AS-380 • Rev. 1977
animal sciences  swine
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE PURDUE UNIVERSITY, WEST LAFAYETTE INDIANA 47907
Indiana On-Farm Boar Testing program lutes and Regulations
K. J. Drewry, Animal Sciences Department, Purdue University
Purpose
The Indiana On-Farm Boar Testing Program offers Hoosier swine breeders an accurate recordkeeping system for determining sow and herd sire productivity through measurements of their boar progeny’s gainability, feed conversion, carcass quality (as indicated by backfat and loineye) and visual appraisal (type and structural soundness). The program is intended to: (1) assist breeders in obtaining data to identify superior strains, lines or breeds; (2) assist breeders in selection of replacement and sale boars; and (3) supplement similar data obtained by breeders on boars from their herds at the Indiana Boar Test Station.
Direction
Coordination of the program is the responsibility of the Swine Extension Section, Animal Sciences Department, Purdue University. The general policy, rules and regulations of this program are subject to the recommendations of the Indiana Swine Evaluation Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee consists of purebred breeders, commercial producers and extension personnel.
Participation
Any swine breeder in Indiana may participate in the program, provided he can meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligibility
Only boar pigs from litters farrowed in Indiana and owned by a resident of the state are eligible. The sow must be in the ownership of the cooperator at farrowing.
Identification
Boar pigs to be evaluated must be individually identified by litter and pig, with the 1-3-9-27-81 ear-notching system recommended. Sires and dams of test boars may be identified by: ear-notch, ear-tag or last five digits of registration number. Sires may also be identified by herd name (five digits). Be consistent over time with identification of sire and dam.
Breeding
Boar pigs of any breed or breed combination may be evaluated in this program.
Traits Measured
Required measurements for this program include: test daily gain and adjusted backfat. It is recommended, but not required, that the cooperator also obtain measurements of pen feed consumption, adjusted loineye area and visual score.
Testing Procedures
A minimum of 12 boar pigs from the herd shall be evaluated within a farrowing season. It is recommended (although not required) that, if possible, all boar pigs in a pen be sired by the same boar. The cooperator may choose to evaluate the boar pigs with a smaller number of boar pigs per pen due to management considerations.
The data forms used with this program shall consist of ISEP Form 5, “Indiana On-Farm Boar and Gilt Testing Programs Evaluation Work Sheet,’’ and ISEP Form 6, “Test Pen Feed Record and Parentage Identification Record,” if pen feed consumption is measured. Copies of these forms