Hermitage Maternal Lines - Maximum Reproductive Performance

Focus: Achieving over 30 pigs born alive per sow per year

The Hermitage Maternal Lines haev been developed since 1958, representing over 50 years intensive selection for improved reproductive performance traits. The introduction of the specifically designed Hermitage BLUP selection system in the 1990's and the addition of the female line mitochondrial DNA analysis, has resulted in further substantial progress in both the Landrae and Large White maternal line populations at our Nucleus Herds. This progress is being constantly disseminated to Hermitage customers worldwide, enabling them to benefit from these genetically improved breeding lines in their own commercial units.

The Consequences of Maternal Line Improvements for Hermitage Customers Worldwide

The substantial improvements in the performance of the Landrace and Large White maternal lines will be directly reflected in the performance of the Hermitage Classic 1 (50% Landrace, 50% Large White) females. The genetic potential of the Classic 1 female is the average performance of the Landrace and Large White sows at GGP level. This genetic potential is further enhanced by 8% due to heterosis which is created when the Landrace and Large White maternal lines are crossed to produce the Class 1 female. The following table demonstrates the real potential performance of the Hermitage Classic 1 female based on current GGP performance and heterosis.

Top Performing Herds using the Hermitage Classic 1 Females:

The Hermitage Classic 1 female has a reputation for high productivity. Continued dissemination of genetics from the Hermitage maternal line breeding programme is resulting in further continued improvements for Hermitage customers worldwide.