Summary
Losing piglets — from farrowing to market — costs producers money and raises welfare concerns. Researchers from Dalhousie University and the Canadian Centre for Swine Improvement wanted to know: does your choice of service sire (the boar used for breeding) affect survival?
They analyzed nearly 10,000 litters of Canadian Landrace pigs and found that yes — the boar's genetics do influence survival, though modestly. The top boars produced roughly 3–4 more live piglets per litter than the bottom boars.
The genetic effect is real but small, meaning traditional selection alone won't move the needle much. However, genomic selection — using DNA markers to identify superior boars — could unlock bigger gains. For producers, this is a reminder that boar selection matters beyond growth and leanness.