All aspects of GAP Genetics’ breeding system – production, breeding, facilities, management, data collection, distribution, research, analysis and selection – are designed to maximize the economic traits of commercial hog production.

The GAP Genetics program is maternally focused, with lines developed to maximize prolificacy, while maintaining durability, performance and superior carcass characteristics using the European Landrace and Large White breeds to create the maternal ‘English Belle’

Our large nucleus herds are genetically linked through in-house Artificial Insemination, environmentally standardized, and commercially relevant in design and operation. Information management and analysis is critical to identifying genetics that provide maximum improvement and optimal return to producers. GAP Genetics has created and implemented an exclusive database management and analysis system to ensure accurate biological data capture, integration and statistical evaluation of GAP Genetics’ extensive data sets. More than 10 years of reproductive and performance data is utilized within our evaluation program.

Real Time Ultrasonic technology combines with simultaneous calculation and measurement software to produce the ultimate in precise genetic evaluation. B.L.U.P (Best Linear Unbiased Prediction) technology is the most advanced method for evaluating superior genotypes. Breeding values are determined weekly by the use of this statistical technique and superior dam lines are selected on a Maternal Index to achieve the optimum reproductive traits without compromise to carcass quality and quantity. On the development of our maternal lines GAP Genetics individually performance tests over 13,000 animals each year at the nucleus level.

• Key traits: Estimated breeding values (EBV’S) are generated for birth weight, litter size, litter weaning weights, average daily gain, and backfat.
• Conformation and structure: Many genetic companies take soundness for granted. For GAP Genetics it is a priority.
• DNA profiles: Marker Assisted Selection (MAS*) is used to improve particular traits. The Halothane gene has been eliminated from the Nucleus populations using the Hal-1843 gene test. The elimination of the Halothane gene is beneficial as it reduces the susceptibility to stress and improves meat quality. In the near future, MAS is likely to be a common tool to improve traits such as meat quality, disease resistance and reproduction. GAP Genetics retains a DNA bank on all the individual animals’ performance tested in a year. In the future GAP Genetics will be able to compare a genotypes performance history with new DNA tests. Analysis, validation and rapid implementation of new genetic markers in GAP Genetics’ improvement strategies will be possible.

Research and Development

Our research and development teams consist of meat scientists, nutritionists, geneticists, veterinarians, reproductive physiologists, and commercial swine production experts. GAP Genetics has made a strong commitment to ongoing swine research, by developing alliances and relationships with some of the most world renowned swine researchers and institutions. The recent stocking and research collaboration initiatives with the University of Minnesota and the Southern Research and Outreach Center at Waseca, Minnesota, provides GAP Genetics with access to world class research facilities and programs. Maintaining our maternal focus as a company, GAP Genetics will continue its focus on gilt and sow development. There will also be many opportunities for meat quality, molecular, environmental sustainability and finishing trials.

Research Facilities

GAP Genetics has access to its own sow, nursery, and finishing research facilities, where extensive testing is done on the GAP Genetics genotype. The company’s facilities are designed to accommodate a wide variety of research in biological and economic performance, from conception to the consumer. Comprehensive trial work has been done on herd management, nutrition, and the influences of sow and terminal boar combinations on growth, feed efficiency, meat quantity and quality. Routine assessment of meat quality at the processing plant level is conducted.

It is not research for the sake of research. GAP Genetics believes that scientific study should focus on what works in the barn, and how to use genetic, nutritional and management tools to meet the day – to – day needs of modern swine production. Our company through its research and services are committed in closing the gap between genetic potential and on farm performance. Our established technical teams are focused on developing maternal lines and tailoring of the slaughter generation for customers’ needs. GAP Genetics’ research program can provide comprehensive research- tested packages to progressive commercial producers worldwide. Our dedication to the progress of the modern swine producer will ensure research priorities remain rooted in your economic success.