Dr Walling opened his presentation by citing the examples of BSE/CJD and bird flu mentioned in previous conferences. "Sensationalism is destroying science," he said.

Comparing performance of pigs in the 1960s - when JSR was founded - with the top-performing hers today, he highlighted the tremendous changes in pig breeding since JSR was founded in 1958.

Past Improvements

These past improvements are the result of great strides in genetic improvement, which have been cumulative, permanent and sustainable. Dr Walling showed examples of the steady rise over the years in the number of piglets born alive (Genepacker 90) as well as the growth rate and lean meat percentage of the slaughter pig.

Crossbreeding has also helped boost performance, i.e. heterosis, by combining breeds with desirable characteristics. The largest benefits are achieved in reproduction but there have also been benefits to growth and disease resistance.

Thirdly, as an example of improving technology, Dr Walling showed how the move from Meritronics to the Aloka scanner and then CT scanning has progressively raised the accuracy of predicting carcass composition.

Future Progress and Barriers

Table 2 demonstrates that in most parameters, JSR's best herds currently achieve levels above those predicted for 2050. These will be achieved by more farms with modern conditions and facilities and a strong commitment to training staff.

New Technologies

As an example of technology that will improve reproduction, Dr Walling cited the development of deep intra-uterine catheters. These require lower semen doses, fewer boars and they offer the possibility of sexing semen - a great advantage for gilt multipliers and to avoid boar taint. AI triggers the sow's immune response, which is controlled by components in the seminal fluid in natural mating. With AI, the dilution of the semen lessens the natural suppression of the immune response but this can be overcome by administering a pessary. This improves farrowing rate and numbers born alive. The same technique also opens the possibility of trans-vaginal embryo transfer.

Genomics allows breeders to address new traits without genetic modification. There is a new method of DNA collection, which allows a drop of blood to be put onto a card and stored at room temperature. This technique could be used to help reduce boar taint and improve disease resistance and meat eating quality. The cost - at £120 per animal - is currently prohibitive on a large scale.

The new technology highlights an inherent problem: costs are incurred at the start of the production chain but the income benefits are received at the other end. However, there are examples in the UK of supply chain agreements that help redress the balance.

Future Opportunities and Threats

* "For most traits, improving the environment to achieve genetic potential provides up to 50 years worth of genetic progress"

There is plenty of genetic potential but not everyone is achieving it. As for reproduction technology, success depends on the commitment of staff. Progress on genomic technology would be greatly accelerated if supply chain agreements could be put in place to help fund this new technology.

Where will we be in another 50 years, in 2058? Dr Walling predicts the number of pigs per sow per year will exceed 25, and more than 325 kg meat will be produced per tonne of feed.

The UK pig industry is strong but it faces fierce international competition.

In the discussion following his presentation, Dr Walling emphasised the potential of genetic modification (GM) for some specialist applications. He gave examples of cases where it has proved successful - for example, using GM microbes to reduce ammonia emissions in cattle and in research, to determine the roles of specific genes.

December 2008