Swine Breeding Program Design: Genetic Goals, Selection Criteria, and Crossbreeding Systems

A swine breeding program is a structured system for choosing which pigs become parents of the next generation, with the goal of improving economically important traits over time. For a commercial farm, the program connects your production objectives, the genetic potential of your animals, and the management practices that allow that potential to be expressed. This article explains how to define breeding goals, select appropriate traits, choose breeds and crossbreeding systems, and implement practical selection tools on your farm. The content is written for farmers, farm employees, veterinarians, advisers, students, and farm planners who want to design or improve a breeding program for genetic progress and productivity.

At a Glance

The table below summarizes the main decisions involved in designing a swine breeding program. Use it as a starting point before reading the detailed sections that follow.

Defining Breeding Goals for Your Herd

The breeding goal is the direction in which you want your herd to change genetically. It translates your farm's economic and production objectives into a measurable target. A clear goal helps you decide which traits to record, which animals to keep, and which sires to use.

Start by listing the traits that affect your farm's profitability. For a farrow-to-finish operation, these traits often include number of piglets born alive, pre-weaning survival, growth rate, feed efficiency, carcass lean percentage, and sow longevity. For a herd selling weaned pigs, maternal traits such as litter size and milking ability may dominate the goal. For a herd producing slaughter pigs, growth and carcass traits become more important.

The design of breeding programs is crucial for maximizing economic gains, and simulation provides the most efficient measures to test these programs because real-world trials are often costly and time-consuming. The GOplan R package was developed to design animal breeding programs considering pure-bred populations and crossbreeding systems, and it includes functions to evaluate nucleus breeding programs, predict economic outcomes and production performance of crossbreeding systems, and optimize crossbreeding structures for greater profitability. This tool illustrates that breeding program design is an active area of development, and farmers can use similar logic to evaluate their own options before committing resources.

When defining your breeding goal, consider the following steps:

1. List all traits that contribute to income or costs on your farm.
2. Assign a relative economic weight to each trait based on your market and production system.
3. Check that the traits you select can be measured accurately and are heritable enough to respond to selection.
4. Review the goal with your veterinarian or adviser to confirm it aligns with herd health and welfare priorities.

A breeding goal that ignores health or welfare can lead to problems. Genetic selection increased sow productivity over recent decades, but it also increased sow mortality, and the impact of mortality includes financial losses, affects labor morale, and raises ethical and animal-welfare concerns. A study of 123 sows from a breeding herd with 15,000 dams found that spontaneous death occurred mainly in the peripartum period and was associated with heart failures, genitourinary disorders, and prolapses, while euthanized sows had more locomotor disorders. Sow mortality had a multifactorial etiology, and in 75% of the deaths, lesions affecting more than one system were observed. These findings show that breeding goals should include traits that support sow longevity and robustness, also production traits.

Selecting Traits for Genetic Improvement

Trait selection is the process of deciding which characteristics to include in your breeding program. The traits you choose must be economically relevant, measurable, and responsive to selection. For most swine breeding programs, traits fall into three categories: reproduction, growth and feed efficiency, and carcass and meat quality.

Reproduction Traits

Reproduction traits are the foundation of a maternal line breeding program. The most commonly recorded traits include number of piglets born alive, number of stillborn piglets, litter birth weight, number weaned, and weaning-to-estrus interval. These traits are generally low to moderately heritable, meaning that genetic progress is slower than for growth traits, but they have a large economic impact because they determine the number of pigs available for sale.

Sow longevity is another important reproduction-related trait. A sow that stays in the herd for more parities spreads her fixed costs over more litters and reduces the need for replacement gilts. Including sow longevity in the breeding goal can help counteract the trend toward higher mortality in highly productive sows. The causes of sow mortality are multifactorial, and the high index of secondary lesions such as gastric ulcers, cystitis, locomotor disorders, and lung pleurisy raises concerns about sow welfare. Selecting for robust, long-lived sows can reduce these problems over time.

