The aim of this work was to estimate selection response for performance traits average daily gain (ADG), off-test age (A95) and number of days on test (ND95), to reach 95 kg of live weight, evaluated for Landrace (LD), Large White (LW), and Pietrain (PT) breeds, in a nucleus herd. Breeding values were predicted using mixed model methodology. Estimates of response were determined using Weighted Least Squares method. The estimates were favourable for three breeds and both sex. For ADG these were, respectively for females and males, of 9.0 and 9.5 g/day/year for LD, 5.9 and 6.2 g/day/year for LW, and 6.6 and 7.3 g/day/year for PT. In the same way, for A95 these were of -0.52 and -0.55 day/year for LD, and -0.98 and -1.14 days/year for PT. Non significative linear effects were estimated for this trait at both sex of LW breed. Finally, for ND95 these were of -0.98 and -1.02 days/year for LD, -0.74 and -0.77 day/year for LW, and -0.82 and -0.88 day/year for PT. These results suggest that the selection program applied at this nucleus is effective, and probably it is reflecting on whole production system.
average daily gain; genetic trend; number of days on test; off-test age
