< PreviousIf you stand ring-side long enough at any livestock show across the country, you will probably recognize some familiar faces of various showpig operations. What you may not notice, however, are the women of those operations working diligently behind-the-scenes. These same women have helped build the foundations of their showpig operations and will continue to do so for generations to come.By Mikayln WhiteFoundationKatie Hoge, her husband, Mark, and their three kids walk their Grand Champion through the barn at the American Royal.DECEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE20If you stand ring-side long enough at any livestock show across the country, you will probably recognize some familiar faces of various showpig operations. What you may not notice, however, are the women of those operations working diligently behind-the-scenes. These same women have helped build the foundations of their showpig operations and will continue to do so for generations to come.By Mikayln WhiteFoundationKatie Hoge, her husband, Mark, and their three kids walk their Grand Champion through the barn at the American Royal.KATIE HOGEGood Hope, Illinois Katie has always been passionate about the livestock industry. “I was lucky enough to grow up on a farm and show livestock,” Hoge said. “Some of my best memories come from working on the farm with my dad. I knew that this was the life for me and I wanted to be a part of it.”However, Hoge said she did not know how lucky she would be that it would be such a big part of her life as she now owns and operates Hoge Livestock alongside her husband, Mark. “Mark and I have been married for 18 years,” Hoge said. “Once our boys got to the ages of showing livestock, we were able to start raising livestock on our own property in Good Hope. We started raising livestock – raising sows, farrowing sows, which has evolved into cattle as well.”With pigs as their main focus, Hoge said the main purpose of their operation is to raise livestock together as a family.“With the pigs we do it as a whole family for our boys. It is all about them, and that’s why we do it.” Hoge said it was important for their operation to be “low-key” because it is just about family and most importantly, they enjoy doing it together. “I do it all with Mark,” Hoge said. “Mark and I are a team with the boys. I help with the chores. I’m more of the chore person – feeding, cleaning the pens, helping with farrowing. Mark makes the breeding decisions, but I’m all hands on with organization and making it all run.”Hoge said because Mark travels a lot as a national judge, as well as coaching the Western Illinois Livestock Judging Team. It is important that she is able to take care of things when he’s gone.“He’s so passionate about what he does that I had to up my game and fi ll in big shoes,” Hoge said. “He has helped me realize I can do it because he relies on me so heavily. So, when he leaves, I’m juggling chores in the barn, my job as a technology director and getting the boys and our daughter where they need to be.”After receiving her master’s degree in 2011, Hoge said she also balances her job as a technology director for a large Midwest school. In addition to raising showpigs as a family, Hoge said her favorite part is the success they have had showing good livestock and breeding good livestock.“I think it’s so fascinating to bring home the pigs – that’s my favorite part – bringing home that gilt,” Hoge said. “It’s great going to the show, but my favorite part is going home and getting to breed her and seeing what she produces and working towards making the next generation better. That’s what we’re doing with pigs and that’s what we’re doing with our kids. We just want to keep making them better and better – both kids and pigs.”Hoge said she is really proud of raising her children in this industry and she enjoys every show they have the opportunity to attend as long as they are together. Most recently, the Hoge family was named Grand Champion Market Hog at the American Royal Livestock Show in Kansas City, Missouri.“Of all the shows we have shown at, if you made me pick my favorite, it would be the win at the American FoundationFemales“We just want to keep making them better and better – both kids and pigs.”