Growth and Feed Efficiency Traits

Growth traits include average daily gain, days to market weight, and feed conversion ratio. These traits are moderately to highly heritable and respond well to selection. Feed efficiency is particularly important because feed represents the largest variable cost in most swine operations. Selecting for improved feed conversion reduces the cost of producing each kilogram of pork.

Growth and carcass traits are often recorded in central test stations or on-farm using electronic feeders and scales. Accurate records are essential because selection decisions are only as good as the data they are based on. The Terminal Sire Line Genetic Evaluation Program conducted in the United States by the National Pork Producers Council was designed to compare seedstock populations for use in crossbreeding systems. The program set high levels of statistical accuracy, the ability to detect differences of 0.25 standard deviations per trait, a power of test of 75%, and a 5% significance level. Semen was collected from nominated boars and distributed to cooperating commercial producers during eight one-week breeding periods, and pigs were produced in 136 commercial herds and transported to testing facilities at 8 to 23 days of age. This program demonstrated that large-scale genetic evaluation is feasible and can provide unbiased, highly accurate sire line data for growth, carcass, meat quality, and eating quality traits of economic importance.

Carcass and Meat Quality Traits

Carcass traits include backfat thickness, loin muscle area, lean meat percentage, and carcass weight. Meat quality traits include intramuscular fat, pH, water-holding capacity, and tenderness. These traits are important for herds supplying pigs to processors or niche markets that pay premiums for quality.

Crossbreeding can change carcass and meat quality characteristics. A study comparing Huainan pigs with three hybrid combinations generated by crossing Huainan sows with Yorkshire, Landrace, and Berkshire sires found that crossbreeding substantially improved lean meat yield in Huainan pigs. The lean meat percentage of the Landrace-Huainan and Yorkshire-Huainan groups was significantly lower than that of pure Huainan pigs, while the Yorkshire-Huainan group exhibited the lowest intramuscular fat level, indicating that this breed possesses enhanced lean meat production efficiency. These results show that breed choice and crossbreeding system directly affect the carcass and meat quality traits you can deliver to your market.

Another study compared meat quality and clinical parameters from pigs in free-range husbandry, using 10 pigs from the endangered breed Bentheim Black Pied and 30 F1 pigs from Danish hybrid pigs crossed with Bentheim Black Pied. The crossbred pigs were significantly heavier at the end of the fattening period (128.3 kg versus 102.5 kg) with significantly higher average daily weight gain. However, the purebred pigs showed a more favorable fatty acid profile, notably with higher levels of the essential alpha-linolenic acid. Water-holding capacity was lower in the crossbred pigs, with significantly higher drip losses during cold storage, and sensory analysis revealed that untrained panelists were able to distinguish between meat of both groups, with the purebred meat rated as more tender. This study shows that crossbreeding can compensate for performance deficits of a traditional breed, such as slower growth, while partially retaining beneficial traits such as a nutritionally superior fatty acid composition.

Choosing Breeds for Your Production System

Breed choice is one of the most important decisions in a swine breeding program. The breeds you select determine the genetic base of your herd and the traits you can improve through selection and crossbreeding. Breed selection should be based on your breeding goal, market requirements, and the environment in which the pigs will be raised.

Maternal Breeds

Maternal breeds are selected for reproduction and mothering ability. The most common maternal breeds worldwide are the Large White (Yorkshire) and the Landrace. These breeds are known for large litters, good milking ability, and docile temperament. They are typically used as the female side of a crossbreeding system because they pass on maternal traits to their daughters.

When choosing a maternal breed, consider the following:

1. Litter size and piglet survival records from the breed's genetic evaluation program.
2. Sow longevity and culling rates in commercial herds using the breed.
3. Adaptability to your housing system and climate.
4. Availability of replacement gilts and semen.

Terminal Sire Breeds

Terminal sire breeds are selected for growth, feed efficiency, and carcass quality. The most common terminal sire breeds are the Duroc, Pietrain, and Hampshire. These breeds are used as the male side of a terminal cross because they pass on growth and carcass traits to their offspring without affecting the maternal traits of the female line.

