Recent state of breeding value estimation in pig

An overview of the state of art in applying multitrait animal models in pig breeding in different European states (Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Slovakia, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, federal states Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia and Saxony of Germany) and Canada is given. Traits and models used for genetic evaluation differ considerably between states. A typical example for differently defined traits is the proportion of lean meat in carcass, which is calculated from different measures and/or carcass parts and makes a comparison among states very difficult. Seasons range from one to six months in length and are used in different combinations with the effects year and herd in the models. In all states repeatability models are used for reproduction traits, in Czech Republic and Slovakia the first litter is considered as a separate trait. A random litter effect is included nearly in all states in production trait models, similarly the random permanent sow effect is an essential part of reproduction trait models. In most states production and reproduction traits are evaluated separately, in Czech Republic and Slovakia they are evaluated jointly in one run. The number of traits included in the total breeding value ranges from 2 to 7, where separate total breeding values for production traits and for reproduction traits are often defined.