FERTILITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE SWALLOW-BELLY MANGALITSA

The aim of this research was to examine the reproductive characteristics of Swallow-belly Mangalitsa sows from a herd located in Srem, Republic of Serbia. This indigenous strain, known as the Srem black Mangalitsa, originated in the village of Buđanovci. It is a late-maturing breed with typically low fertility and small litter sizes but is valued for its high disease resistance, adaptability to extensive systems, and longevity. The study included 1873 litters recorded from 2015 to 2024, with yearly distribution as follows: 2015 (75), 2016 (117), 2017 (141), 2018 (189), 2019 (232), 2020 (258), 2021 (248), 2022 (265), 2023 (296), and 2024 (46). The analyzed traits included gestation length, number of live-born piglets (by sex), stillbirths, and total number of piglets per litter. It investigated how the year of farrowing and parity order affected the variability of the mentioned traits. The average gestation period was 114±1.78 days. The mean total number of piglets per litter was 4.15±0.96, with an almost equal sex ratio (males: 2.04±0.87; females: 2.11±0.95). The average number of stillborn piglets was very low (0.03±0.24). Both year of farrowing and parity had a significant effect on litter size traits (p<0.0001), indicating variability influenced by environmental and management factors. Despite lower reproductive output, the breed’s resilience and adaptability justify its role in sustainable pig farming. Understanding these reproductive traits enables breeders to optimize management practices and improve productivity while preserving the genetic value of this autochthonous breed.