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It is expected that it will be possible to breed commercial lines of pigs that are much lower in boar taint, have increased feed efficiency and lean meat yield.
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Description: The University of Guelph is actively developing a genetic tool kit that will be useful in breeding entire male pigs that are low in androstenone and skatole, the main components of boar taint. By providing this tool-kit to pig breeders, it is expected that it will be possible to breed commercial lines of pigs that are much lower in boar taint, have increased feed efficiency and lean meat yield, and proactively meet the challenges presented by increased opposition to the use of castration as a means to control taint. Advantages: • Use of marker assisted genetic selection can result in entire male pigs that are low in taint • Solution to the increasing opposition to castration of piglets • Entire boars have increased feed efficiency, higher lean meat yield, faster growth rates and produce less waste than castrates • Genetic selection is the most acceptable and feasible method to reduce taint from an animal welfare perspective Potential Markets: • Swine breeding and genetics • Swine farming and production