– Katie Hoge21DECEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGERoyal,” Hoge said. “It’s where Mark and I met. It’s the beginning of where our story started. I am happy that our boys were able to win at a show that is of great importance to our family.”KATIE LEATHERMAN, Paragould, ArkansasLike Hoge, Katie grew up as no stranger to the show ring. After beginning to show nationally in 2004 at events like the World Pork Expo and the North American International Livestock Exposition, Leatherman enjoyed a successful show career until 2015 when she aged out. That is when her journey changed from showing pigs, to raising showpigs with her husband, Jordan.“The weekend after my last World Pork Expo, Jordan and I got married,” Leatherman said. “So, I immediately went from showing in the show ring to spending hours and hours in the farrowing house.”Leatherman said the transition was an eye-opener for her because she was only familiar with the show side of the industry.“It didn’t take me long to develop a new respect and appreciation for showpig producers,” Leatherman said.After they got married in 2015, Jordan and his dad only had 10 to 15 sows, Leatherman said. Today, Final Drive Genetics has grown from a hobby to a full-blown business that runs nearly 50 sows, she said. Recently, they moved their herd from Shipshewana, Indiana, to Leatherman’s hometown of Paragould, Arkansas. Leatherman said moving a herd that size across multiple states was no small feat, but it was important for them to be closer to their customer base.“Nothing compares to the wins that we help our customers experience,” Leatherman said. “We truly are a team, and when Jordan gets to check off a goal one-by-one with each win that we have, because of the hard work and effort we put in together each day, there is nothing more special than that.”Like Hoge, Leatherman has her own unique roles running Final Drive Genetics alongside her husband. “My most important role is during farrowing season,” Leatherman said. “Which I’m sure most of the other showpig wives would say the same, because small hands and patience are kind of a necessity.”In addition to farrowing, Leatherman said she does a little bit of everything like managing social media for FDG and the occasional picturing of baby pigs.“I am basically Jordan’s assistant or right-hand man,” Leatherman said. “Whatever he needs, I’m there. Whether it be ear notching, helping with weaning, moving pigs or sows around, or cleaning pens – you name it, I’m there.”Above all, Leatherman said her most important job is raising what she feels is the future of the industry – their little boy, Cullen. “Women don’t get credit a lot of times because we aren’t at the forefront of the operation,” Leatherman said. “One thing I have to constantly remind myself is that all the time we put in now, will be worth it in the future. At the end of the day, we’re doing what we love, together, and that’s what it’s truly all about.” JENNIFER LIVERMOREMedia, Illinois While Hoge and Leatherman both married into their current roles, Jennifer Livermore, of Livermore Swine Genetics, said she has always been involved in her family’s operation from the beginning. “It was just kind of something we started from the ground up,” Livermore said. “We were really diligent in the females we kept and worked hard – nothing really special to be honest. Just a hardworking family farm – and that’s the values we base it around – family values and doing something we enjoy together.”Today, she said her role in Livermore Swine Genetics is different than the norm for two reasons: she works away from home and she is a female. “My day-to-day task aren’t necessarily getting out there and breeding every sow or making sure the chores are done every day,” Livermore said. “That’s where my dad and brother come into play. They do a lot of the manual labor, and a lot of the intense things of the day-to-day operation.”Livermore said even though a lot of people relate her face to Livermore Swine Genetics, she wants to “give a shout-out” to her dad, John, and brother, John Jr.“[John and John Jr.] may not be what people deem the face of Livermore Swine Genetics, but they are what keeps the train on the tracks from day to day,” Livermore said. “Most importantly, they are Katie Leatherman, her husband, Jordan and their son, Cullen.“Women don’t get credit a lot of times because we aren’t at the forefront of the operation.”– Katie LeathermanDECEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE22Royal,” Hoge said. “It’s where Mark and I met. It’s the beginning of where our story started. I am happy that our boys were able to win at a show that is of great importance to our family.”KATIE LEATHERMAN, Paragould, ArkansasLike Hoge, Katie grew up as no stranger to the show ring. After beginning to show nationally in 2004 at events like the World Pork Expo and the North American International Livestock Exposition, Leatherman enjoyed a successful show career until 2015 when she aged out. That is when her journey changed from showing pigs, to raising showpigs with her husband, Jordan.