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Livestock Programs
Swine Testing Program
 The program is administered by the Pennsylvania Department
of Agriculture with Penn State University and the Pennsylvania Pork Producers Council
as cooperators. The objectives of the program are to:
- Provide a genetically sound testing program that allows both large and small producers
to participate.
- To provide a common test whereby the individual performance of potential seedstock
boars and gilts or progeny of seedstock boars can be compared for rate of gain,
feed, efficiency, structural soundness, muscularity, and fat depth.
- To provide an opportunity for purebred breeders and commercial producers to purchase
performance tested boars and gilts, which have been evaluated early in life under
similar environmental conditions.
- To promote swine performance testing in Pennsylvania, and to serve as an educational
method to continually acquaints producers with its overall value.
The Boar and Gilt Testing Program
The testing facility houses four boars or two or more gilts in each of 24 pens in
a weight gain program from an on-test weight of about 70lb. to a final weight of
250lb. The information that is generated for consignors and perspective buyers includes:
- breeders name and address
- birth date
- number born alive in litter
- weight per day of age
- on-test age
- on-test weight
- days on test
- average daily gain
- days to 250 lbs.
- off-test ultrasonic estimates of fat thickness and loin eye area
- soundness score for feet and legs, and underline
- final index
Consignments to the Boar and Gilt Test Program
Consignments to the PA Boar and Gilt Testing Program must meet the following
criteria:
- Boars and Gilts must be born January 1st through February 10th.
- Weight per day of age at the time of delivery must fall between .60 lb/day and 1.20
lb/day.
- All pigs must be ear notched, and tagged or tattooed, and must have at least six
functional nipples per side.
- Meet health requirements as outlined in the nomination application.
Why Should I Consign Boars and Gilts?
Performance testing of boars and gilts provides the seedstock producer
important information about their own genetic improvement program, as well as making
a comparison with other breeders. The advantages of performance testing include:
- boars and gilts are tested and fed in one environment, with similar management so
differences in performance are more likely to be genetic
- complete performance information is provided
- progress in genetic improvement can be tracked over succeeding generations
- interim and final reports provide goodadvertisement to other breeders and the general
public
- boars and gilts accepted for sale are offered to a larger pool of prospective
buyers
The Pennsylvania Performance-Tested Boar and Gilt Sale
Boars, which complete the test, may be selected to be sold at auction during the
Wednesday of the week of Ag Progress Days in August. Boars which rank in the
top 80%-85% of the test group on an index of performance traits after meeting minimum
standards for health and structural soundness will be eligible for sale. Sale
costs are borne by consignor as outlined in the nomination application.
Why Should I Buy Performance-Tested Boars?
The information generated by the testing program provides valuable selection tools
to increase productivity and profitability in a swine enterprise. The selection
of potential herd sires is one of the most important decisions made in a swine operation.
The Progeny Test Program
The testing facility houses four pigs (barrows or gilts) in each of 24 pens in a
feeding test program that lasts about 90 days. The conduct of the test is
similar to that of the boar test. At the conclusion of test, consignors select
up to all four pigs for exhibition at the Pennsylvania Farm Show. Pigs are
judged during an on-foot competition after which they are transported to a slaughterhouse
for carcass measurements. Premiums are earned for on-foot placement and percent
acceptable lean. An overall champion and reserve are selected on the basis
of lean gain per day.
Progeny Test Criteria
The following is a partial list of the on-test criteria:
- Pigs must weigh at least 60 lbs. and not more than 80 lbs. when delivered to the
center, and their weight per day of age must be between .60 lbs. per day and 1.30
lbs. per day.
- All pigs must be earmarked for identification.
- Pigs must be from single sire.
- Pigs must meet health requirements as outlined in the nomination application.
First priority is given to Pennsylvania producers entering purebred pigs. Crossbred
pigs, and pigs consigned from out-of-state producers will be accommodated on a space-available
basis. Out-of-state producers will not be able to compete in the on-foot show,
nor will they be eligible for any premiums. However, data will be collected
from all pigs slaughtered and included in the final report.
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Rules, Forms, Catalogs, Reports (all files are in Adobe pdf format) |
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Rules-
portions of the rules change yearly |
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Forms |
- Swine Testing Nomination Form
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Catalog |
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Reports (updated bi-weekly) |
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