Duroc is known for growth rate, feed efficiency, and meat quality, particularly intramuscular fat. Pietrain is known for lean meat percentage and muscularity, but it can have poorer meat quality and higher stress susceptibility if not managed carefully. Hampshire is known for lean growth and carcass quality, but it is less common than Duroc or Pietrain in many markets.

Indigenous and Local Breeds

Indigenous pig breeds represent an important genetic reservoir, offering traits adapted to local environments, cultural preferences, and disease resistance. However, rapid industrialization and the expansion of commercial breeds have endangered many indigenous populations. A review of indigenous pig breeds in Vietnam summarized the key characteristics and values of 26 local breeds and highlighted key findings on genetic diversity, population structure, and inbreeding levels across major breeds. The review identified key breeds for conservation priority, such as Huong, Van Pa, Soc, ChuProng, Co Aluoi, and Lung Pu, and highlighted exotic introgression in H'mong pig populations.

Similarly, the Ashanti Dwarf Pig of Ghana is an important local genetic resource well-adapted to tropical environments but poorly characterized at the genomic level. A genomic study found that Ashanti Dwarf Pigs exhibited high polymorphism and moderate heterozygosity but also elevated inbreeding, indicating recent inbreeding under free-range management. Population structure analysis revealed that Ashanti Dwarf Pigs cluster closely with other African pigs and European breeds more than Chinese breeds, and selection scans revealed candidate genes linked to metabolism, growth, reproduction, and immunity, reflecting adaptation to tropical production systems.

For farmers considering indigenous breeds, these breeds may offer advantages in specific environments or markets, but they often have lower growth rates and lean meat yields than commercial breeds. Crossbreeding indigenous breeds with commercial breeds can combine the adaptation and meat quality of the local breed with the growth and efficiency of the commercial breed, as demonstrated in the Huainan and Bentheim Black Pied studies.

Crossbreeding Systems

Crossbreeding is the mating of animals from different breeds or lines to combine desirable traits and exploit heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor. Heterosis is the advantage of crossbred animals over the average of their purebred parents, and it is most pronounced for lowly heritable traits such as reproduction and survival.

Two-Breed Terminal Cross

The two-breed terminal cross is the simplest crossbreeding system. A purebred maternal breed female is mated to a purebred terminal sire breed male, and all offspring are sold for slaughter. This system captures heterosis in the offspring for growth and survival, but it does not capture maternal heterosis because the females are purebred.

This system is easy to manage because it requires only two breeds and replacement females can be purchased or raised from the purebred maternal herd. It is suitable for farms that want to keep management simple and do not need to produce their own replacement gilts.

Three-Breed Terminal Cross

The three-breed terminal cross uses a crossbred female, typically a Large White by Landrace F1, mated to a terminal sire breed. The crossbred female expresses maternal heterosis, which improves litter size, piglet survival, and milking ability. The terminal sire contributes growth and carcass traits to all offspring.

This system captures both maternal and individual heterosis and is the most common crossbreeding system in commercial swine production. The main challenge is sourcing or producing F1 replacement females, which requires maintaining purebred maternal lines or purchasing F1 gilts from a breeding company.

Rotational Crossbreeding

Rotational crossbreeding uses two or more breeds in rotation, with replacement females kept from the crossbred females in the herd. For example, in a two-breed rotation, sows are mated to a boar of the opposite breed, and replacement gilts are kept from the resulting litters. This system captures maternal heterosis without the need to maintain purebred lines, but it requires careful record keeping to ensure that each generation is mated to the correct breed.

Rotational systems are more complex to manage than terminal crosses, and the level of heterosis is lower than in a three-breed terminal cross. However, they can be useful for farms that want to produce their own replacement females without maintaining purebred herds.

Comparing Crossbreeding Systems

The choice of crossbreeding system depends on your farm's resources, market, and management capacity. The table below compares the main systems.

The GOplan software includes mainstream crossbreeding frameworks that streamline modeling and use Gene Flow and Bayesian optimization methods to enhance breeding program efficiency. Its functions support breeders in better planning and accelerating breeding goals, and the application of Bayesian optimization algorithms provides insights for developing new optimization algorithms. For farmers, this means that crossbreeding system design can be evaluated with simulation tools before implementation, reducing the risk of costly mistakes.