“The weekend after my last World Pork Expo, Jordan and I got married,” Leatherman said. “So, I immediately went from showing in the show ring to spending hours and hours in the farrowing house.”Leatherman said the transition was an eye-opener for her because she was only familiar with the show side of the industry.“It didn’t take me long to develop a new respect and appreciation for showpig producers,” Leatherman said.After they got married in 2015, Jordan and his dad only had 10 to 15 sows, Leatherman said. Today, Final Drive Genetics has grown from a hobby to a full-blown business that runs nearly 50 sows, she said. Recently, they moved their herd from Shipshewana, Indiana, to Leatherman’s hometown of Paragould, Arkansas. Leatherman said moving a herd that size across multiple states was no small feat, but it was important for them to be closer to their customer base.“Nothing compares to the wins that we help our customers experience,” Leatherman said. “We truly are a team, and when Jordan gets to check off a goal one-by-one with each win that we have, because of the hard work and effort we put in together each day, there is nothing more special than that.”Like Hoge, Leatherman has her own unique roles running Final Drive Genetics alongside her husband. “My most important role is during farrowing season,” Leatherman said. “Which I’m sure most of the other showpig wives would say the same, because small hands and patience are kind of a necessity.”In addition to farrowing, Leatherman said she does a little bit of everything like managing social media for FDG and the occasional picturing of baby pigs.“I am basically Jordan’s assistant or right-hand man,” Leatherman said. “Whatever he needs, I’m there. Whether it be ear notching, helping with weaning, moving pigs or sows around, or cleaning pens – you name it, I’m there.”Above all, Leatherman said her most important job is raising what she feels is the future of the industry – their little boy, Cullen. “Women don’t get credit a lot of times because we aren’t at the forefront of the operation,” Leatherman said. “One thing I have to constantly remind myself is that all the time we put in now, will be worth it in the future. At the end of the day, we’re doing what we love, together, and that’s what it’s truly all about.” JENNIFER LIVERMOREMedia, Illinois While Hoge and Leatherman both married into their current roles, Jennifer Livermore, of Livermore Swine Genetics, said she has always been involved in her family’s operation from the beginning. “It was just kind of something we started from the ground up,” Livermore said. “We were really diligent in the females we kept and worked hard – nothing really special to be honest. Just a hardworking family farm – and that’s the values we base it around – family values and doing something we enjoy together.”Today, she said her role in Livermore Swine Genetics is different than the norm for two reasons: she works away from home and she is a female. “My day-to-day task aren’t necessarily getting out there and breeding every sow or making sure the chores are done every day,” Livermore said. “That’s where my dad and brother come into play. They do a lot of the manual labor, and a lot of the intense things of the day-to-day operation.”Livermore said even though a lot of people relate her face to Livermore Swine Genetics, she wants to “give a shout-out” to her dad, John, and brother, John Jr.“[John and John Jr.] may not be what people deem the face of Livermore Swine Genetics, but they are what keeps the train on the tracks from day to day,” Livermore said. “Most importantly, they are Katie Leatherman, her husband, Jordan and their son, Cullen.“Women don’t get credit a lot of times because we aren’t at the forefront of the operation.”– Katie Leathermanthe ones who I learned the valuable lessons from that I use every day.”Livermore described herself as the promotional task force behind Livermore Swine Genetics versus a day-to-day laborer.“My role is to handle the advertising and marketing – especially during this time of the year when there are a lot of pig sales,” she said. Livermore said she and her family really pride themselves on where they started and how far the operation has come today.