PigEV - a new tool to derive economic values for pigs

The breeding objective defines the selection emphasis placed on individual traits based on the economic importance of each trait. In PIGBLUP, the $Index defines the breeding objective based on the profit function developed by Stewart et al. (1990). The profit function was based on two main equations quantifying a sow herd sub-objective (SHSO) and a growing-finishing sub-objective (GFSO). Information required in the PIGBLUP $Index module included economic inputs outlining payment details and cost structures, performance levels in key characteristics of pig production and marketing weighting as outlined by Long (1991) during an earlier AGBU Pig Genetics Workshop. The number of traits considered in genetic evaluations has increased over time and the bio-economic model developed by de Vries (1989) was used by Cameron and Crump (1999) to derive economic weights for the main performance traits based on production and market parameters relevant for Australian conditions at the time. However, breeders require greater flexibility in the setup of company-specific breeding objectives for a wider range of traits. This need has now been met by the development of PigEV which is a tool that allows users to define breeding objectives in pigs using their own input parameters in regard to cost structures, performance and marketing information.