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July 2006 Herdsire Issue
Putting pedigrees to use
by Ralph Doak
Yes, I complain about fuel costs and insurance-policy premiums that are too expensive. I moan about the weather and tell you when my favorite sports team isn’t winning as much as it should.
But, sometimes I do think about how lucky we all are to be involved in breeding and raising good livestock. This industry lets us prove or disprove our opinions of raising hogs. It lets us have different goals and directions.
Some breeders raise hogs for commercial units. They use purebred genetics so commercial producers can generate pork in an efficient and profitable way. The pedigree, along with performance data, takes the guesswork out of the commercial stock they sell.
Then, some breeders raise purebred hogs for niche markets. Their hogs excel in certain areas, and they sell products from these hogs at a premium. The extra quality justifies a higher price. The pedigree tells these breeders which genetics work the best in their niche.
A majority of breeders raise hogs for the showpig industry. They don’t have large sow herds. They either raise showpigs to sell to juniors or the seedstock to produce showpigs. These breeders want their showpigs to be the best that they can be at any competition.
In this situation, the pedigree lets them keep track of genetic progress. It tells them what bloodlines will generate what is demanded in the show ring.
These groups are different in their goals, but they have two things in common. They want to produce the best animal, and they use the pedigree to know what works in their situation.
Yes, they need to know the pedigree. It is the vital information that has to be correct to make progress. The first two groups of people don’t make pedigree errors. The pedigree is their livelihood.
I hope I can say as much for the third group. We can use DNA to verify that the sire and dam are right. But, the farrowing date must also be correct. If a pig is born Jan. 10, that is what the pedigree should say. Not some other date, like Feb. 1, because it will work better at a show or sale.
I cannot speak for the entire NSR staff, but I don’t want to be the pig policeman. Pigs can only gain so fast and be so big. An 85-day-old pig that gains 1.2 lbs. a day from birth can only weigh 102 lbs. Not many can even gain 1.2 lbs. per day. I hope I never see this ridiculous falsification. Purebred breeders don’t need wrongdoers in the group.
Purebred enthusiasts have seen many positives in the last year. With judges selecting bigger-boned, sounder hogs, we will start to see more problem-free sows that last longer and milk better. It will be nice to have Yorkshire sows raising more, rather than fewer, pigs with a correct maturity pattern.
You’ll see many of these positive improvements at the summer shows. With the good gilts sold this spring, it would be worth everyone’s time to stand ringside in Louisville, Ky., to view this next great generation. If each year these hogs get a little better, we can all feel proud of our accomplishments.
If you want to share your next generation by holding a new sale or continuing an established sale, here are some points to consider. First, contact your auctioneer and check his availability. Next, call an NSR field representative to discuss what dates look the best. Then, call the fairgrounds. Talk with the field rep and auctioneer about who to hire as ringmen. Then, call and hire them.
Make sure you create an advertising plan next. Determine where you’ll advertise and how much you’ll invest. Also think about what ads work the best. Remember, the first few years, you need to over promote your sale.
Your field rep and the Seedstock EDGE staff can help with your advertising schedule. Keep in mind: The right ad doesn’t cost money – it makes money.
If you are holding a new prospect-pig sale in 2007, now is the time to make your calls and start planning.
The last year was a good ride and this one will only get better. I’ve enjoyed working with all of you. Oh, by the way, I am not looking for a “place to dine.”
Take care of those hogs. I’ll see you at the hog show this summer.
