The Exponential Magic of the Closed Herd™ System

Performance and Disease Prevention

THE PRIMARY OBJECTIVE of the Closed Herd™ System is to lower the cost of production while still producing high quality pork. It is well known that disease problems erode profitability, and the best way to prevent disease from being introduced is to eliminate live animal introductions. Closed herd technology puts the control for the herd's biosecurity where it belongs, with the producer. This system, combined with Gene Marker technology allows producers to close their herds and achieve superior genetic performance and improvement. 

OUR ONGOING RESEARCH and closed herd production methods assure steadily improving genetics supplied directly from our Research Center to Babcock's Boar Studs. This direct approach allows superior genetic progress, which translates into reduced production costs, exceptional carcass quality, and increased overall profitability. 

Production and Indexing

THE CLOSED HERD™ SYSTEM consists of two key ingredients, genetics, provided through genetic marker semen, and indexing (performance testing). Indexing is a scientific method of ranking potential replacement gilts from the poorest to the best by simultaneously evaluating multiple genetic traits. Genetics and indexing work together to maximize genetic potential for lean gain feed efficiency.

• Sample indexing worksheet
• Sample indexing summary

APPROXIMATELY one percent of the females in the breeding herd are mated each week using maternal line genetics for the production of potential replacement gilts. The female offspring from these matings are measured, utilizing ultrasound technology for accuracy, as they approach market weight. Your technician (trained by us), will weigh each gilt, determine the age from ear notches, take two backfat measurements and a loin depth measurement. This information is forwarded to our Research Center, where it is evaluated using state of the science technology to determine each gilt's index. The highest indexing gilts are selected to produce the next generation of replacement gilts. After one litter, these females, and the balance of the breeding herd are used for the production of terminal cross market hogs. Terminal line genetics are used for the production of rapid growing, lean market hogs with 100% heterosis.

Genetic Lag

Most breeding programs are based on Pyramid breeding systems, where genetic improvements made at the nucleus level can take anywhere from 3 to 6 YEARS or more to reach commercial farms. The Babcock Closed Herd™ System can deliver improvements made at the nucleus level to commercial farms in only 10 MONTHS.  The average Babcock boar in a boar stud has been there less than 12 months.

Key Benefits

• Closed Herd Biosecurity
• Stable Herd Health
• Excellent Reproductive Performance
• Excellent Growth Rate
• Stress-free Hogs
• Excellent Leanness
• Excellent Meat Quality
• Low Genetic Cost/Market Hog

The result of the closed Herd™ System is rapid growing, feed efficient market hogs, stable herd health with low cost of production, and consistently high carcass quality.