Lessons in Genetics from the Pork Industry
Pork producer uses accurate measurements to underscore genetic improvement of 78,000-sow farrow-to-finish operation.
DES MOINES, IOWA (June 23, 2021) — When Jim Pillen graduated from veterinary college, he went into practice and, with his father, started a 60-sow swine operation. The latter eventually grew into Pillen Family Farms (PFF), which now owns some 78,000 sows. Headquartered in Columbus, Neb., with multiple production locations in that state and South Dakota, PFF merchandizes nearly 2 million finished pigs annually. The Pillen family also owns DNA Genetics, North America’s second-largest pig genetics supplier.
Pillen talked about the integrated operations during the 2021 Beef Improvement Federation Research Symposium & Convention hosted June 22-25 in Des Moines, Iowa. He noted similarities between the pork and beef industries, including how demand for both is now driven by meat quality. Pillen also shared keys to genetic advancement that he believes are applicable to both species.
“You make genetic improvement over time by sticking to the fundamentals year after year after year,” stated Pillen.
Explaining how PFF conducts individual performance testing on 75,000 offspring per year and genotypes every animal, Pillen emphasized the importance of accurately measuring traits of importance to guide genetic selection. That requires using available technology when it makes sense to do so.
“Choose the best animals, get the best animals in production and replace them when better animals are available,” Pillen advised. “Measurements are the name of the game. There are no short cuts, so stay committed.”
According to Pillen, larger nucleus herd size enhances progress in genetic improvement. This is because more animals can be measured and the associated improvement in accuracy of breeding values, along with lower inbreeding and preservation of genetic variation over the long term. He explained that PFF maintains large populations of three nucleus lines: maternal lines utilizing Yorkshire and Landrace, and a Duroc terminal sire line. The objective is not to make a pig that fits every situation, but one that fits the core of PFF’s commercial customer base.
Pillen told how PFF had to reevaluate its own goals. While genetic progress resulted in more pigs born, more labor was required to tend sows and to get pigs weaned and moved through the system. A change of focus was needed.
“We didn’t need more pigs born; we needed to wean more of what we already had,” said Pillen, explaining how selection shifted to slightly smaller litter size from sows that didn’t need as much attention. Selection for birth weight and weaning weight of pigs improved preweaning and postweaning survival rates.
In closing, Pillen offered advice that’s useful for all seedstock producers, regardless of species: “Listen to the industry and remain humble. Keep it simple, but do what it takes and keep looking ahead to stay in front.”
Find more coverage of the 2021 BIF Symposium in the Newsroom and on the Awards page at www.bifconference.com.
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