ISSN No.

0119-5727

PCARRD Farm Primer No. 26/2006

Crossbreeding for Slaughter

Pig Production

PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY

AND NATURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Department of Science and Technology
OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dear Reader:

Triple and four-way crossbreeding for slaughter pig production

is the current toast in swine raising because of the crossbreds’ impressive
performance under Philippine conditions.

Fast growth rate, good feed efficiency, and carcass quality are just
some of its outstanding traits.

We hope this primer would satisfy your initial information needs.

Sincerely yours,

PATRICIO S. FAYLON
Executive Director

PHILIPPINE COUNCIL FOR AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND NATURAL

RESOURCES RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (PCARRD)
Department of Science and Technology (DOST)
Paseo de Valmayor, Los Baños 4030, Laguna, Philippines
Tel. Nos. 536-0014 to 536-0015/536-0017 to 536-0020 & 536-0024
Manila Liaison Office: Rm. 103 Gr. Floor, DOST Bicutan, Tagig, Metro Manila
Tel. No. 837-1651
Fax No. (63) (094) 536-0016 /536-7922
 PCARRD Farm Primer No. 26/2006

Crossbreeding
for Slaughter
Pig Production

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and

Natural Resources Research and Development
Department of Science and Technology
Los Baños
2006
First Printing 2006

ISBN No. 0119-5727

Bibliographic Citation:

Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources

Research and Development. Crossbreeding for slaughter pig
production. Los Baños, Laguna: PCARRD, 2006. 10p. - (PCARRD,
Farm Primer No. 26/2006)
ii
Foreword

Swine production is at a stage where both commercial and backyard

raisers can operate more efficiently because of improved swine husbandry
practices and/or introduction of new technologies. Crossbreeding for
slaughter pig production is one of the recent technologies that is gaining
wide acceptance among swine raisers because of the many advantages and
benefits it offers.

This primer highlights the performance potentials of triple and four-

way crossbred pigs and the breeding system employed in its production.
It hopes to provide the basic information on the technology for use by
current and prospective hog raisers, researchers, technicians, instructors,
and students.

PATRICIO S. FAYLON
Executive Director

iii
Acknowledgment

PCARRD wishes to acknowledge the following persons for their valuable

contribution to the production of this primer:

 The author, Dr. Synan S. Baguio, for writing the manuscript

for this publication;

 Ms. Anna Marie P. Alo for editing the manuscript;

 The director, Dr. Edwin C. Villar, and staff of the Livestock

Research Division (LRD) for the invaluable suggestions given;

 Mr. Eric E. Perez (LRD) for the illustrations and layout;

 The Officer-in-Charge, Prof. Cesar M. Frias and staff of the

Applied Communication Division (ACD) for the production
and printing of the publication.

iv
Contents

Foreword iii
Acknowledgment iv
What is crossbreeding? 1
What is a crossbred (triple cross and four-way cross) slaughter pig? 1
What are the characteristics of the parents of triple and four-way cross
slaughter pigs? 2
What are the advantages of raising crossbred slaughter pigs? 4
What is the common problem in the production of triple- and
four-way cross slaughter pigs in backyard or smallscale operation? 7
What breeding tool is used in three- and four-breed crossbreeding? 7
What are the important factors to consider in AI? 8
What are the requirements in raising crossbred pigs? 8

v
What is crossbreeding?

Crossbreeding is the mating of two individuals belonging to different breeds. It is

commonly practiced in slaughter pig production to take advantage of heterosis or
hybrid vigor. Heterosis is commonly expressed as productive and reproductive
performances that are better than the average of both parents.

In crossbred sows, the effect of heterosis is observed in the mothering ability which
is measured in terms of larger litter size both at birth and at weaning, heavier pigs
at birth and at weaning, and higher preweaning survival rate.

In crossbred slaughter pigs, heterosis is expressed in terms of higher growth rate,

better feed efficiency, and good carcass quality.

As the success of crossbreeding is primarily dependent on the quality of the

purebreed parental stocks used in the program, proper selection of the breeders is
vital. The triple cross and four-way crossbreeding programs produce slaughter pigs
commonly called the triple cross and the four-way cross commercial slaughter pigs.
Triple and four-way cross pigs are excellent slaughter pigs but are not appropriate
for breeding

What is a crossbred (triple cross and four-way cross) slaughter pig?

The triple cross pig is a slaughter/market pig produced through the mating of a
two-breed crossbred sow to a terminal third breed boar.

