ear tagging, freeze branding,...
There is growing concern over a possible link between MRSA (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and livestock production. This publication answers several of the most common questions surrounding this issue. ...
Multiple Trait Selection for Pork Improvement
One of the most important decisions breeders make is choosing which traits to improve in their herds. Breeds must decide among numerous traits of economic importance and determine whether to improve performance a small a...
Opportunities for U.S. Pork in China and Implications for U.S. Hog Producers
This 4-page publication explains the future opportunities for U.S. hog producers and the steps they will have to take in order to meet the Chinese market's increasing demand for pork....
This publication covers parturition—the process of giving birth—in livestock. It covers the anatomy of the reproductive tract, fertilization and pregnancy, as well as specifi information related to each speci...
Performance Records and Their Use in Genetic Improvement
Discusses comparing techniques of animals for economically important traits to acquire accurate and complete performance records so that a high performance breed can be created. ...
Performance Records on Relatives
Provides information for performance records on a herd to estimate the genetic merit of a herd, allowing for a genetic improvement program....
Physiology of Heat Stress fact sheet
Two Purdue researchers describe how heat stress affects swine and how swine react to that stress. Includes tables for 1) thermal comfort ranges for pigs at various ages, and 2) production measures impacted by heat stress...
We call them pigs, swine, hogs and several other names. Regardless, their well-being is an important issue for consumers, the industry, and, of course, to the animals. In this publication, a Purdue University professo...
Pork Contracting Considerations
Vertical coordination in the pork industry will continue to increase for many reasons. Some producers with stronger balance sheets will be looking for risk management strategies that generate a stable (although probably ...
Post-Cervical Artificial Insemination in Sows
One of the first great biotechnologies in farm animals was artificial inseminatin (AI). Today AI has been widely adopted in the management of many farm species, especially dairy cattle and swine. Recently an interest in ...
Renegotiating Fixed-Price Hog Production Contracts
This publication discusses risk-sharing negotiations, arbitration and how to negotiate long-term contracts. ...
Selection Programs for Seedstock Producers
One goal for seedstock producers is to maximize genetic progress per year within their herds. This fact sheet ties together many concepts by providing recommendations for seedstock producers interested in setting up effe...
Swine Manure Management Planning
This publication concentrates on the timely application of manure nutrients to crops. It deals with the part of a Manure Management Plan that utilizes manure as fertilizer. A summary of manure handling options is inc...
Swine Wean-to-Finish Buildings
A wean-to-finish building is an all-in-one nursery, grower, and finishing building for swine production. These buildings are one of the newest ways that swine producers have devised to remain competitive in a increasin...
The Basics of Swine Wean-to-Finish Animal Care
This slide show serves as an introduction for wean-to-finish technology. The slide show covers nutrition management, ventilation, health and equipment needed for wean-to-finish facilities....
The Economic Impact of Genetic Improvement
Discusses how commercial herds can be improved by selection practices in seedstock populations, and outlines how such improvement affects the economic factors in swine production. Additional Notes: David McLaren from the...
The Influence of Dried Distillers' Grains on Carcass Fat in Swine
A 2-page publication explaining how DDGS in the diet affect the firmness of carcass fat in swine...
The National Swine Improvement Federation Guidelines for Ultrasonic Certification Programs
Ultrasonic measurement is a viable method to estimate backfat thickness and loin muscle area in the live pig. The National Swine Improvement Federation has implemented programs to standardize ultrasonic measurement for t...
The purpose of this video is to discuss, describe and demonstrate methods for pregnancy detection in sows and gilts using ultrasonography. This video outlines pregtone and real-time ultrasonography to assist producers...
Utilizing Central Boar Test Stations
Explains how central boar text stations can currently be used for genetic improvement. Also describes current limitations of the test station system and how they can be overcome through implementation of breeding value e...
Vomitoxin in Feed Wheat for Hogs
This one-page publication entitled, "Vomitoxin in Feed Wheat for Hogs" discusses vomitoxin and how it has caused the 1996 wheat crop to be diverted from human food to animal feed. Vomitoxin causes feed refusal and poo...
What to Expect When: Your Sow Is Expecting
Sows can show minimal signs of pregnancy until close to the time of farrowing. In this publication, part of the "What to Expect When" series, a Purdue University expert explains what owners of domestic and pot-bellied so...
Zearalenone Concerns in Reproducing Livestock
Mycotoxins in corn and other grains can reduce performance in both ruminants (cattle, sheep, goats) and non-ruminants (swine, poultry) and can have detrimental effects on both finishing animals and reproducing males and ...
