Pig breeders gear up for Pennsylvania performance tested swine sale

FURNACE, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Livestock Evaluation Center’s Swine testing program is finishing this year’s program and getting ready for their annual sale

Eligible pigs in this year’s program must have been farrowed between Jan. 1 and Feb. 10, 2009. The five-month test evaluates rate of gain, feed efficiency, muscle development and fat deposition in any group of boars or gilts.

Participating breeders are to test a pen of three boars, or two or more gilts, from the same sire. Swine breeds represented on test include:

15 Yorkshires

6 Berkshires

12 Durocs

2 Landrace

7 Crossbreds

1 Hampshire Gilt

1 Landrace Gilt

The boars and gilts were delivered to the Livestock Evaluation Center in March and are on test until they average 250 pounds.

Rate of gain and feed efficiency are reported throughout the test. Loin area and fat thickness are taken ultrasonically when the hogs near the finish weight of 250 pounds. Boars and gilts, which are sound and have performed well on test, are indexed for the annual Pennsylvania Performance Tested Boar and Gilt Sale.

This year’s sale will be held at the Pennsylvania Livestock Evaluation Center on Aug. 19 beginning at 6 p.m. in the sales arena. The sale is scheduled to coincide with Penn State’s Ag Progress Days.

The test and sale are conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, in cooperation with Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council.

For more information about Pennsylvania’s performance testing programs and sales, contact Glenn Eberly at 814-238-2527 or geberly@state.pa.us.