“For me personally, this opened the door for me to not only be a face for the operation, but it allows me to be a face for other women in agriculture,” Livermore said. “I’ve had a lot of young girls come up to me at shows and chat with me and tell me they respect what I do and to me, that is defi nitely what it’s all about.” Livermore said she encourages young people, especially women, to “stick it out” when it comes to advice for the next generation. “Ever since I was younger, and started doing this, I’ve always kind of been second to a man,” she said.When they are at shows or sales, Livermore explained how people want to discuss hogs with her dad or brother, versus discussing it with the woman who plays just as big of a role in the operation. “Don’t get discouraged, is probably my biggest advice,” she said. “There’s a lot of times growing up in the industry that if I would have just hung my head, and threw in the towel, I defi nitely wouldn’t be where I am today.” Livermore said she would tell industry youth to “fi nd someone who inspires them, male or female, and absorb all of the lessons they have to offer.”“Never try to be just like someone else, and never try to be better than someone else. Just be the best possible ‘you,’” she said. “Others will value your authenticity, and soon the roles will change and you will become someone else’s inspiration.”With family as the focus of their respective operations, these women are continuing to build the foundation for the future of the industry. From farrowing, to marketing – and for some– raising the next generation, each one is confi dent in her role as a member of the livestock industry.Jennifer Livermore shows their Spot boar at theCPS Summer Type Conference.“Never try to be just like someone else, and never try to be better than someone else. Just be the best possible ‘you.’”– Jennifer LivermoreGET THE NUMBER. A Premise I.D. is required at all NSR showsFor a list of state contacts: www.nationalswine.com/library/23DECEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGEDECEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE24The data used in this contest is intended for educational purposes and is not the actual data for the pigs pictured. The fi gures accompanying the pictures will be used by our offi cial judges, however, to determine the offi cial placings. To enter the contest mail in the included form or visit nationalswine.com to enter online. Sponsored by the2019 NATIONAL PICTURE JUDGING CONTESTNational Swine Registry25DECEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGEEntries must be postmarked or entered online by Feb. 1, 2019DivisionsIndividual divisions include Junior, Collegiate and Senior. Team divisions include 4-H, FFA and Collegiate. Teams MUST consist of: 4-H and FFA – four total members (no more, no less); Collegiate – fi ve total members (no more, no less). There is NO MAXIMUM number of teams per school or club, but each team must have a different name.EntriesEach individual may enter only ONE time, either as an individual or on one team (i.e., cannot enter on both a 4-H and a FFA team). All team entries will automatically be entered as individuals as well. Enter online at www.nationalswine.com, or mail legible entries to: Picture Judging Contest, 2639 Yeager Rd., West Lafayette, IN 47906.Additional copies of this form can be downloaded at www.nationalswine.com. No reprints will be mailed from the NSR offi ce. Remember, this is an educational event. Each individual or team member must complete their own entry form, and only one entry should appear on each mailed form. This contest is open to all purebred seedstock enthusiasts in the United States. ResultsOffi cial placings, reasons and contest winners will appear online at www.nationalswine.com after March 15, 2019, and in the 2019 April/May issue of Seedstock EDGE. All ties will be broken by the highest score in chronological class order. First through fi fth place will be named in each division, and plaques will be awarded to the fi rst-place winner of each division.Offi cial Entry Form1234A1243B1324C1342D1423E1432F2134G2143H2314I2341J2413K2431L3124M3142N3214O3241P3412Q3421R4123S4132T4213U4231V4312W4321XInstructions 1. Rank the animals in each of the 10 classes listed to the left2. Mark the offi cial entry form (left) with the letter that cor-responds to your placing for each class3. Only one letter placing per classIndividual divisions: Junior division College division Adult division Name ________________________________________________________________________Address ____________________________City _____________State _____ Zip ___________Phone ___________________ E-mail ______________________________________________Team divisions: 4-H Team FFA Team College Team (4-H and FFA team must have four members ONLY; College team must have fi ve members ONLY)PRINT team members’ names: 1. _______________________ 2. ______________________3. _______________________ 4._______________________ 5.