PIC is the international leader in providing genetically superior pig breeding stock and technical support for maximizing genetic potential to the global pork chain.

PIC combines quantitative sciences with leading edge biotechnology to develop non-GMO breeding stock that is focused on meeting the needs of its customers. This approach provides healthier animals that cost less to produce and provide higher quality products to consumers.

Operating for over 40 years, PIC's success is attributed to its thorough concentration and significant investment in aspects of genetics, technology and health.

A portfolio of global lines deployed to meet local market needs

PIC's genetic improvement program utilises the variation available in 17 different line populations worldwide. The performance of these lines, and the products derived from them, is measured in many different environments around the world, with the information collected in Genus's proprietary genetic database, PICTraq™.

These seventeen lines provide the foundation from which PIC is able to satisfy the local market requirements of pig producers and pork consumers. In addition, custom improvement programs have been developed for a number of our customers who seek further differentiation of their branded pork. Attention continues to be focused on genetic dissemination and the reduction of genetic lag which allows our customers to realize genetic value faster than ever before in their operations.
Advanced Technology
The use of DNA technology in conjunction with classical quantitative genetics is referred to as Marker Assisted Selection (MAS). Marker Assisted Selection further increases the accuracy of breeding value estimation and is particularly useful for traits that are expensive and/or difficult to measure, such as meat quality and animal health.
In addition to MAS, the program now uses sophisticated information technology to optimise genetic improvement. This proprietary technology allows PIC to maintain genetic diversity within our global lines and incorporate information on the performance of crossbred products in customer farms for making more accurate breeding decisions. This technology is all focused on one objective-adding value for our customers in the pork chain.
Health

PIC's approach to health

The aim of the PIC Health Program is to provide safe distribution of genetic improvement. The company works with customers and their veterinarians to deliver breeding stock or semen while avoiding dissemination of economically significant diseases into customer herds. PIC strives to have a Health Program where communication with customers and their veterinary advisers is open and honest.

Basis of PIC's Health Program

The PIC Health Program is based on the implementation of principles that have evolved since the company was founded in 1962. They can be grouped into four overall guiding principles:

1. Establish herds of high health status: All herds under the control of PIC's Health Program must be established in biosecure locations with the healthiest pigs available for the purpose.
2. Protect herds from disease introduction: All PIC herds are expected to observe PIC biosecurity standards which are some of the strictest in the industry.
3. Have surveillance and monitoring systems in place: With a priority of minimizing the risk of dissemination of infections to customers' herds, all PIC herds are continuously assessed for the presence of diseases, biosecurity breaches, and compliance with protocols.
4. Have contingencies in place: In the event a significant pathogen is suspected to enter the system, PIC has mechanisms in place for immediate and pre-determined action to prevent disease movement within the PIC system as well as downstream to customers' herds.

Why is health so important?

Diseases are very costly, and represent one of the most important contributing factors limiting expression of animals' genetic potential.

For producers, good health brings lower costs as well as greater predictability to the output of their production systems. PIC's Health Program aims at protecting and improving the health status of customer herds so the genetic potential of their pigs can be realized and counted on.

Aside from productivity and financial benefits of keeping diseases out of systems, it is just good sound husbandry to do so. Stockpeople do not want to see the pigs under their care suffering from the effects of diseases.