Large White (Yorkshire) and Landrace are popular breeds for the grand parental
(GP) lines, while Duroc is the breed of choice for terminal boar.

Three-breed crossbreeding, as illustrated below, maximizes the performance

potentials of both the sow and its offspring.

X
Large White Landrace GP Lines
(boar) (gilt/sow)

X
Duroc Parental
(boar) F1 Sowline Lines

Slaughter
Triple Cross Pigs

Fig. 1. Breeding scheme to produce triple cross pigs.

CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION 1

On the other hand, four-way crossbreeding, as illustrated below, maximizes the
reproductive performance potentials of both crossbred parental boars and sows
and the growth performance potentials of their offspring.
Offspring of these crosses, therefore, are expected to perform better than a single-

X X GP Lines

Parental
F1 Boar F1 Sow Lines

Four-way Cross Pig Slaughter

Pigs

Fig. 2. Breeding for the four-way cross pig.

breed (purebred) or a two-breed crossbred pig.

What are the characteristics of the parents of triple and four-way cross
slaughter pigs?
Large White (Yorkshire). It is a white breed known for its good mothering ability

and large litter size. The ears are medium in size and pointing upward. The snout
is relatively short and straight, and the legs are generally sturdy and strong.
Landrace. It is also a white breed with bluish-black spots/markings on the skin. It

2 CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION

has a long body, large drooping ears, and long and relatively straight snout. This
breed is prolific and also known for its good mothering ability.
Duroc. It varies in color from light golden to very dark red. Cherry red is the most

common color. The head is small in proportion to the body with medium-sized
drooping ears, and a snout that is relatively short and straight. This is a superior
breed in terms of growth rate and feed efficiency. It has good muscle quality and
is very resistant to stress.

CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION 3

Pietrain. It is mostly spotted black and white, with medium-sized erect ears.
Although some individuals may have slightly drooping ears, and a moderately long
and slightly dished snout. This breed is known for its good muscle development
in the ham, loin and shoulder with very thin back fat. Pure breed Pietrain usually
has weak hind legs and is highly susceptible to stress. However, when crossed
with the Duroc, it can produce a good terminal sire for Large White x Landrace F1
sow in slaughter pig production.

What are the advantages of raising crossbred slaughter pigs?

 Parental lines (F1 sow x Duroc or Pietrain x Duroc F1 boar) produce larger litter
size.

4 CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION

  Compared with single breed or two-breed crosses, three- and four-
way crosses produce one more piglet at birth.

 Moreover, at weaning, two more piglets may be weaned

150 days (market

CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION 5

 per litter.
 They also have shorter growing period.

2.60 kg = 1 kg LW
 They have better feed efficiency and incur lower feed cost per kilogram

540 ~ 560 g/day

liveweight (LW) gain.

6 CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION

  They have higher average daily gain (ADG).
 Better carcass or meat quality is produced.
What is the most common problem in the production of triple- and/or four-
way cross slaughter pigs in backyard or smallscale operation?

One of the most common problems in triple- and four-way cross slaughter pig
production in backyard or smallscale operation is the source or availability of
Large White x Landrace F1 replacement gilts. Although many commercial farms
are producing Large White x Landrace F1 gilts, access of smallscale swine raisers to
these replacement gilts is often limited. Hence, it is suggested that in cases where
acquisition of F1 replacement gilts become impractical, the current F1 sow may be

X
Large White Landrace GP Lines
(boar) (gilt/sow)

X
Landrace or Parental
Large White (boar) F1 Sowline Lines

Replacement gilts may

F2 Landrace X Large White Pigs be selected from these
pigs

Fig. 3. Production of F1 replacement gilts through backcrossing.

backcrossed to either a Landrace or

a Large White boar, which is not
related to the F1 sow, to produce
offspring where replacement gilts
can be selected from (Fig. 3.).
What breeding tool is used
in three- or four-breed
crossbreeding?

Artificial insemination (AI) is

preferred as a breeding tool for three-
or four-breed crossbreeding because
of the following advantages:

 inseminates more sows at a time;

 prevents possible injuries or

CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION 7

 difficulties, which may result when small gilts/sows are mated to large boars;
 reduces or controls the spread of sexually-transmitted diseases;
 allows raising few sows without maintaining a boar;
 allows the use of performance-tested boars that are no longer capable of
performing natural mating; and
 services distantly-located breeding females more conveniently and with less
transport costs.

