Latest results from InterPIG 2024 confirm that Danish pig production sets the standard for benchmark on a global scale. Proven by being the most cost-efficient production in Europe, with a production cost of €1.68 per kg warm carcass. Many years of genetic progress driven by DanBred genetics have contributed to high productivity, which is a gamechanger in a market with high labor costs, ensuring low production costs.
DanBred has consistently focused on breeding pigs that become more efficient generation by generation. Years of optimizing productivity traits such as faster growth and improved feed efficiency enable pig producers to achieve more with fewer resources. The high efficiency is one of the main reasons Denmark maintains some of the lowest production costs in the world.
Productive sows, bred for business
Once again, Denmark achieves the highest number of weaned pigs per litter by a wide margin. In 2024, Danish sows weaned an average of 15.9 pigs per litter, an increase of 0.3 pigs compared to 2023. The Netherlands ranks second place with 14 weaned pigs per litter, an increase of 0.1 compared to previous year.
Producing a high number of weaned pigs per litter is especially valuable in countries with high labor costs, such as Denmark. In this context, productive sows help offset these expenses.
Another interesting result from InterPIG 2024 is that Denmark stands out with a low preweaning mortality with a high number of liveborn piglets. The top 33% of Danish herds achieved more liveborn piglets per litter while maintaining a lower piglet mortality.
As DanBred holds the majority of the market share in Denmark, the results can largely be explained by the 1.6 percentage point improvement in piglet survival in herds using DanBred genetics over the past two years. This improvement is a direct result of the new breeding goal trait for piglet survival implemented in 2022.
Productive finishers mark the bottom line
When it comes to growth rates, Denmark remains the clear winner with an average daily gain of 1,037 grams. Combined with a low feed conversion rate of 2.61 kg feed per kg gain, this reflects a productive finisher in a class of its own.
For many years, DanBred’s targeted breeding has delivered more productive and profitable finishers. Over the past two years, DanBred finishers have improved feed efficiency by 0.07 kg feed per kg gain, while daily growth has increased by 25 grams.
Target breeding creates proven results
Denmark stands out as a global leader in efficient pig production from piglet to finisher. Partly due to DanBred’s focused and targeted breeding program. For more than 120 years, DanBred has improved pig genetics, and this commitment remains strong and unparallelled.
The latest addition to the breeding goal is the inclusion of litter weight gain, a trait that enhances the sow’s ability to produce more milk and wean heavier and healthier piglets. This improvement is expected to contribute in an annual litter weight gain of 3 kg.
DanBred genetics will boost your profitability, productivity and make sure that you stay ahead in a competitive market. Choosing DanBred means proven results backed by data.
InterPIG is an independent forum of pig production economists in 18 countries, mainly in Europe, but also in the USA, Canada, and Brazil.It was founded in 2003 with 6 European countries and has expanded since then. InterPIG aims to compare costs of professional pig production,based on a representative sample per country and typically reflecting conventional pig production. The latest results are published every year in October. |
