PRODUCTION PERFORMANCES OF CROSSBRED PIGS IN GOVERNMENT FARMS

Abstract

This study was carried out with the objective to evaluate and compare production performances of crossbred pigs between two government multiplier farms at Lingmethang and Serbithang, falling under two different regions. A total of 735 numbers of farrowing data were analyzed from the Elite herd database, maintained by these farms for a period of 5 years from July 2006 to June 2011. The pig breeds under study were Large Black (LB), Saddleback (SB) and Hampshire (H). The study parameters were litter weight at birth, piglet weight at weaning, age at first service, weaning to service interval, farrowing interval, litter sizes at birth and litter size at weaning. Two-sample t-test was conducted. The mean litter weights at birth in LB, SB and H crossbred pigs were greater in Lingmethang farm. The weaning weight, mean weaning age, mean age at first service, mean litter size at birth, and litter size at weaning of all three breeds were also greater in Lingmethang farm. Lingmethang farm had a shorter mean weaning to service interval for all breeds. The study concluded that reproduction and production parameters of crossbred pigs raised at Lingmethang farm are better than those raised at Serbithang farm. Based on performance record, the SB crossbred pigs could be a better breed for warm places. Similarly, LB and H performed better in cold places and could be suitable for temperate environment.