Implementing Selection Tools

Selection tools are the methods you use to identify which animals become parents of the next generation. The accuracy of your selection decisions determines the rate of genetic progress in your herd. Selection tools range from simple visual appraisal to complex genomic evaluations.

Performance Recording

Performance recording is the foundation of any breeding program. You cannot select for traits you do not measure. The minimum records for a breeding program include:

1. Sow identification and parity.
2. Litter records: number born alive, stillborn, mummified, weaned, and litter weights.
3. Growth records: birth weight, weaning weight, and weight at a standard age.
4. Carcass records: backfat thickness, loin muscle area, and lean percentage.
5. Health and treatment records.

Accurate records require a reliable identification system, such as ear tags or tattoos, and a record-keeping system that is easy to use and maintain. Web-based information systems for management of swine breeding herd farms have been developed to support these tasks, and they can help farmers organize records, track performance, and make selection decisions.

Estimated Breeding Values

An estimated breeding value (EBV) is an estimate of an animal's genetic merit for a trait, based on its own performance and the performance of its relatives. EBVs are calculated using statistical models that account for environmental effects and genetic relationships among animals. Animals with higher EBVs are expected to produce offspring with better performance for the trait.

National genetic evaluation programs have the potential to identify important differences among populations and to increase the rate of genetic improvement in a population. Program results provide performance benchmarks that stimulate testing and selection procedures by seedstock suppliers that further increase the rate of genetic improvement. For commercial farmers, using EBVs from a breeding company or national evaluation program is more accurate than selecting on visual appraisal alone.

Genomic Selection

Genomic selection uses DNA markers across the genome to estimate breeding values. Determining an animal's genetic merit using genomic information can improve EBV accuracy, but the magnitude of the accuracy improvement must be large enough to recover the costs associated with implementing genome-enabled selection. One way to reduce costs is to genotype nucleus herd selection candidates using a low-density chip and to use high-density chip genotyping for animals that are used as parents in the nucleus breeding herd.

A cost analysis of genome-enabled selection in a multi-level swine production system estimated that genome-enabled selection costs for a maternal line would be approximately US$0.082 per weaned pig in the commercial production system, and a total of US$0.164 per weaned pig is needed to incorporate genome-enabled selection into two maternal lines. For a 600 sow terminal line nucleus herd and genotyping only male selection candidates with the low-density panel, the cost per weaned pig in the commercial herd was estimated to be US$0.044. This means that US$0.21 per weaned pig produced at the commercial level and sired by boars obtained from the nucleus herd breeding program needs to be added to the genetic merit value in order to break even on the additional cost required when genotyping.

For most commercial farmers, genomic selection is implemented through the purchase of semen or replacement animals from breeding companies that use genomic tools in their nucleus herds. The cost of genotyping individual animals on a commercial farm is rarely justified unless the farm is operating as a seedstock supplier.

Designing a Breeding Plan

A breeding plan is a written document that describes your breeding goals, the traits you select for, the breeds and crossbreeding system you use, and the selection tools you apply. The plan should be specific to your farm and should be reviewed and updated regularly.

Sample Breeding Plan Template

Use the following template to create a breeding plan for your farm.

Farm Information

• Farm name and location
• Herd size and composition (number of sows, boars, gilts)
• Production system (farrow-to-finish, wean-to-finish, feeder pig production)
• Market target (commodity pork, niche market, breeding stock sales)

Breeding Goal

• Statement of the primary breeding objective (for example, increase number of piglets weaned per sow per year while maintaining growth rate)
• List of traits included in the goal with relative economic weights

Breed and Crossbreeding System

• Breeds used for the maternal line and terminal sire line
• Crossbreeding system (two-breed terminal, three-breed terminal, rotational)
• Source of replacement females and boars

Selection Criteria

• Traits recorded and methods of measurement
• Selection index or EBVs used to rank animals
• Minimum standards for keeping animals (for example, minimum litter size, minimum growth rate)

Record Keeping

• Identification system for all animals
• Records collected for each animal and litter
• Software or paper system used to store records
• Schedule for data entry and backup

Monitoring and Review

• Performance targets for key traits
• Schedule for reviewing records and genetic progress
• Criteria for changing the breeding plan

Implementing the Plan

Implementing a breeding plan requires consistent management and attention to detail. The following steps outline the implementation process:

1. Train all staff involved in record keeping and animal handling.
2. Establish a routine for data collection, such as weighing pigs at weaning and at a standard age.
3. Use the records to rank animals and make culling and selection decisions.
4. Review the plan at least annually with your veterinarian or adviser.
5. Adjust the plan when market conditions, herd health, or performance levels change.