__________________________ School or Club Name __________________________________________________________Address ____________________________City _____________State _____ Zip ___________For offi ce use only: ________For offi ce use only: ________For offi ce use only: ________Enter online at nationalswine.com 2019 National Picture Judging ContestLetterClass 10Class 9Class 8Class 7Class 6Class 5Class 4Class 3Class 2Class 1Crossbred Market Hogs Grand Drive BarrowsYorkshire GiltsLandrace GiltsHampshire GiltsDuroc GiltsYorkshire BoarsLandrace BoarsHampshire BoarsDuroc BoarsEXPLANATION OF TERMS:EPDs:Backfat (BF): Expressed in inches, this EPD is a predictor of the difference in external fat thickness at the 10th rib. Animals with negative (-) EPDs for backfat will produce offspring that have less backfat at harvest than offspring of parents with higher EPDs.Pounds of Lean (LBS): A genetic predictor of pounds of fat-free lean adjusted to a 185-pound carcass, or ap-proximately a 250-pound live weight. This EPD is calcu-lated from the EPDs for Backfat and Loin Eye Area. A sire with a positive (+) EPD for LBS will produce offspring that yield a higher percentage of lean and have a greater chance of obtaining full value on a lean-based carcass grid.Days to 250 pounds (DAYS): A prediction of an indi-vidual’s genetic merit for growth performance to a 250-pound live weight. Animals with a negative (-) EPD for DAYS will produce offspring that require fewer days to reach market weight when compared to the offspring of individuals with positive (+) genetic values for DAYS. Selection on this EPD will produce progeny that aid in earlier building close outs.Feed Effi ciency (FE): Expressed in pounds, this EPD is a predic-tor of the amount of feed required to generate one pound of gain during the fi nishing phase of production and is calculated from the EPDs for BF and DAYS. Selection of sires with nega-tive (-) EPDs will produce progeny that more effi ciently convert feed to gain when compared to sires with higher EPDs for FE. This EPD can be used to genetically decrease feed costs.Number Born Alive (NBA): An expression of the genetic merit for the number of live pigs farrowed in a litter. Daughters of sires with positive (+) EPDs for NBA will farrow a greater number of live pigs than daughters of sires with lower EPDs for NBA.Number Weaned (NW): A genetic predictor of the to-tal number of pigs weaned within a given parity. Daughters of sires with positive (+) EPDs for NW will wean larger litters than daughters of sires with lower genetic values for NW.Loin Eye Area (LEA): Expressed in square inches, this EPD is a predictor of an individual’s genetic merit for 10th rib loin eye area adjusted to a 250-pound live weight.Animals with a positive (+) EPD for LEA will produce prog-eny with more loin muscle when compared to the offspring of animals with negative (-) genetic values for LEA.Wean to Estrus Interval (WTE): Expressed in days, this EPD is a genetic predictor of the number of days required for a female to return to a serviceable heat after weaning. Daughters of sires with negative (-) EPDs for WTE will require fewer days to return to estrus after weaning than daughters of sires with higher EPDs. This EPD is the most effi cient selection tool for genetic improvement of fertility and non-productive sow days.Sow Productivity Index (SPI): An economic index that ranks individuals for reproductive traits. SPI weights the EPDs for Number Born Alive, Number Weaned and Litter Weight relative to their economic values. Each point of SPI represents $1 per litter produced by every daughter of a sire. When sow effi ciency is the primary concern, SPI may be the most effective selec-tion tool for simultaneous improvement of maternal traits.Maternal Line Index (MLI): An economic index designed for selection of seedstock used to produce replacement gilts for crossbreeding programs. MLI weights EPDs for both ter-minal and maternal traits relative to their economic values, with approximately twice as much emphasis on reproductive traits relative to post-weaning traits. Each point of MLI rep-resents $1 per litter produced by every