Triple-Cross Pig Production

One of the developed breeding systems in the production of market hogs is the three-way cross (Figure 1). This is actually a modification of a three-breed crossbreeding where a carefully selected third breed (purebreed) is introduced as a terminal sire on the two-breed crossbred sows(F1). This is the most practical and acceptable scheme for the production of slaughter pigs. Its popularity among commercial and backyard pig raisers is attributed to the triple-cross pigs’ impressive performance (fast growth rate, good feed efficiency, and carcass quality). The improved performance of these pigs is a result of the higher degree of heterosis of both the sow and its offspring which is made possible by crossbreeding.