Advances in Pig Breeding and Reproduction

In recent years, there have been significant developments in the way that pigs are bred. This is primarily as a result of a shift in focus from production traits, such as meat quality, to other traits such as improved feed efficiency, reproductive performance and disease resistance. In light of this shift, a greater understanding of reproduction efficiency in pigs is required.

Advances in pig breeding and reproduction provides a comprehensive overview of the key research undertaken in these important areas and considers how reproduction efficiency can be optimised to achieve the desired breeding outcomes. The book also addresses recent advances in understanding how genetics can be engineered to breed pigs with an improved resistance to major diseases affecting pigs, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

• Provides a comprehensive assessment of the major developments in global pig breeding programmes
• Considers how genetics and breeding can be utilised to improve the sustainability and reduce the environmental impact of pork production
• Reviews the factors which can affect the reproductive efficiency of boars and sows, focussing on those that can impact semen quality and reproductive performance respectively

“Publication of a book about the advances in pig breeding and reproduction is very timely. The science in these fields is advancing rapidly with new information about genetic control of disease resistance, feed efficiency, and reproductive performance arriving in abundance. The author list includes scientists and researchers from many of the institutions at the forefront of science of sustainable pork production. This volume will be a valuable reference for anybody who is a serious student of the science of pigs.” (Professor David S. Buchanan, North Dakota State University, USA)

In recent years, there have been significant developments in the way that pigs are bred. This is primarily as a result of a shift in focus from production traits, such as meat quality, to other traits such as improved feed efficiency, reproductive performance and disease resistance. In light of this shift, a greater understanding of reproduction efficiency in pigs is required.

Advances in pig breeding and reproduction provides a comprehensive overview of the key research undertaken in these important areas and considers how reproduction efficiency can be optimised to achieve the desired breeding outcomes. The book also addresses recent advances in understanding how genetics can be engineered to breed pigs with an improved resistance to major diseases affecting pigs, such as porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus.

In its extensive exploration of the recent developments in pig breeding and reproduction, the book ensures its readers are fully equipped with the knowledge to implement breeding programmes which promote sustainability, whilst also optimising pig health and welfare.

Edited by a leading expert in the field of swine reproductive physiology, Advances in pig breeding and reproduction will be a standard reference for university and other researchers in swine and veterinary science, farmers, companies involved in pig breeding, as well as governments and other private sector agencies involved in supporting global pig production.

Dr Jason Ross is the Lloyd L. Anderson Endowed Professor in Physiology in the Department of Animal Science at Iowa State University, USA. In addition, Professor Ross is the Director of the Iowa Pork Industry Center, supporting one of the leading hog-producing states in the USA. Professor Ross is internationally-known for his research on swine reproductive physiology for which he has received a number of awards.