Genesus Research and Development Summary

This summary provides a current synopsis of the significant Genesus research and development efforts by major topic area. Genesus continually invests in research and development as it is our belief that development and application of scientifically sound technology is the foundation of our genetic improvement programs.

Genesus research and development activities are a combination of projects carried out by external researchers (e.g. universities and government scientists) and our in-house team.

Genesus Genetics Team

First and foremost to our program are our people.Genesus has been very fortunate to have the dedicated contributions from all of our people. The Genetics Team is responsible for all aspects of the Genesus genetic improvement program, including research and development. Dr. Bob Kemp has led the Genesus genetics program since its inception and is also a shareholder in Genesus. The team members and their general areas of responsibility are:
- Bob Kemp, PhD P.Ag. – VP of Genetic Programs and R&D
- Pius Mwansa, PhD – Geneticist, Genetic evaluation systems and development
- Peter Simedrea, MSc – Geneticist, Technical support
- Robert McKay, PhD – Geneticist, Carcass and meat quality program
- Mark Lowerison, MSc – Geneticist, IT automation and statistical analysis
- Mike Brooks – IT systems and database development
- Susan Linto, BSc(Agr) – Genetics Coordinator and ultrasound technician
- Lambert Houwen – General Manager
- Clint Sigurdson – Head Selector and ultrasound technician

Carcass and Meat Quality

Carcass and Meat Quality Data Collection – Genesus has had a carcass and meat quality program since 1998. This program involves a weekly testing of terminal nucleus level pigs. The database contains approximately 10,000 individual carcass and meat quality records and is the key source of data for our weekly carcass and meat quality EBV and research.
Marbling and Intramuscular Fat Percentage – Genesus is just completing a genetic evaluation development for actual intramuscular fat percentage (IMF) based on chemical extraction of the fat from within the loin muscle. The Estimated Breeding Values for IMF will replace the subjective marbling scores currently used in our selection program.
Ultrasound Measurement of IMF – Genesus is implementing a new ultrasound technology for direct measurement of IMF on pigs at the end of the performance test. This measurement is taken on both boars and gilts at the same time as the fat and loin muscle depth at end or performance test.

Whole Genome Association Study – Genesus, in partnership with the University of Alberta has been awarded significant funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada to conduct a whole genome association study. This project will apply new genomic technologies, including Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNP) and incorporation of this information into genetic evaluation and improvement programs. The project will focus on whole genome association analysis for pork quality in both cross- and pure-bred populations.

Feed Efficiency

Grow-Finish Feed Intake and Efficiency – Genesus has utilised individual feed intake equipment for measurement of individual feed intake in group pens on terminal boars for several years. Our current database includes over 12 million individual feeding events. Current projects include development of EBVs for feed intake and efficiency and development of new testing methods.
Sow Feed Intake and Efficiency – Genesus is making a significant investment in a technology to automatically measure sow individual feed intake during lactation. This investment will involve our maternal lines and lead to an understanding of the role sow lactation feed intake plays in sow productivity and efficiency.

Sow Productivity and Longevity

Piglet Survival and Litter Size – Genesus has a project to look at alternative definitions of litter size that incorporate piglet survival during the first few days after farrowing. In addition to evaluating how good a job the sow does of keeping pigs alive during the first 24 hours (piglet survival as a trait of the sow) we are also evaluating how good a job the piglet does of staying alive (piglet survival as a trait of the piglet). Both factors are important in increasing the number of pigs weaned in addition to the actual total number of pigs born.
Sow Reproduction – Genesus has a project involving development of EBV for Age at First Farrowing and Wean to First Service Interval. Both of these traits are important in the reproductive capability of gilts to breed and conceive at an early age and for all females to cycle and rebreed as early as possible following weaning. Reproductive capability is a major component of sow productivity.
Sow Longevity – Genesus has a project to evaluate sow longevity. Alternative definitions of sow longevity will be investigated based on a detailed sow removal reasons. Additionally a combination of sow productivity and sow longevity (e.g. lifetime number of pigs weaned) will also be investigated as potential traits for selection for improved sow performance.