What are the important factors to consider in AI?

The success of AI depends on the following factors:

 accuracy of heat (estrus) detection

 subsequent timing of insemination
 proper handling of semen prior to insemination

Seek the assistance of an experienced AI technician to properly carry out the AI

procedures.

What are the requirements in raising crosbred pigs?

While studies show that crossbred slaughter pigs perform satisfactorily even under
backyard conditions, optimum performance can be achieved through proper care

and management of the stock.

1. Housing. Provide spacious, well-ventilated, and clean pens.

2. Nutrition. Provide the pigs with adequate and quality feeds. Do not overfeed
or underfeed the animals. Good quality commercial swine ration (prestarter,
starter, and grower-finisher) is recommended for optimum performance. Clean,
drinking water should be provided at all times.

8 CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION

 3. Health. Vaccinate and deworm regularly. Consult a veterinarian or animal
health expert for specific disease control and prevention programs.

4. Proper Waste Management. Most of the environmental concerns associated with

both large- and smallscale swine production are pollution of water, land, and
air. In some peri-urban areas, small-scale pig production units have polluted
major waterways and river systems. It is therefore necessary to properly manage
wastes from swine regardless of operation. One of the most common practices
is re-using wastes as energy source. The Department of Agriculture–Bureau of
Animal Industry (DA-BAI) has developed and tested a Tubular Polyethylene
Digester (TPED), a low-cost biogas digester, that converts swine waste into

Quantity Materials
1 pc 22 m x 90 cm diameter tubular polyethylene plastic
1 pc 3 m x 90 cm diameter tubular polyethylene plastic
2 pcs 0.61 m (2 ft) x 4 in diameter PVC pipe
3 pcs ½ in PVC pipe (moldex)
2 pcs ½ in gate valve
1 pair 3 cm diameter plastic washer with screw holes
1 pc ½ in PVC male adoptor
½ in transparent plastic hose*
2 pcs ½ in PVC T-pipe
2 pcs 0.61 m (2 ft) x ½ in PVC pipe
2 pcs ½ in PVC elbow
2 pcs ½ in coupling
1 can Neltex cement
* Length depends on the distance between the kitchen and the location of the biogas
digester.

methane gas. This gas is used as fuel for cooking. A list of materials and
procedure to construct TPED is given below:

Materials
Construction of Trench

Ground level

Width Width
0.61 m and depth Length and depth of trench and depth 0.76 m
(2 ft) of trench of trench (2.5 ft)

0.61 m (2 ft) 6–10 m 0.61 m (2 ft)

CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION 9

 Dig a trench to accommodate the plastic digester (inflated polyethylene plastic
tube). It should be 0.61 m (2 ft) deep, 0.61 m (2 ft) wide and 6–10 m long
depending on the volume of manure that will be fed into the plastic digester.
Compress the earth along the sides of the trench and remove sharp objects that
will likely puncture the plastic digester. The bottom part may be made flat or
slightly inclined towards the direction of where the digested manure would flow.

Setting up the Plastic Digester

1. For a 10-m long digester, cut 2 pieces of polyethylene plastic tube measuring
11 m long each.

2. Lay one 11-m polyethylene plastic tube in flat ground. Insert the other
11-m polyethylene plastic tube inside the first tube. Make sure not to tear
or puncture these plastic tubes.
End portion of
polyethylene
3. Make a gas outlet on the plastic tube. plastic tube

a. At one end of the tube, make a small

hole 1.5 m from the end.

b. Install the plastic washer on the male 1 in

PVC adaptor and insert it into the hole
from the inner side of the tube. Install
another plastic washer on the male
PVC adaptor on the outer side of the
plastic tube. Seal the installed male PVC 1.5 m
adaptor with Neltex cement to prevent
gas leakage from inside the plastic

Female PVC adaptor

(outer side of the digester)

Washer
1 in hole
polyethylene plastic

Washer

Male PVC adoptor (inner por-

tion of digester)

10 CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION
 digester.
4. Install wastewater inlet tube at one end of the plastic tube. Insert a 4-in
diameter PVC pipe, fold the plastic tube around it then tie with wide rubber
band.

5. Inflate the plastic tube using an electric fan or air compressor installed at
the other end of the plastic tube.

6. Once the plastic tube 6–10 m polyethylene plastic

is inflated, insert the
other 4-in diameter
PVC tube at the other
end, folding the
plastic tube around it
and tying it also with
a wide rubber band.
This should serve as Wide rubber bands
the outlet for excess 4 in-PVC tube
water and digested
sludge.

