Correspondence between phenotype tests of boars and progeny evaluations made on boars and barrows

Abstract

Fifteen boars tested at the experimental station were evaluated on the basis of 120 boars and 120 barrows from their progeny, one boar and one barrow being taken from each of their litters. Compared with the barrows, the boars of the progeny had a higher growth rate (P < 0.01), were meatier (P < 0.001), had less fat (P < 0.001) and were longer (P < 0.001). Significant phenotypic correlations existed between the ultrasonic fat measurements of the sires and the results of the lean cuts analysis of the most valuable parts of the boar and barrow carcasses (P < 0.05 P < 0.001). The corresponding correlations with the values of the progeny boars and barrows were equally high. The growth rate of the sires was significantly correlated with the growth rate of the progeny boars. The animals were ranked and divided into three groups, the sires on the basis of their average fat measurements, and the boars and barrows from their progeny on the basis of the results of the lean cuts analysis of the carcasses. In the best and poorest groups distinguished by these different methods of evaluation, 40—BO % of the sires were the same. The correspondence in the middle groups and in groupings made according to growth rate was smaller than in the groups mentioned above.