JSR Genetics is celebrating a decade of partnership with Topigs Norsvin, the Dutch genetics company, who have been driving innovation in sustainable pork production for over a century.
Since joining forces in 2016, Nigel Pritchard, commercial group production manager at JSR Genetics, said the partnership has delivered significant advances in pig performance, efficiency and productivity for producers across the UK.
Mr Pritchard said: “The rate of genetic progress over the last 10 years has been remarkable. Thanks to advances in genomics, we’ve achieved more in the last decade than in the previous 40 years.
“Born-alive numbers have increased, pre-weaning mortality has reduced and more than 80% of TN70 sows now have over 16 functional teats.”
Mr Pritchard said that one of the most notable developments has been the performance of the TN70 sow.
“Producers consistently tell me how easy the TN70 is to manage,” he said. “She has a calm and quiet nature and is an excellent mother with outstanding milking ability, which contributes significantly to piglet performance.”
“The benefits are equally evident in outdoor systems, where genetic improvement, alongside management developments such as ad-lib feeding and single-paddock farrowing, has helped narrow the performance gap between outdoor and indoor. Many farms have told us that since switching to the TN70, they are now achieving in excess of 10% more piglets weaned.”
JSR Genetics commercial herds run a 2,000 batch all-in-all-out system.
Due to the increased numbers weaned per sow, JSR Genetics has been able to reduce the number of farrowings and herd sizes to achieve the same output.
“It is also worth noting that this is all done without the use of foster sows or milk cups,” Mr Pritchard said. “This is huge in terms of efficiency and sustainability, with genetic improvement only set to keep advancing.”
He said the TN Tempo sireline is also delivering impressive results. He added that the progeny of the TN70 and TN Tempo are robust and easy to manage in the farrowing, nurseries and finishing units.
Historical production systems within JSR Genetics weaned weekly at 24 days, with an average weaned litter weight of 80kg. Since moving onto a two-week batch system and with the current genetics, we are now weaning at 33 days with a consistent average piglet weight of 10kg-plus and weaned litter weight of in excess of 150kg.
“This ensures pigs are stronger and more robust as they move into the nursery units,” Mr Pritchard said. “Pigs are feed efficient with good growth, but also easy to manage and our customers report how pleased they are with their results.”
Latest results from JSR Genetics’ commercial herd (based on 56,714 pigs sold)
- Deadweight carcase: 100.4Kg
- Weaning to slaughter FCR: 2.36
- Growth rate weaning to finish: 890g per day.
For Mr Pritchard, the clearest measure of success is overall output.
“Ten years ago, our herds were producing around two tonnes of pigmeat per sow per year,” he said.
“Today, that figure exceeds three tonnes. While slaughter weights have increased, the genetics have ensured pigs remain lean enough to meet current contract specifications.
“The improvements we’ve seen over the last decade would once have seemed impossible. It makes you wonder what can be achieved in the next 10 years.”
