Danish pioneer in robustness and efficiency

At Danish Genetics, we chose a different path in 2018. Our breeding philosophy began to focus on robustness, we wanted to ensure that sows thrive under real-world conditions, and that piglets have the best chances of survival. Therefore, we invested heavily in traits such as sow longevity, health resilience, and piglet survivability, because we believe that profitability must go hand in hand with animal welfare and sustainable farming.

For profitability is not about the number of liveborn piglets, but about how to get the highest number of pigs to market in the most cost‑effective way. Here, low mortality, both among sows and piglets, plays a crucial role.

Years of Progress in Robustness

This long-term commitment has paid off. Today, our sows are stronger, healthier, and more resilient than ever. They deliver consistent performance across diverse environments, reducing losses and improving overall herd stability. Robustness is no longer a goal. It’s a reality.

What we have learned: Robustness as the foundation for efficiency

The past years have given us an important insight: After many years of focusing on efficiency, it has become clear that the most effective breeding strategy is to start with robustness.

This is how we have created a strong foundation of healthy, resilient animals and ensured that efficiency gains do not come at the expense of welfare or sustainability. This approach generates long‑term value for farmers and for the entire industry.

Farmers choose Danish Genetics’ strong pigs with high survival rates, while also achieving positive developments in efficiency for many years to come.

Shifting the Focus: Efficiency Without Compromise

With this solid foundation, we are ready to take the next step. Leveraging years of genetic progress, we are now fine-tuning our breeding goals to increase efficiency and growth, while maintaining the robustness farmers rely on. Two key changes illustrate this shift:

• Registered Number of Teats: By selecting for sows with more functional teats, we ensure every piglet has optimal access to nutrition, improving survival and growth.
• Number of Live Born Piglets: Adding this trait to our breeding objectives helps farmers achieve higher productivity without sacrificing welfare.

These adjustments reflect a balanced approach: efficiency where it matters, supported by the robustness that secures long-term sustainability.

Why This Matters

Farmers face growing pressure to produce more with less: less feed, less space, less environmental impact. By combining robust genetics with targeted efficiency improvements, we help farmers meet these demands responsibly. Our breeding strategy ensures profitability, animal welfare, and sustainability remain aligned.

Looking Ahead

The Danish swine industry is evolving, and so are we. Our goal is clear: to provide genetics that deliver healthy, productive animals for every farm, every market, and every future challenge. Robustness gave us the foundation. Efficiency will drive the next level of success.