Pig Improvement Research Programs Using Genomic Tools in Korea

The Swine Industry is an important sector in Korea that has been characterized by an annual increase in pork consumption. The Industry is ranked second best in the country’s agricultural production value chain. Despite this, the productivity of the Swine Industry in Korea has remained significantly lower in comparison to other major Swine producing nations. South Korea has had two methods of swine testing, farm and station testing, running concurrently since the 1970s. When compared to major swine producing nations, the swine improvement program in Korea has been limited to a few traits and fails to provide sufficient information to effect major swine genetic improvement on farms. To address the problem, Korea has built an improved pig network system that enhances sharing of swine genetics across farms. This system enhances genetic relations between swine in different sites and increases test units for use in genetic improvement programs. Some Great Grand Parent (GGP) farms have also come together to enhance swine genetic improvement through the implementation of a genomics selection program. Efforts of GGP farms in swine genomics selection are expected to be visible in the near future.