The broad mission of IPG with regard to independent support is the basis of the range of scientific and administrative services IPG is performing. The range of IPG activities comprise:
- Breeding Programme Administration
The breeding programme administration for the breeding programmes is organized by means of an automated database system. This database system is containing the actual data of over 150 000 breeding sows and the data of numerous previous generations of breeding sows. The sows are divided over 15 breeds and lines and are kept at over 700 breeding farms. The necessary breeding data (cycle and litter data as well as test, research and slaughter data) are collected for each individual pig at the breeding farms by the sow management systems and the breed management systems available at the farms. Weekly, the new data are sent to IPG by means of electronic data exchange (e-mail or electronic mailbox). The IPG technical administration division will check the new data – relevance, completeness –. If correct and complete, the data will be added to the database. The database will check the data with regard to the technical breeding requirements of the breeding regulations of the breed and the breeding programme in question. Possible errors and incomplete data are identified automatically and corrected in consultation with the breeding organisation. The database and the additional applications are developed by IPG.
Every day the data in the database are used for breeding value estimations and for the composition of overviews and lists for the management of the respective breeding programmes. The dissemination of the latest breeding values to the breeding farms is taking place daily or weekly, depending on breed/line and breeding programme.
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- Breeding program databases
To store the numerous animals and data involved in a breeding program, the database Pigbase has been developed. This enormous database in Oracle, is tailor made by IPG and the ICT department ensures maintenance and further development. The data in Pigbase are continuosly used for breeding administration, breeding value estimation and management of the breeding program for all involved breeders.
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- Breeding Value Estimation
On daily basis breeding values are being estimated using the latest data in the IPG database. IPG estimates breeding values (= an index estimating the genetic value of a pig with regard to one or several traits compared to his/her breed or line mates) by means of the animal model for both reproduction and production characteristics. The breeding programmes decide, in consultation with the Research Division of IPG, which traits are taken into account in the breeding value estimation and how they are being combined (weights of each trait).
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- Research and Development
The research is primarily directed towards the reproduction and selection of the pig. It goes without saying that the aspects of health, feed and welfare are taken into account or are subject of research in a breeding context. Increasingly food safety and society acceptance of the research results are guiding aspects of the IPG research programme.
The breeding research is aiming at the continuous improvement of the desired genetic progress. New traits and improved statistic breeding estimation programmes, and increasingly also molecular genetics, are subject of research. Genetic markers are being used to achieve the desired genetic progress more quickly or more effectively (e.g. the halothene gene). It is important to mention that genomics and the use of genetic markers are used to improve the traditional breeding; genomics is NOT about genetic modification, transgenesis or GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms).
The reproduction research is primarily aiming at the improvement of artificial insemination in all its aspects in order to improve the efficiency and the effectiveness of pig reproduction. Both the male (semen) and the female (heat, pregnancy) side are being studied.
For project information: Research and Development.
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- Consultancy and Education
For several IPG clients IPG is the knowledge centre and source of knowledge and expertise which is transfered along consultancy, seminars and eduction. Knowledgemanagement and implentation of knowledge transfer plays an increasing role. Step by step IPG develops itself into a knowledge centre for breeding and reproduction (across species).
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- ICT Network support
Next to Pigbase GMS (Genetics Management Support), IPG has developed and implemented Pigbase MQS (Monitoring and Quality System) for benchmarking and quality control of breeding and AI products. Pigbase MQS is also very effictive in support to primary producers in order to improve stheid technical results.
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- Design, execution and analysis of experiments
This concerns experiments related to the IPG expertise and knowlegde of breeding and reproduction, e.g. nutritional needs, product quality and carcass grading systems.
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