PIC now utilizes CBV™ (Crossbred Breeding Value) to calculate the breeding values of PIC boars. This innovative system adds additional information from the commercial level to the boar's own test performance and PICmarq® genotypes. This is achieved by measuring the performance of crossbred sibs, sired by the same Genetic Nucleus (GN) herd sires, raised and processed in commercial environments. Breeding values are then estimated for realized genetic potential in real world conditions using both purebred and crossbred data.
CBV™ targets commercial crossbred performance, or in other words, realized genetic potential at the farm and plant level. This means that PIC now selects its pure lines and parent boars based on how their progeny are expected to perform in commercial conditions, rather than on performance of lines in the pristine GN environment. This enables a more accurate ranking of the boars according to their commercially expressed genetic value.
Data from crossbred pigs raised in commercial farms is being added to the system on a daily basis, allowing for constant updating of PIC boar indexes. This program ensures that customers receive boars selected using up-to-date commercial crossbred information for greater potential than ever to realize the genetic improvements made by PIC in their own farms and processing plants. |
