What was the challenge/ problem addressed?
The Angler Saddleback pig and the German Saddleback pig are endangered livestock breeds. If they die out, genetic diversity will be lost with them, which could be important for breeding in the future. The aim of the project is to develop prospects for the economic utilisation of saddleback pigs in order to ensure the survival of the breed.
The focus is on optimising product quality while using resources as sustainably as possible and strengthening marketing options. To this end, various research approaches are to be pursued: Genomic analyses as a basis for the development of breeding strategies, studies on farms to obtain data for the evaluation of robustness and maternal traits, and the investigation of feeding concepts and fattening performance in conjunction with the optimisation of the profeed s feeding programme for roughage feeding. The use of roughage and the relationship with meat quality will also be investigated in feeding trials.
How did you solve the problem?
The project will involve the following in adressing the challenge:Genomic analyses as a basis for the development of breeding strategies, studies on farms to obtain data for the evaluation of robustness and maternal traits, and the investigation of feeding concepts and fattening performance in conjunction with the optimisation of the profeed s feeding programme for roughage feeding. The use of roughage and the relationship with meat quality will also be investigated in feeding trials.
What is innovative in your practical case?
It is an overall project with many different aspects; one is often linked to the other.
Prospects for the economic utilisation of saddleback pigs are being developed to ensure the survival of these animal genetic resources.
In addition, more attention is being paid to roughage feeding and the connection with meat quality in order to optimise this in practice in the best possible way and back it up with figures. Here the primary aim here is to increase roughage intake while minimising the use of concentrates.
What are the success factors in solving the problem?
The management team is very well organised and the project management group meets monthly via video conference,to continue working on the project results and exchange ideas. The farmers also take part.
It is very important to involve the farmers in the management of the project.
In addition, interesting side results are always being researched, e.g. that pigs that only receive feed probably suffer from stomach pain.
Unexpected fails, if any
Unfortunately, fewer pigs than expected were involved in the studies and it is difficult to to find comparable piglets of the same age.
In addition, some roughage had to be disposed of and could not be used because it was mouldy.
Another negative aspect was that during a meat tasting, it was found that the flavour of the meat did not show any clear improvement or difference.
Lessons learned
Good planning is very important, especially when it comes to budgeting. In addition, a successful project requires a high level of transparency from all project participants and all project areas must be involved.
Flawless and accurate work is absolutely essential in order to receive funding from the European Union (EAFRD) and the state of Schleswig-Holstein. We have come to realise that EIP projects are suitable for advancing the practice of agriculture.
Staying focused and open minded to welcome various ideas from the project actors including farmers are very important to keep the group going and stay motivated towards the achievement of project main aim.
What role does the advisor or advisory service play within the practical case?
- Pig advisors are deployed.
The counselling is divided into three work packages: Breeding, maternal health and robustness and feeding.
This includes, for example, analysing hereditary faults, continuously recording maternal health on the farms by documenting various parameters for each litter and the development of a digital planning tool (ProFeed S) for needs-based feeding. In addition, the current feeding strategies on the practical farms are analysed and finally
feeding recommendations in combination with the use of the ProFeed S software tool.
The usual consulting techniques are used, the current status is recorded and the consultant gives advice on possible improvements.
Can your approach be transferred and/or adapted for other innovation challenges and regions?
Yes.
Estimated transferability on a scale from 1 to 5
(where 1 is easy and 5 very difficult)
2
For sharing the experience on the good practice, please contact Götz Daniel (goetzdaniel@oekoring-sh.de)
https://www.eip-agrar-sh.de/eip-innovationsprojekte/3-call/sattelschweins
