Maternal ability became part of the breeding goal for the DanBred Landrace and DanBred Yorkshire sow lines in spring 2025. However, strong maternal traits have always been a natural characteristic of both breeds. The 2025 update marks an increased focus on improving sow maternal ability and ensuring that more robust piglets are successfully weaned.
Even before maternal rearing ability was included in the breeding goal, progress was already evident. This is because maternal rearing ability is genetically favourably correlated with piglet survival and early growth in the farrowing unit, traits that have long been part of the breeding goal. The significant improvement in piglet survival achieved by DanBred pigs has therefore had a positive impact on the sow’s maternal rearing ability.
The graph shows the development in the number of piglets reared up to day 21 for DanBred Landrace and DanBred Yorkshire sows. The data are based on first-parity sows from the nucleus herds with purebred litters.“The improvement we have seen in the breeding nucleus over recent years is what producers will experience in their own herds going forward. In fact, I am already hearing from several producers who can see an increase in pigs weaned per litter. As maternal rearing ability improves, we also expect the need for nurse sows to decrease,” says Tage.