COMPARATIVE STUDY ON THE PERFORMANCE OF LARGE  WHITE  YORKSHIRE AND  TANUVAS  KPM  GOLD (75% LWY CROSSBRED) PIGS IN AN ORGANIZED FARM IN TAMIL NADU

M. Arul Prakash; K. Senthilkumar; D. Balasubramanyam; C. Balan; T. Chandrasekar

doi:10.56093/ijvasr.v54i6.173066

Authors

M. Arul Prakash Assistant Professor, Livestock Farm Complex, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Theni - 625 534
K. Senthilkumar Associate Professor, Department of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Extension Education, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Salem - 636 112`
D. Balasubramanyam Professor and Head, Post Graduate Research Institute of Animal Sciences (PGRIAS), TANUVAS, Kattupakkam - 600 056
C. Balan Assistant Professor, Department of Animal Husbandry Statistics and Computer Applications, Madras Veterinary College, TANUVAS, Chennai - 600 007
T. Chandrasekar Assistant Professor, Department of Livestock Production Management, Veterinary College and Research Institute, TANUVAS, Theni - 625 534

https://doi.org/10.56093/ijvasr.v54i6.173066

Keywords:

Large White Yorkshire, TANUVAS KPM Gold, Crossbred pig, Production traits

Abstract

The study aimed to compare the productive traits of purebred Large White Yorkshire (LWY) pigs and TANUVAS KPM Gold pigs, a 75% LWY crossbred line, under organized farm conditions in Tamil Nadu during the period from 2018 to 2020. Data were collected from 206 farrowings in LWY and 164 farrowings in KPM Gold pigs to evaluate parameters including litter size and weight at birth and weaning, as well as individual piglet birth and weaning weights. The results indicated no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the two genetic groups in terms of mean litter size at birth (7.58 ± 1.97 for LWY vs. 7.52 ± 1.99 for KPM Gold), litter weight at birth, or birth weights of male and female piglets. Similarly, individual weaning weights and litter weight at weaning did not differ significantly. However, the litter size at weaning was significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) in TANUVAS KPM Gold pigs (7.34 ± 2.03) compared to LWY pigs (6.39 ± 2.35), suggesting improved piglet survivability and better mothering ability in the crossbred group. The findings demonstrate that TANUVAS KPM Gold pigs perform on par with purebred LWY in most production traits, with the added advantage of significantly higher litter size at weaning. This supports the use of crossbreeding strategies to enhance productivity and adaptability in tropical pig farming systems.

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