daughter of a sire.Terminal Sire Index (TSI): An economic index designed for the selection of seedstock for use in a terminal crossbreeding program. Animals selected for high TSI are designed to excel in lean growth and effi ciency from weaning to harvest. TSI weights EPDs for Backfat, Days to 250 Pounds, Pounds of Lean, and feed/pound of gain relative to their economic values. Each additional index point difference is equal to $0.10 per market hog. Actual Data:Weight Per Day of Age (Wda): Based on ac-tual weight and age, this measure is the weight gained per day of age averaged over the life of the pig.10th Rib Backfat (Bf): Expressed in inches, this is an actual ultrasound measure of backfat at the 10th rib and is adjusted to 250 pounds.Loin Eye Area (Lea): Expressed in square inches, this is the actual ultrasound measurement of the loin eye size at the 10th rib and is adjusted to 250 pounds.Intramuscular Fat (Imf): Expressed as a percent-age, this value is an ultrasound measure of the lipid con-tent of the loin muscle. Higher levels of Intramuscular Fat (IMF) are desired for meat quality based markets.Actual Number Born Alive (Nba): This value is the ac-tual number of pigs born from the dam’s parity when the pig was born and are measurements taken from the pig’s dam.Actual Number Weaned (Nw): This value is the actual number of pigs weaned from the dam’s parity when the pig was born and are measurements taken from the pig’s dam.Litter Weight (Lwt): This is the actual cumulative weight of all pigs weaned from the pigs birth litter.This weight is recorded on the pig’s dam and is adjusted to 21 days of lactation.Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System (STAGES™) – A genetic evaluation system provided to the members of the four breed associations of the National Swine Registry (NSR). STAGES™ utilizes performance records for numerous growth, carcass and maternal measures to predict the genetic value of each pig and its parents.Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) – An EPD is the best estimate of a sire’s or dam’s genetic worth, given the information available. It is the actual difference in performance a producer can expect from future progeny of a sire or dam, relative to the future progeny of an average tested parent. DECEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE26Entries must be postmarked or entered online by Feb. 1, 2019DivisionsIndividual divisions include Junior, Collegiate and Senior. Team divisions include 4-H, FFA and Collegiate. Teams MUST consist of: 4-H and FFA – four total members (no more, no less); Collegiate – fi ve total members (no more, no less). There is NO MAXIMUM number of teams per school or club, but each team must have a different name.EntriesEach individual may enter only ONE time, either as an individual or on one team (i.e., cannot enter on both a 4-H and a FFA team). All team entries will automatically be entered as individuals as well. Enter online at www.nationalswine.com, or mail legible entries to: Picture Judging Contest, 2639 Yeager Rd., West Lafayette, IN 47906.Additional copies of this form can be downloaded at www.nationalswine.com. No reprints will be mailed from the NSR offi ce. Remember, this is an educational event. Each individual or team member must complete their own entry form, and only one entry should appear on each mailed form. This contest is open to all purebred seedstock enthusiasts in the United States. ResultsOffi cial placings, reasons and contest winners will appear online at www.nationalswine.com after March 15, 2019, and in the 2019 April/May issue of Seedstock EDGE. All ties will be broken by the highest score in chronological class order. First through fi fth place will be named in each division, and plaques will be awarded to the fi rst-place winner of each division.Offi cial Entry Form1234A1243B1324C1342D1423E1432F2134G2143H2314I2341J2413K2431L3124M3142N3214O3241P3412Q3421R4123S4132T4213U4231V4312W4321XInstructions 1. Rank the animals in each of the 10 classes listed to the left2. Mark the offi cial entry form (left) with the letter that cor-responds to your placing for each class3. Only one letter placing per classIndividual divisions: Junior division College division Adult division Name ________________________________________________________________________Address ____________________________City _____________State _____ Zip ___________Phone ___________________ E-mail ______________________________________________Team divisions: 4-H Team FFA Team College Team (4-H and FFA team must have four members ONLY; College team must have fi ve members ONLY)PRINT team members’ names: 1. _______________________ 2. ______________________3. _______________________ 4._______________________ 5.