Breeding for enhanced natural robustness to disease

By Jenelle Dunkelberger It is vital for pigs to exhibit enhanced robustness to disease in order to thrive in current and future production systems. Robustness to disease is defined as a pig’s ability to maintain performance (or recover quickly) following exposure to disease. Results from our research trials show that there is a wide range […]
Diving into epigenetics

By Pedro Sá and Rodrigo Godinho The GEroNIMO project (Genome and Epigenome eNabled breedIng in MOnogastics) is a new project funded by the European Union. This project focuses on the in-depth characterization of the genetic and epigenetic landscapes of different tissues associated with key production traits, including semen production traits in pigs. Ultimately, GEroNIMO aims […]
Artificial intelligence meets artificial insemination

By Rodrigo Godinho and Ina Ranberg Topigs Norsvin routinely applies artificial intelligence in semen analyses to assist in the production of semen doses for artificial insemination. Sperm traits are assessed using CASA, Computer-Assisted Sperm Analysis systems, which is a standardized high-throughput phenotyping method that uses machine learning algorithms to assess the concentration of sperm cells […]
Topigs Norsvin line specific reference genomes help pinpoint new genetic variation

By Martijn Derks Within pig genetics and genome research, we usually rely on a reference genome which we compare to the variations within our breeding lines. However, using a single reference genome has its limitations. Unique genetic variations that are specific to our breeding lines but absent in the reference genome may go unnoticed. The […]
Rare (deleterious) variants identified at early stage in our lines

By Martijn Derks An important focus for us is to identify rare deleterious variants as early as possible. Identifying such variants early on allows for the opportunity to quickly select against such variants to improve both genetic gain and animal welfare. To achieve this, we use two primary approaches that significantly contribute to the early […]
Organoids are the future

By Lisanne Verschuren Organoids are organ-like cell cultures in a Petri dish. In our research, we focus on intestinal organoids from grower-finisher pigs. We collect adult stem cells from intestinal tissue and use those stem cells to grow organoids. This sounds a little sci-fi and, to be honest, it’s not easy. That’s why Topigs Norsvin […]
Improving nitrogen digestion to reduce greenhouse gasses

By Kristine Hov Martinsen Livestock products provide 34% of the protein consumed in human diets and make a significant contribution to the global food supply. Hence, efficient use of nutrients in animal production is important to accommodate human population growth, climate changes that generally hamper food production, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and uncertainties concerning global […]
Improving meat quality with NIRS

By Eli Johanne Gjerlaug-Enger Topigs Norsvin has routinely used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology in its pig breeding program for 18 years. In our experience, this method is very accurate and has generated considerable value for our clients due to sustainable breeding for high meat quality. From the outset, we trained our own researchers in the […]
Efficient genetics contributes to low carbon footprint

By Eli Johanne Gjerlaug-Enger The environmental sustainability of food production systems, including net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, is growing in importance. When it comes to breeding, we are in a fortunate position because there is large compliance between the breeding goal that gives the best economy and the breeding goal that gives the greatest reductions […]
Breeding for enhanced sow longevity

By Jenelle Dunkelberger and Torunn Aasmundstad Topigs Norsvin has selected for enhanced sow longevity for over a decade. Much of the data used to facilitate genetic improvement in our lines is collected at nucleus farms. Sow longevity, however, is not one of the traits measured at these locations. Given the need to continuously evaluate the […]