Research by Wageningen University & Research Centre has revealed that selective breeding in the sow line, too, is effective in reducing the risk of boar taint. In a paper researcher Pramod Mathur details the relationship between breeding to reduce boar taint and breeding for reproductive characteristics.
Boar taint can also be inherited via the sow line. The application of genetic selection in the sow line can therefore contribute to reducing the occurrence of boar taint. Pramod Mathur analysed enormous quantities of reproductive data from Landras and Yorkshire sow lines, and from Piëtrain boar lines. Mathur observed that boar taint occurred more often in the sow lines than in the boar lines studied. Breeding to reduce boar taint did not prove detrimental to most reproductive characteristics. The only exception occurring upon first insemination.
Optimum breeding strategy
The optimum breeding strategy combines breeding to reduce boar taint and breeding for economically valuable (re)productive characteristics. Boar taint can be reduced to less than 0.1% in 19 generations. The genetic progress of other economically valuable characteristics will however be 10% slower. This is compensated for by the improvement in economic yield as a result of, among other things, improved utilisation. In other words, breeding to reduce boar taint through the sow line is effective.
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