About us

The world's most innovative swine genetics company

Topigs Norsvin is renowned for its innovative approach in implementing new technologies and its continuous focus on cost-efficient pig production. Our focus on innovative breeding means we achieve higher genetic progress each year. This creates extra added value and new possibilities for our partners. Our genetic improvement is based on two major cornerstones: sustainability and efficiency. In our words: balanced breeding and total feed efficiency.

Topigs Norsvin is farmer-owned, with a philosophy of paying dividends through genetic progress. This means we generate maximum added value for our customers.

Topigs Norsvin provides the best service and support. A team of local and global support specialists advise and help partners. This enables producers to capture the full potential of Topigs Norsvin genetics.

Thanks to our local presence, we know individual needs and circumstances. This makes Topigs Norsvin the natural first choice for long-term partnerships for the entire pig industry. We take pride in working together with our partners to find new solutions and to help their business thrive.

 

Innovation milestones

2018

Delta Canada

Opening of this central test facility in Canada with IFIR and CT scanning technology further boosts genetic progress. Delta Canada is twice the size of Delta in Norway.
2018
2012

Genomic selection

Genomic selection, using DNA information to calculate the genetic relationships between animals, was implemented in our breeding program. Genomic selection provides much higher accuracies of the estimated breeding values and increases genetic progress. It also makes it possible to breed for new and otherwise difficult to breed for traits, such as disease resistance.
2012
2009

Boar taint

Topigs Norsvin starts with selection against boar taint. We were the first to do this, using a combination of DNA information, human nose score, and lab analyses of fat tissue.
2009
2008

Delta and CT scan technology

In Norway, the central boar test station Delta started. One of Delta’s innovative elements is CT scanning of all boars. The technology offers unparalleled precision of phenotyping for carcass quality traits. New traits could also be explored and selected for.
2008
2006

NIRS for meat quality assessment

Near-infrared spectrophotometer (NIRS) was implemented in meat quality evaluation, which provides higher accuracy for intramuscular fat (IMF). NIRS also made it possible to measure new traits, such as fat quality and fatty acid composition.
2006
2001

Breeding for higher piglet survival

With the unique piglet weighing protocol, all piglets are individually weighed at birth and/or at 21 days of age. It includes data collection on number of teats, foster sow, date, and reason for mortality of individual piglets. This program drives the unique and unparalleled selection program for birth weight, mothering ability, milk production, udder quality, and piglet vitality.
2001
1994

Commercial performance data

Start of CCPS program (Combined Crossbred and Purebred Selection). Performance data of crossbred animals in commercial production environments are used to predict breeding values of purebred animals in the genetic nucleus. The result is robust pigs with improved disease resistance that perform better in challenged environments.
1994