Analysis of the random distribution of station-tested pigs based on their genetic merit

Abstract

The analysis was conducted on the national database of the station tests carried out between May 1996 and February 2001, using the Hungarian Large White (LW) and Hungarian Landrace (LR) breeds, and the A-line of the Ka-Hyb hybrid (MLW). Days of test, total amount of feed consumed and valuable cuts were taken into the analysis to test the random distribution of the animals' phenotypic measurements and predicted breeding values across the contemporary groups of origin. The phenotypic measurements of all traits were clearly positively associated with the herds of origin (b = 0.52-1.08). Animals with favourable phenotypic measurements originated from better herds. On the contrary, the predicted breeding values seemed to be independent of the herd effects (b= -0.16-0.08) and suggested a possible random distribution across the contemporary groups.