Genetic parameters for individual birth weight, weaning weight and final weight of crossbred pigs from Piétrain boars

Genetic parameters for birth weight (BWT),
weaning weight (WWT), and final weight (BW) were estimated
for crossbred pigs from Piétrain boars raised in test
station. Estimates of direct heritability were moderate (0.25
to 0.42), suggesting that genetic improvement of growth
would be possible. Estimates of maternal heritability were
0.24 for BWT and WWT, and 0.05 for BW, indicating that
the genetic influence of the dam on growth was not negligible
until weaning. Genetic correlations between direct and
maternal effects for BWT and WWT were moderate and
unfavorable (-0.52 and -0.57 respectively). Direct genetic
correlations were high and favorable between traits (0.40 to
0.75), suggesting that a high BWT is a good predictor to
produce pigs with high final weight. Maternal genetic correlations
between traits were low (0.01 to 0.03). Selection
for higher BWT would increase final market weight but
should be balanced with survival traits.