An animal is a complex organism and the proper functioning is like clockwork. Every gear is connected to another. Influencing one single thing, means that the rest will be affected too. Breeding can encompass: health, survival rate, meat quality, feed efficiency, egg quality, mothering abilities, social behaviour and more. Improving on all those traits together is not as simple as selecting for the ones you like most. It is balance we are after. For example, breeding for more piglets means making sure the sow has enough teats and milk production to raise all her piglets on her own. Which implies that we need to look at all traits. The piglets themselves need to be uniform to give them the best start so they can thrive.
If they eat and grow well, they will be able to withstand a possible disease or other challenges with ease.That, in a nutshell, is what balanced breeding is about.
Selecting and improving on all supporting elements is the most sustainable way forward. Or, as we like to say: better breeding today, for a brighter life tomorrow.
