Genetic Correlations Between Growth and Carcass Traits

North Carolina State University Swine Genetics Research from 2004-2005. Pig breeding is currently accomplished with estimated breeding values (EBVs) or expected progeny differences (EPDs) to improve growth rate and backfat thickness. However, an optimum selection strategy would be improved with carcass and growth traits in balance. Therefore, it is important to investigate the relationship between growth and carcass traits to determine if undesirable genetic correlations exist between them. The objective of this study is to estimate genetic parameters of growth and carcass traits that are average daily gain (ADG), days to 90kg (DAY), backfat thickness (BF), eye muscle area (EMA) and dressing percentage (DP) in pigs.