Impact of genetics on weaning process

Genetic progress in sow fertility became significant in the 1990’s due to breeding technology (BLUP*). While before progress was stuck around 0.05 piglet/year, genetic progress in most breeding companies now reach levels of 0.3 to 0.4 piglets per year. No wonder that about 2 decades later ‘weaning traits’ have risen in importance for genetic improvement. Whether piglets survive after birth depends on a large number of aspects. A part depends on the piglet quality, another part depends on