Results of the study of the operational value of sows using a new multicomponent mathe­matical model

Abstract

Goal. To study the life expectancy, breeding use, and reproductive qualities of sows of the large white breed of foreign origin. Based on the obtained results, a new method for assessing the operational value of sows was developed. Methods. Zootechnical (assessment of sows by indicators of life expectancy, breeding use, and reproductive qualities), statistical (determination of the arithmetic mean of quantitative signs and its error, indicators of variability, correlation analysis). Results. It was established that sows of the large white breed of foreign origin were characterized by high life expectancy, duration of breeding use, as well as reproductive qualities. A significant difference between animals of experimental groups with high and low operational value was determined by life expectancy (16.2 months, td = 9.70), tribal use (18.2 months, td = 15.42), total number of farrows obtained (3.8, td = 22.35), live piglets (49.8 animals, td = 26.77), polycarpic effect (1.1 animals, td = 4.58), and nest weight at the time of weaning at the age of 30 days (4.5 kg, td = 3.26). The coefficients of even correlation between the Kh1 index (operational value of the sow), life expectancy, duration of breeding use, and reproductive qualities of sows ranged from – 0.389 to +0.999. The criterion for selecting sows with a high operational value was the value of the Kh1 index at a level of at least 87.52 points. Conclusions. Determination of the exploitation of the value of sows using the Kh1 index made it possible to more accurately select highly productive animals with a sufficiently long period of breeding use. This fact was confirmed by calculations of the economic efficiency of the research results: the maximum increase in additional products was obtained from sows of high operational value. It was +2.41%, and its value was +100.37 UAH/animal/farrowing.