Records and Measurements

Records are the backbone of a breeding program. Without accurate records, you cannot measure genetic progress, identify superior animals, or make informed culling decisions. The following records are essential for a swine breeding program.

Sow Records

Sow records should include identification, breed, birth date, parity, mating dates, farrowing dates, litter size born alive, stillborn, mummified, litter birth weight, number weaned, litter weaning weight, and weaning-to-estrus interval. These records allow you to calculate sow productivity indexes and identify sows that should be culled.

Sow mortality records are also important. A study of sow mortality in a Brazilian intensive swine production system found that spontaneous death occurred mainly in the peripartum period, and deaths in the peripartum period were associated with heart failures, genitourinary disorders, and prolapses. Recording the cause of death for every sow can help you identify patterns and take preventive action.

Boar Records

Boar records should include identification, breed, birth date, pedigree, semen quality, and mating records. Semen quality records are important because they affect conception rate and litter size. Boars with poor semen quality should be culled or replaced.

Growth and Carcass Records

Growth records should include birth weight, weaning weight, and weight at a standard age, such as 100 kg or 150 days. Feed intake records are valuable for calculating feed conversion ratio, but they require electronic feeders or individual pen feeding. Carcass records, such as backfat thickness and loin muscle area, can be measured with ultrasound or at slaughter.

Health Records

Health records should include vaccination dates, treatments, and disease diagnoses. Health records are important for two reasons. First, they allow you to monitor the health status of the herd and detect problems early. Second, they can be used to avoid selecting animals that are genetically susceptible to disease. The World Organisation for Animal Health provides guidance on animal health and welfare, and the USDA National Agricultural Library offers resources on animal health and welfare topics.

Common Failure Patterns in Breeding Programs

Breeding programs can fail for many reasons. Recognizing common failure patterns can help you avoid them or correct them quickly.

Incomplete or Inaccurate Records

The most common cause of breeding program failure is poor record keeping. If records are incomplete, inaccurate, or not entered in a timely manner, selection decisions are based on incomplete information, and genetic progress is slowed. This problem is often caused by inadequate training, lack of time, or a record-keeping system that is too complicated.

Selection on the Wrong Traits

Selecting for traits that are not economically relevant can reduce profitability. For example, selecting for extreme leanness without considering meat quality can lead to pale, soft, and exudative meat that is discounted by processors. Similarly, selecting for large litter size without considering piglet survival can increase the number of stillborn or weak piglets.

Ignoring Health and Welfare

Breeding programs that focus exclusively on production traits can increase health and welfare problems. Genetic selection increased sow productivity over recent decades, but also increased sow mortality. The impact of mortality includes financial losses, affects labor morale, and raises ethical and animal-welfare concerns. Breeding goals should include traits that support robustness and longevity.

Inconsistent Management

Genetic progress can be masked by poor management. If nutrition, housing, or health management is inconsistent, animals cannot express their genetic potential, and records will not reflect true genetic differences. Breeding programs work best when management is consistent and of high quality.

Failure to Review and Adjust

Breeding programs are not static. Market conditions, production systems, and herd health status change over time, and the breeding program must adapt. Farms that fail to review their breeding plan regularly may continue selecting for traits that are no longer economically relevant.

Welfare and Safety Context

Breeding program decisions have direct effects on animal welfare and worker safety. Selecting for robust, healthy animals improves welfare by reducing the incidence of disease, lameness, and other health problems. Selecting for calm temperament improves worker safety by reducing the risk of injury during handling.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations provides resources on animal production, and the World Organisation for Animal Health provides guidance on animal health and welfare. The USDA Agricultural Research Service conducts research on animal production and protection, and the USDA National Agricultural Library offers resources on animal health and welfare. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides information on animal veterinary topics, including the safe use of animal drugs.

