Pig genetics company Glenmarshal Sires has entered into a co-operation agreement with Danish Genetics and Roslin Technology. This is the first arrangement of its kind to be entered into between the newly established Danish company, and an Irish pig breeding operation.
Roslin Technologies, which oversees the Danish company’s breeding programme, is one of the world’s most innovative institutions within animal genetics.
The new agreement struck between Glenmarshal and its Danish counterpart is an exciting development for the Irish pig industry. It will enable Irish farmers, for the first time, to have access to the very best quality genetics available from Denmark, one of the world’s elite centres of pig breeding.
Fifty boars, classified as having the highest genetic merit for use in Ireland, were recently imported from Denmark by Glenmarshal and have just been released from isolation after completing their quarantine period and veterinary tests. Semen from these boars is now available for distribution throughout Ireland.
“These boars are animals of the highest genetic merit ever imported into Ireland from Denmark,” said Glenmarshal’s managing director Trevor Shields.
“The Duroc consignment is, on average, 20-35 index points higher than those standing in stud anywhere in the UK or Ireland while the Landrace and Large White boars are 20-30 index points higher.”
Danish research has confirmed that 8-11 index points represent one year’s genetic improvement.
Mr Shields added: “The boars recently imported from Denmark represent a genetic advantage of over three years when compared to existing Danish boars available in Ireland. Research carried out in 2017 confirmed that one year’s genetic gain is worth £1.74 or €2.00 per pig.”
