The present and the future in Hungarian pig production

Abstract

In this paper the authors give an overview of the situation in pig production in Hungary, and outline the tendencies to be anticipated. The analyses performed are based partly on the traits related to reproduction, fattening capacity arid slaughter value in herd book pig populations, and partly on quality classification results for slaughter pigs. The major genetic parameters for the various basic pig breeds are also outlined. On the basis of analysis of the series of statistical data it was ascertained that in the 1970s the conditions necessary for pig production of a high standard in Hungary were established. In the first half of the 1990s, due to social and economic transformation, environmental conditions deteriorated; thus, a transitional decline in the traits of lower h2 value (reproduction and fattening capacity) was observed in the nucleus populations. The standard of production with respect to these traits has now risen back to the levels characteristic of the mid-1980s. The genetic fundamentals for progress already exist, since, as the authors demonstrate, the genetic structure of the nucleus populations can now be considered the same as that of populations in the countries in which pig production is highly developed. Slaughter pig production in the period studied can be represented by a bell-shaped curve, its peak corresponding to the mid-80s. Between 1975 and 1985 there was continuous improvement in slaughter quality; however, this subsequently declined, partly due to the lack of a classification system and partly as a result of political and economic transformation. Following the introduction of the EUROP classification system in 1997 an improvement in slaughter quality’ was observed; the total proportion of slaughter pigs classified into categories O and P has now decreased to below 10%. With respect to the future, the authors express the opinion that no increase in pig population numbers should be anticipated. Breeding activity continues, and therefore steady progress with regard to the traits of high h2 value can be expected. There is likely to be only slower improvement in results for the other traits. Regarding the production of end products, further improvement in slaughter quality can be predicted, as can the establishment of value-proportional purchases prices in relation to the respective quality categories.