__________________________ School or Club Name __________________________________________________________Address ____________________________City _____________State _____ Zip ___________For offi ce use only: ________For offi ce use only: ________For offi ce use only: ________Enter online at nationalswine.com 2019 National Picture Judging ContestLetterClass 10Class 9Class 8Class 7Class 6Class 5Class 4Class 3Class 2Class 1Crossbred Market Hogs Grand Drive BarrowsYorkshire GiltsLandrace GiltsHampshire GiltsDuroc GiltsYorkshire BoarsLandrace BoarsHampshire BoarsDuroc BoarsEXPLANATION OF TERMS:EPDs:Backfat (BF): Expressed in inches, this EPD is a predictor of the difference in external fat thickness at the 10th rib. Animals with negative (-) EPDs for backfat will produce offspring that have less backfat at harvest than offspring of parents with higher EPDs.Pounds of Lean (LBS): A genetic predictor of pounds of fat-free lean adjusted to a 185-pound carcass, or ap-proximately a 250-pound live weight. This EPD is calcu-lated from the EPDs for Backfat and Loin Eye Area. A sire with a positive (+) EPD for LBS will produce offspring that yield a higher percentage of lean and have a greater chance of obtaining full value on a lean-based carcass grid.Days to 250 pounds (DAYS): A prediction of an indi-vidual’s genetic merit for growth performance to a 250-pound live weight. Animals with a negative (-) EPD for DAYS will produce offspring that require fewer days to reach market weight when compared to the offspring of individuals with positive (+) genetic values for DAYS. Selection on this EPD will produce progeny that aid in earlier building close outs.Feed Effi ciency (FE): Expressed in pounds, this EPD is a predic-tor of the amount of feed required to generate one pound of gain during the fi nishing phase of production and is calculated from the EPDs for BF and DAYS. Selection of sires with nega-tive (-) EPDs will produce progeny that more effi ciently convert feed to gain when compared to sires with higher EPDs for FE. This EPD can be used to genetically decrease feed costs.Number Born Alive (NBA): An expression of the genetic merit for the number of live pigs farrowed in a litter. Daughters of sires with positive (+) EPDs for NBA will farrow a greater number of live pigs than daughters of sires with lower EPDs for NBA.Number Weaned (NW): A genetic predictor of the to-tal number of pigs weaned within a given parity. Daughters of sires with positive (+) EPDs for NW will wean larger litters than daughters of sires with lower genetic values for NW.Loin Eye Area (LEA): Expressed in square inches, this EPD is a predictor of an individual’s genetic merit for 10th rib loin eye area adjusted to a 250-pound live weight.Animals with a positive (+) EPD for LEA will produce prog-eny with more loin muscle when compared to the offspring of animals with negative (-) genetic values for LEA.Wean to Estrus Interval (WTE): Expressed in days, this EPD is a genetic predictor of the number of days required for a female to return to a serviceable heat after weaning. Daughters of sires with negative (-) EPDs for WTE will require fewer days to return to estrus after weaning than daughters of sires with higher EPDs. This EPD is the most effi cient selection tool for genetic improvement of fertility and non-productive sow days.Sow Productivity Index (SPI): An economic index that ranks individuals for reproductive traits. SPI weights the EPDs for Number Born Alive, Number Weaned and Litter Weight relative to their economic values. Each point of SPI represents $1 per litter produced by every daughter of a sire. When sow effi ciency is the primary concern, SPI may be the most effective selec-tion tool for simultaneous improvement of maternal traits.Maternal Line Index (MLI): An economic index designed for selection of seedstock used to produce replacement gilts for crossbreeding programs. MLI weights EPDs for both ter-minal and maternal traits relative to their economic values, with approximately twice as much emphasis on reproductive traits relative to post-weaning traits. Each point of MLI rep-resents $1 per litter produced by every daughter of a sire.Terminal Sire Index (TSI): An economic index designed for the selection of seedstock for use in a terminal crossbreeding program. Animals selected for high TSI are designed