The comparative performance of purebred and crossbred boars in commercial pig production

SUMMARY An investigation was undertaken to evaluate the crossbred boar per se, and also to assess the value of including the American Hampshire into a first-cross sire. Groups of three boars were placed on each of 20 farms. Each group contained a purebred white (Landrace or Large White), a crossbred white and a crossbred Hampshire boar. Co-operators were asked to obtain at least six litters by each boar, record their performance to weaning, and provide a sample of the progeny of each boar to be reared under standard conditions to slaughter at 90 kg live weight. Breeding of the boars did not affect either the level or variability of litter performance. Differences in performance and carcass traits between the progeny of purebred and whitecross boars were found only for ‘eye-muscle’ area and fat depth ‘C’. Pigs sired by Hampshire-cross boars had carcasses which were 2% shorter than those from white boars.