Validating Genetic Progress for Commercial Success

At AcuFast, we focus on creating realized genetic value, which is built on three critical pillars: our genetic portfolio, commercial testing platform, and technology platform. Today, we'll take a closer look at our commercial testing platform and its crucial role in validating genetic progress.

The success of any genetic improvement program hinges on the validation of its progress. AcuFast's commercial testing platform is designed precisely for this purpose, ensuring that our program – and in turn, yours – achieves optimal success.

AcuFast utilizes test herds for both terminal and maternal lines, validating our purebred lines as well as crossbred performance. This comprehensive approach ensures that we assess the full spectrum of performance, allowing for the most efficient genetic progress.

Our Commercial Test Herd (CTH) measures, evaluates, and selects traits based on their true system value, with commercial performance driving the selection of purebred traits.

Sire Selection Process

The selection of sires for the test herd begins at the nucleus level. We assess their performance potential based on key commercial production traits using an index. Top-indexing sires are then tested through the CTH. For each sire, we conduct sire line trials, precisely managing factors such as nutrition, stocking density, and ventilation that could influence the performance of their offspring.

This rigorous testing in a commercial environment allows us to accurately gauge genetic performance. The sires that excel in both the initial index and commercial performance are selected to become AcuFast sires.

The Importance of Phenotypic Data

Phenotypic data – the observable characteristics of a pig resulting from the interaction of its genotype with the environment – is crucial to genetic progress. We continually invest in and discover economically important phenotypes. Without accurate phenotypic measurements on the farm, genetic markers and equations hold little value.

For example, we've installed feed intake monitoring systems in all our nucleus farms. These systems collect and measure feed intake data with precision, allowing us to make informed selection decisions based on detailed feeding information. Our investment in this phenotyping technology and others, like back fat ultrasound, enables us to make more accurate decisions than ever before, enhancing the reliability of our genetic progress.

Benefits for Our Partners

By measuring, collecting, and prioritizing data and traits that matter most at the commercial level, we ensure that our partners receive tangible genetic advancements. Our partners see this in:

• Predictable Performance: Reliable outcomes based on thoroughly validated traits.
• Financial Gains: Sires and animals that maximize profitability.
• Efficient Animals: Pigs that are more efficient, with higher survival rates.

Our commercial measurement system doesn't exist in isolation. It interacts with and enhances our other pillars of realized value:

• The data we collect in the CTH directly feeds into our genetic portfolio, helping make selection decisions.
• Our technology platform allows us to collect and analyze the data from the CTH to improve our genetic portfolio.
• The CTH incorporates advanced technology to enhance the precision of trait measurement, such as feed intake monitors and ultrasound for back fat.
• The CTH and technology platform enhance and validate the performance of our genetics, ensuring we achieve tangible genetic gains.

At the center of these pillars is the realized value you, our partner, get on your farm from all the investment, expertise, and power we put into these three pillars.

AcuFast's commercial testing platform plays a pivotal role in realizing genetic value. By validating genetic progress, we ensure that our program delivers the highest possible benefits to our partners. This commitment to thorough testing and validation sets AcuFast apart, providing our customers with genetics they can trust to perform in real-world commercial settings.