Animal Sciences Commons^™

Quantification And Repeated Measurements Of Conformation Traits In Replacement Females To Optimize Sow Longevity, Melanie D. Trenhaile Grannemann

Department of Animal Science: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The objectives were to 1) assess the reliability of objective conformation trait measurements between evaluators, 2) evaluate effects of dietary energy and lysine during development and housing system during first gestation on longevity, reproductive performance, and conformation, 3) characterize conformation changes throughout life, 4) identify phenotypic associations between conformation and longevity, 5) estimate heritability of conformation traits, and 6) assess genetic relationships between conformation traits measured throughout life in sows. Sows (n = 622) were fed a standard, energy restricted, or standard energy with increased lysine diet during gilt development and housed in either a group pen or stall during …