Preface to the Sire summary

National Swine Registry believes that the STAGES program offers the most effective, predictable genetic evaluation that is publicly available in the swine industry. We invite you to utilize the predictions to benefit your swine operation, whether you are a breeder or a progressive commercial producer.

This Winter 2002 edition is based on all performance data submitted to the National Swine Registry through October 15, 2001. Featuring the four major swine breeds, Yorkshire, Duroc, Hampshire and Landrace, it represents the largest database available in the swine industry. Trait leaders are listed for EPD's for backfat, days to 250 pounds, pounds of lean in a 185 pound carcass, number born alive and litter weight at 21 days, and index leaders are listed for a terminal sire index, sow productivity index and maternal line index.

This edition of the Trait Leader List features the top boars from the largest data bank in the swine industry. Nearly 37,000 sires have been evaluated, and more than 1.2 million records are represented in these calculations.

In May, 1998, NSR published the first ever multi-breed Sire Summary for the swine industry. It featured the new program, and just a few months later, all four breeds started evaluating their performance records with the same system. Added features such as a Pounds of Lean EPD, curvilinear backfat adjustments in the indexes, breed specific adjustments and variance components and a rolling base were incorporated. Again the STAGES program could be referred to as `dynamic' with the ability to flex and change as needed.

These changes, however minute, demonstrate the flexibility of STAGES, displaying the ability the program possesses to adapt to changing demands. STAGES has thus far delivered all that it promised, and will certainly be instrumental in leading the National Swine Registry into the 21st Century.

The National Swine Registry wishes to thank the NSR Genetic Advisory Committee, without whose guidance this summary could not be published. Committee members include Dr. Tom Baas, Iowa State University; Dr. Allan Schinckel, Purdue University; Dr. Ron Bates, Michigan State University; Dr. John Mabry, Iowa State University; Dr. Todd See, North Carolina State University; Dr. Ken Stalder, University of Tennessee; Dr. Maynard Hogberg, Michigan State University and Dean Compart, Minnesota. Their combined dedication has enabled NSR to greater serve the swine industry. We also are indebted to Dr. Donna Lofgren of Purdue University for maintaining and updating the STAGES web site each quarter.

For more information about how STAGES can work for you or for a free bound copy of the most recent Trait Leader List, feel free to contact the National Swine Registry office by phone: (765) 463-3594, fax (765) 497-2959 or email: nsr@nationalswine.com.

The latest across-herd EPDs for all breeds - January 2006

• Duroc
• Hampshire
• Landrace
• Yorkshire

What do all these numbers mean?

• Glossary of terms
• Introduction to STAGES
• Profit in Pork Production Through Breeding Programs and Genetic Evaluations - Article by Dr. Todd See

Details about the statistical analysis

• Formulas for indexes - revised October 2005
• Adjustments to the data - These are breed-specific
  • Duroc
  • Hampshire
  • Landrace
  • Yorkshire