to excel in lean growth and effi ciency from weaning to harvest. TSI weights EPDs for Backfat, Days to 250 Pounds, Pounds of Lean, and feed/pound of gain relative to their economic values. Each additional index point difference is equal to $0.10 per market hog. Actual Data:Weight Per Day of Age (Wda): Based on ac-tual weight and age, this measure is the weight gained per day of age averaged over the life of the pig.10th Rib Backfat (Bf): Expressed in inches, this is an actual ultrasound measure of backfat at the 10th rib and is adjusted to 250 pounds.Loin Eye Area (Lea): Expressed in square inches, this is the actual ultrasound measurement of the loin eye size at the 10th rib and is adjusted to 250 pounds.Intramuscular Fat (Imf): Expressed as a percent-age, this value is an ultrasound measure of the lipid con-tent of the loin muscle. Higher levels of Intramuscular Fat (IMF) are desired for meat quality based markets.Actual Number Born Alive (Nba): This value is the ac-tual number of pigs born from the dam’s parity when the pig was born and are measurements taken from the pig’s dam.Actual Number Weaned (Nw): This value is the actual number of pigs weaned from the dam’s parity when the pig was born and are measurements taken from the pig’s dam.Litter Weight (Lwt): This is the actual cumulative weight of all pigs weaned from the pigs birth litter.This weight is recorded on the pig’s dam and is adjusted to 21 days of lactation.Swine Testing and Genetic Evaluation System (STAGES™) – A genetic evaluation system provided to the members of the four breed associations of the National Swine Registry (NSR). STAGES™ utilizes performance records for numerous growth, carcass and maternal measures to predict the genetic value of each pig and its parents.Expected Progeny Difference (EPD) – An EPD is the best estimate of a sire’s or dam’s genetic worth, given the information available. It is the actual difference in performance a producer can expect from future progeny of a sire or dam, relative to the future progeny of an average tested parent. 27DECEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGEClass 1 – Duroc Boars Scenario: Rank these boars as they would be utilized in a commercial operation to generate potential terminal sires to be marketed to fellow seedstock producers focusing on improving growth and carcass merit. Class 2 – Hampshire Boars Scenario: Rank these boars as they would be utilized on Hampshire sows to generate elite NJSA gilt prospects and boars to market at NSR Type Conferences. EPDs: -3.4 DAYS, +0.01 BF, +1.35 LBS, 139 TSIEPDs: -2.5 DAYS, -0.04 BF, +1.07 LBS, 123 TSIEPDs: -3.0 DAYS, -0.01 BF, +1.15 LBS, 130 TSIEPDs: -2.9 DAYS, +0.03 BF, +1.28 LBS, 131 TSIClass 3 – Landrace Boars Scenario: Rank these boars as they would be selected for use in a purebred operation that primarily focuses on producing Landrace females for the purpose of F1 female production. Class 4 – Yorkshire Boars Scenario: Rank these boars as they would be purchased by a showpig producer who plans to utilize these Yorkshire boars on his purebred sows to produce gilt prospects for junior exhibitors and fellow breeders. EPDs: +0.36 NBA, -0.15 WTE, 119 MLIEPDs: +0.37 NBA, -0.17 WTE, 118 MLIEPDs: +0.42 NBA, -0.24 WTE, 125 MLIEPDs: +0.30 NBA, +0.15 WTE, 115 MLIDECEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGE28Class 1 – Duroc Boars Scenario: Rank these boars as they would be utilized in a commercial operation to generate potential terminal sires to be marketed to fellow seedstock producers focusing on improving growth and carcass merit. Class 2 – Hampshire Boars Scenario: Rank these boars as they would be utilized on Hampshire sows to generate elite NJSA gilt prospects and boars to market at NSR Type Conferences. EPDs: -3.4 DAYS, +0.01 BF, +1.35 LBS, 139 TSIEPDs: -2.5 DAYS, -0.04 BF, +1.07 LBS, 123 TSIEPDs: -3.0 DAYS, -0.01 BF, +1.15 LBS, 130 TSIEPDs: -2.9 DAYS, +0.03 BF, +1.28 LBS, 131 TSIClass 3 – Landrace Boars Scenario: Rank these boars as they would be selected for use in a purebred operation that primarily focuses on producing Landrace females for the purpose of F1 female production. Class 4 – Yorkshire Boars Scenario: Rank these boars as they would be purchased by a showpig producer who plans to utilize these Yorkshire boars on his purebred sows to produce gilt prospects for junior exhibitors and fellow breeders. EPDs: +0.36 NBA, -0.15 WTE, 119 MLIEPDs: +0.37 NBA, -0.17 WTE, 118 MLIEPDs: +0.42 NBA, -0.24 WTE, 125 MLIEPDs: +0.30 NBA, +0.15 WTE, 115 MLI29DECEMBER 2018 | SEEDSTOCK EDGENext >