Installing the Inflated Plastic Tube in the Trench

Carefully lay the inflated plastic tube into the trench. Set the PVC pipes installed
at both ends of the plastic tube at about 45o angle. Install a gate valve on the

Gate valve

PVC pipe

1.5–2 m
Outlet of excess
water and sludge
Ground level from digester
Trench

Inlet of manure
and waste water
from pig pens

Trench
Tubular polyethylene plastic Trench

PVC adaptor attached to the plastic tube to control the flow of gas to the stove.
CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION 11
 Installing Safety Valve and Gas PVC T pipe
Reservoir Hose

Prepare a 1–2 L plastic bottle to serve Plastic hose leading to

as a gas safety valve. This will collect stove
the moisture that may flow with the Plastic hose from
methane gas to the stove, preventing digester
thus the accumulation of water in the
gas reservoir. Plastic bottle

From the 3-m long polyethylene plastic Water

tube, make a gas reservoir. Attach one
end of the plastic reservoir to the hose,
which is connected to the plastic digester using a PVC T pipe. On one end of
the PVC T pipe, attach the hose leading to the stove or kitchen. The plastic gas
reservoir may be set or hung on a horizontal or upright position in a secure and
shaded area, away from walkways to keep it from being punctured or damaged.

Hose
Polyethylene plastic (2–3 m)
PVC T
Wide rub-
Wide rub- ber band
ber band Gas
Gas Reservoir
Reservoir (Horizontal
(Upright) position)
Hose
PVC

Install another PVC gate valve inside the kitchen, 1–2 m from the stove. After
these are made, the other end of the hose from the plastic gas reservoir may
be connected to the stove.

From
gas reservoir
Gate valve

Stove

12 CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION

 Important Reminders

1. Regularly check the digester and gas reservoir for leaks.

2. If the digester is to be transferred or stored, ensure safety through proper
handling.
3. Fence off the site of the plastic digester to keep it safe from potential damage
that may be caused by children or stray animals.
4. Protect the plastic digester from exposure to direct sunlight to extend its
service life.
5. To hasten methane gas production, initially fill the digester with partially
decomposed manure (preferably taken from a functional biogas digester).
6. It will usually take 2–3 weeks from initial filling of the digester until methane
gas is produced from swine manure.
7. Install the gas digester outside of the piggery house, close to the kitchen
and protect it from being punctured or damaged.
For more details about TPED please contact the DA-BAI, Visayas Avenue, Diliman,

Stove

Gas reservoir

Pig pen Safety valve

Gas outlet Outlet Ground level

Gas 20–30%
Inlet
Water + Pig manure Trench
70–80%

Trench Digester

Quezon City.

References

CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION 13

PCARRD. Triple cross pig production. Los Baños, Laguna: PCARRD, 1996. 10p.
- (PCARRD Farm Primer No. 16/1996).

PCARRD. Gabay sa pangangasiwa ng triple cross na baboy. Los Baños, Laguna:

PCARRD, 2000. 22p. - (PCARRD Farm Primer No. 18/2000).

The Pork Production Committee, 2004. The Philippines recommends for pork
production. Los Baños, Laguna: PCARRD, 2005. 131p. - (Philippines
Recommends Series No. 13-B).

14 CROSSBREEDING FOR SLAUGHTER PIG PRODUCTION

 PRODUCTION TEAM

Writer Dr. SYNAN S. BAGUIO

Senior Science Research Specialist
Livestock Research Division (LRD)-PCARRD

Editors Ms. ANNA MARIE P. ALO
Senior Science Research Specialist
LRD-PCARRD

Mr. JOEL ENERISTO A. JOVEN

Senior Science Research Specialist
Applied Communication Division-PCARRD

Consultant Dr. EDWIN C. VILLAR

Director
LRD-PCARRD

Layout Mr. ERIC E. PEREZ

Science Research Specialist
LRD-PCARRD

For more information please contact/call:

Livestock Research Division (LRD), PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna, Tel.

Nos. (049) 536-0014 to 536-0015, 536-0017 to 536-0020, 536-0024,
536-5896 to 536-5899 Loc. 230, 236, & 268

e-mail us at pcarrd@pcarrd.dost.gov.ph

or visit us at http://www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph
ISO 9001-2000