Course code LauZ5145

Credit points 7.50

Pig Breeding

Total Hours in Course200

Number of hours for lectures40

Number of hours for seminars and practical classes40

Independent study hours120

Date of course confirmation12.02.2019

Responsible UnitInstitute of Animal Science

Course developer

author Dzīvnieku zinātņu institūts

Lilija Degola

Dr. agr.

Prior knowledge

LauZ5143, Biological Basis of Animal Husbandry

LauZ5163, Biochemical and Physiological Aspects of Animal Nutrition

Course abstract

The course of pig breeding is about pig selection methods in Latvia and its realization, pig quantitative and qualitative traits, possibilities and methods for its measurement and recording. Mother and father breeds, its role in pure breeding and hybridization. Breeding value estimation and performance examination. Breeding systems in swine breeding, its construction and realization. Pig keeping and feeding technologies.

Learning outcomes and their assessment

The course provides knowledge of breeding methods, mother and father breeding, breeding value and breeding programs, keeping and feeding scientifically based technologies. Successfully passed exam. Students will gain the skills about evaluation the breeding methods of pigs, to determine the breeding value of breeding pigs, to develop breeding programs and to implement them, to choose the best pig keeping and feeding technologies. Successfully completed practical works and seminars. Students will be competent to independently carry out research, in-depth analysis of scientific literature, publicly discuss and creatively work in pig breeding. Successfully passed exam

Course Content(Calendar)

1. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of pigs.
2. Methods of character evaluation. Evaluation of features. Practical works 4h.
3. Individual production capacity of pigs. Productivity evaluation. Practical works 4 h.
4. Sows reproduction rates. Sows reproduction analysis. Practical works 4h.
5. Characteristics of meat quality. Meat quality assessment. Practical works 4h.
6. Signs of body structure. Exterior assessment methods.
1rst seminar. Quantitative and qualitative characteristics of pigs, evaluation 4 h.
7. Pig feeding technologies. Pig feeding analysis. Practical works 4h.
8. Types of pig keeping.
9. Welfare of pigs.
2nd seminar. Scientific aspects of pig feeding and keeping 4 h.
10. Productive and reproductive characteristics of 'mother' pig breeds. Practical works 4 h.
11. The role of the large white Yorkshire pig breed in Latvian pig breeding.
12. Selection and use of the Landrace breed for the formation of mother forms.
13. Pigs 'father' breeds. Creation and use of terminal boars.
3rd seminar. Pigs'mother'and 'father' breeds. Creating and using pig breeds 4 h
14. Breeding methods and programs for pig farming.
15. Breeding value of pigs.
16. Experience of using breeding indices in other countries and its use in Latvia. The use of the BLUP method for the evaluation of breeding pigs.
4th seminar. Swine evaluation and selection 4h

Requirements for awarding credit points

Successfully did practical works and seminars, passed final exam.

Description of the organization and tasks of students’ independent work

The student independently studies popular and scientific literature about topics of seminars, prepared presentations for seminars.

Criteria for Evaluating Learning Outcomes

Student can get a successful mark on the exam if at least 50% of the questions are answered correctly. The practical work performed is evaluated according to the evaluation procedure specified in the practical task. Without the successful completion of practical works and seminars, student cannot take a exam.

Compulsory reading

1. Bērziņa Z., Kairiša D., Laurs A., Priekulis J., Štrausa S.,Veģe A. Liellopu un cūku mītnes: tehnoloģija un aprīkošana. Jelgava, 2003. 198 lpp.
2.Whittemore C.T., Kyriazakis I. Whittemore's science and practice of pig production. 3rd. edition. Blackwell Publishing Ltd, U.K., 2006. 659 p.
3. Vernon P.R., Forwel R., Baxter S, Smith B. The Growing and Finishing Pig: Improwing Efficiency. United Kingdom: Farming Press, 1996. ,273 p , 1.eks. Dzīvnieku zinātņu institūtā
4. Cole D.J.A., Wiseman J., Varley M.A. Principles of Pig Science. Nottingham University Press. London, 1994. 472 p
5. NRC. Nutrient requirements of swine. 11th rev.ed. The National Academies Press, Washington, 2012. D.C.,400 pp., https://www.nap.edu/catalog/13298/nutrient-requirements-of-swine-eleventh-revised-edition

Further reading

1. Latvietis J. Lopbarība. SIA Latvijas Lauku konsultāciju un izglītības centrs. Ozolnieki, ISBN 978-9984-48-096-1, 2013. 308. Lpp.
2. World Review of Animal Production. World Association for Animal Production ISSN: 0043-8979.
3. Livestock Production Science Published/Hosted by Elsevier Science. ISSN: 0301-6226. 3. Pig International Published by Watt Publishing Company. ISSN: 0191-8834.
4. Ciltsdarba programma Latvijā audzētajām cūku šķirnēm.

Periodicals and other sources

1. Populārzinātnisks žurnāls “Saimnieks”. Rīga : TEE BIO, 2004- ISSN 1691-1598. 2. Populārzinātnisks žurnāls “Agrotops” AgroTops. Rīga: Aģentūra Agro apgāds. ISSN 1407-5164. 3. Agronomy research, žurnāls, [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 10.02.2019.]. Pieejams http://agronomy.emu.ee/ 4. Science Direct database. [Online] [viewed 14.02.2019.]. https://www.sciencedirect.com 5. Zinātniski praktiskās konferences "Līdzsvarota lauksaimniecība" raksti. [tiešsaiste] [skatīts 14.02.2019.]. http://llufb.llu.lv

Notes

Study course for Master study programme “Agriculture” specialization on Animal husbandry