When designing a breeding program, consider the following welfare and safety points:

1. Include traits that support sow longevity and reduce mortality, such as leg structure and temperament.
2. Avoid selecting for extreme phenotypes that increase the risk of health problems, such as extreme muscling that increases the risk of stress syndrome.
3. Ensure that all staff are trained in safe animal handling and that facilities are designed to minimize stress and injury.
4. Work with your veterinarian to monitor herd health and adjust the breeding program when welfare problems are detected.

Limitations and Professional Escalation

Breeding programs have limitations that should be recognized. Genetic progress is slow for lowly heritable traits such as reproduction, and it can take several generations to see meaningful change. Environmental factors, such as nutrition and health, can mask genetic differences, and records may not accurately reflect genetic merit if management is inconsistent.

Some situations require professional assistance. Escalate to a veterinarian, geneticist, or breeding company adviser when:

1. Herd performance is declining despite consistent management.
2. You are considering a major change to your breeding program, such as changing breeds or crossbreeding systems.
3. You need to interpret genetic evaluation results or select animals using EBVs.
4. You are experiencing high sow mortality or culling rates that may have a genetic component.
5. You are considering implementing genomic selection and need to evaluate the costs and benefits.

The design of breeding programs is crucial for maximizing economic gains, and simulation provides the most efficient measures to test these programs because real-world trials are often costly and time-consuming. Tools such as GOplan can help evaluate breeding program options before implementation, but they require expertise to use effectively. For most commercial farmers, working with a breeding company or geneticist is the most practical way to access these tools.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a breeding goal and a selection criterion?

A breeding goal is the overall direction of genetic change, expressed in economic terms. It describes what you want to achieve, such as increasing profit per sow per year. A selection criterion is a measurable trait or index used to rank animals, such as number of piglets born alive or estimated breeding value for growth. The selection criteria should be genetically correlated with the breeding goal so that selecting on the criteria moves the herd toward the goal.

How long does it take to see genetic progress in a swine herd?

Genetic progress depends on the heritability of the trait, the intensity of selection, and the generation interval. For growth traits, which are moderately to highly heritable, noticeable progress can be seen within a few generations. For reproduction traits, which are lowly heritable, progress is slower and may take several generations. Most breeding programs are evaluated over a five to ten year horizon.

Should I use genomic selection on my commercial farm?

Genomic selection is most cost-effective in nucleus herds where the cost of genotyping can be spread over many commercial offspring. For commercial farms, the practical way to access genomic selection is through the purchase of semen or replacement animals from breeding companies that use genomic tools. The cost of genotyping individual animals on a commercial farm is rarely justified unless the farm is operating as a seedstock supplier.

How do I choose between a terminal cross and a rotational crossbreeding system?

The choice depends on your market and management capacity. A terminal cross is simpler to manage and captures individual heterosis in the offspring, but it requires purchasing replacement females. A rotational cross allows you to produce your own replacement females and captures maternal heterosis, but it requires more complex record keeping and management. If you have a reliable source of F1 gilts, a three-breed terminal cross is often the most profitable option.

What records are essential for a breeding program?

The essential records are sow identification and parity, litter records (number born alive, stillborn, weaned, and litter weights), growth records (birth weight, weaning weight, and weight at a standard age), and health records. Carcass records are important if you are selecting for carcass traits. Accurate records are the foundation of genetic progress, and poor records are the most common cause of breeding program failure.

How can I reduce sow mortality through breeding?

Sow mortality has a multifactorial etiology, and breeding can play a role in reducing it by selecting for robust, long-lived sows. Include traits such as leg structure, temperament, and sow longevity in your breeding goal. Work with your veterinarian to monitor causes of death and identify patterns that may have a genetic component. Avoid selecting for extreme production traits that increase the risk of health problems.

What is heterosis and why is it important?