Health

PRRS Host Genetics Consortium – Genesus is a collaborator in this very important project known as the PRRS Host Genetics Consortium. This is a very large, multi-disciplinary project, aimed at understanding the role of host genetics in resistance to PRRS virus infection, and the effects of PRRS on pig health and growth. New genomic technologies play a lead role in this project. The project is led by Dr. Joan Lunney of ARS-USDA. Current funding is valued at more than $2.8 million US. Funders and collaborators include producer groups, breeding companies, federal government and university scientists. A recent update on the project is provided at http://www.prrs.org/progressreportsyearone.html.

Genetic Evaluation Methods

Genetic Parameter Estimation – An important component of a multiple trait genetic evaluation system is accurate and current genetic parameter (heritabilities and correlations) estimates. Genesus has recently completed estimation of these parameters for our growth / carcass and meat quality evaluation system. This project used all of our available data from both our ultrasound probe and carcass/meat quality databases. We have started a project to re-estimate existing parameters for our maternal evaluation system in addition to including new traits as mentioned above. These projects will provide more accurate EBVs that reflect the current Genesus nucleus populations.
Incorporating Genomic Information – Information resulting from genomic tools needs to be incorporated into current genetic evaluation programs to ensure its effective use. Genesus has a number of initiatives started that involve incorporation of genomic information into our genetic evaluation system.
Weight Adjustment Factors – Genesus is completing a project to re-evaluate our current weight adjustment factors for probe records. Our current performance testing system allows animals to be measured at different weights with the measurements being adjusted to a constant end of test weight. This project will re-evaluate our current adjustment factors by breed and sex of pig and look at which weight is optimal as the comparison weight for these measures.

Conformation and Leg Structure

Underlines – Genesus has started a project to evaluate underlines and collect teat number information. This project involves standardisation of measurement and scoring and will result in a genetic evaluation to produce EBV for key underline traits.
Leg Structure – Genesus is starting a project to develop a scoring system that is predictable and repeatable when used by different technicians. Many historical scoring systems have resulted in technician differences in scoring resulting in the major part of the variation in scores and thus are of little value for genetic improvement.

Selection Indexes

Economic model and economic value of traits – Genesus has a project to review and re-evaluate the key economically important traits based on customer’s commercial pork production. Economic/production models are used for this and will also be used to re-evaluate the relative economic value of each key trait (e.g. how much is an extra pig born alive worth relative to 1 less day to slaughter weight). These economically important traits and their relative economic values will then be used to drive the selection indexes used in the genetic improvement program.
Relationships Among Economically Important Traits and those Actually Measured on the Pig- Not all economically important traits can be measured on every pig or have an EBV calculated on them (e.g. disease resistance). The purpose of this project is to determine the relationships among the economically important traits and those that can be measured on a pig (e.g. growth rate, loin depth, number born, etc.). These relationships are key to the selection indexes that are used to do the actual selection of each individual pig in the Genesus system. These relationships and traits need to be updated and re-evaluated with regular frequency so that the selection indexes are the most meaningful to our customers.

The National Centre for Livestock and the Environment

Genesus is a proud supporter of the National Centre for Livestock and the Environment at the University of Manitoba (http://umanitoba.ca/afs/ncle/). This $15 million world-class facility is one of the few in the world devoted to livestock and the environment research and development. Genesus was chosen to provide pigs for this new facility and continues to support research at this important research centre through input and regular interaction with university staff. Two examples of important swine projects are:
- Dietary manipulation strategies to minimize excretion of nitrogen and phosphorus into manure while maintaining pig growth and health (Project leader: Martin Nyachoti)
- Identification of factors contributing to longevity of sows in the breeding herd, including animal welfare parameters (Project leader: Laurie Connor)

PigGen Canada

PigGen Canada is a new organization consisting of the main Canadian breeding companies and organizations with nucleus herds in Canada. Genesus is a founding member of PigGen Canada. The main goals of PigGen Canada are to represent the Canadian Swine Genetics industry with a single voice and to develop strategies and support for Canadian swine genetics research in concert with Canadian pork industry priorities. The research goal of PigGen Canada is key to the future of the Canadian swine genetics industry. PigGen Canada is playing a critical role in securing funding and setting research strategies. For example through its relationship with the Canadian Swine Health Board, PigGen Canada is fostering research funding and projects in the area of genetics of swine health. Genesus fully supports PigGen Canada as it is a key to future research funding and new developments in swine genetics in Canada.