Heterosis, also known as hybrid vigor, is the advantage of crossbred animals over the average of their purebred parents. It is most pronounced for lowly heritable traits such as reproduction and survival. Crossbreeding systems are designed to capture heterosis, and the amount of heterosis depends on the system used. A three-breed terminal cross captures both maternal and individual heterosis and is the most common system in commercial swine production.

When should I involve a professional in my breeding program?

Involve a professional when you are making major decisions, such as changing breeds or crossbreeding systems, when herd performance is declining despite consistent management, or when you need to interpret genetic evaluation results. A veterinarian, geneticist, or breeding company adviser can help you evaluate your options and implement changes effectively.

Related Farming Guides

• Beef Cattle Genetic Selection for Carcass Traits
• Draft Horse Breeds for Farm Work: Selection Criteria and Comparison
• Honey Bee Genetics: Stock Selection and Breeding Program Design
• Swine Vaccination Program Design and Records
• Swine Genetic Selection and Replacement Planning

References and Further Reading

• FAO Animal Production and Health. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
• Animal Health and Welfare. USDA National Agricultural Library.
• Animal and Veterinary Resources. U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• Animal Health and Welfare. World Organisation for Animal Health.
• Animal Production and Protection. USDA Agricultural Research Service.
• GOplan: an R package for animal breeding program design via integrating Gene Flow and Bayesian optimization methods.. G3 (Bethesda, Md.), 2025.
• Tracing and Capturing the Epiblast Pluripotency of Sheep Preimplantation Embryos.. Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), 2025.
• FcγRIIB functions as an IgG transporter in the mammary gland.. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2026.
• Design and standards for genetic evaluation of swine seedstock populations.. Journal of animal science, 2003.
• Exploiting functional regions in the viral RNA genome as druggable entities.. eLife, 2025.
• African swine fever virus I177L induces host inflammatory responses by facilitating the TRAF6-TAK1 axis and NLRP3 inflammasome assembly.. Journal of virology, 2025.
• Tryptophan requirement of pregnant sows.. Journal of animal science, 2014.
• Spheroids Composed of Reaggregated Neonatal Porcine Islets and Human Endothelial Cells Accelerate Development of Normoglycemia in Diabetic Mice.. Cells, 2025.
• Conservation of Indigenous Pig Breeds in Vietnam: Genetic Characterization, Conservation Strategies, and Future Perspectives.. 2026.
• Genome-Wide Characterisation of the Ashanti Dwarf Pig Within a Global Context: Insights into Diversity, Inbreeding, and Adaptive Signatures.. 2026.
• Generation of transgenic pigs with targeted insertion of a wildtype copy of human PKD2 gene.. 2026.
• Editorial: Insights in livestock genomics.. 2026.
• RNA Sequencing and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Differences in Muscle Characteristics and Metabolic Profiles Between Purebred and Crossbred Huainan Pigs.. 2025.
• Comparison of meat quality and various clinical parameters from pigs in free-range husbandry.. 2025.
• Comparative Metabolomics and Lipidomics of Meat from Duroc × Guangdong Small-Eared Spotted Pigs and Commercial Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) Pigs. 2026.
• Inferred Mobility-Resolved Resistome Architecture Suggests Recurrent Co-Resistance Modules on a Conserved Chromosomal Backbone in Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli from Intensive Swine Production in Hungary. Antibiotics, 2026.
• Causes of Sow Mortality and Risks to Post-Mortem Findings in a Brazilian Intensive Swine Production System. Animals, 2022.
• Total cost estimation for implementing genome-enabled selection in a multi-level swine production system. Genetics Selection Evolution, 2014.
• Web-based information system for management of swine breeding herd farm. Kasetsart Journal Natural Science, 2010.
• Analysis of the Chinese government's subsidy programs to restore the pork supply chain: The case of African swine fever. Omega United Kingdom, 2024.
• Breeding amiable animals? Improving farm animal welfare by including social effects in breeding programmes. Animal Welfare, 2010.
• Statistical model and testing designs to increase response to selection with constrained inbreeding in genomic breeding programs for pigs affected by social genetic effects. Genetics Selection Evolution, 2021.

This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.