SUMMARY The authors compared several productivity indexes between conventional (CP) and "Specific pathogen free" (SPF) pigs. Age at 100kg body weight (AS), dayly weight gain (DWG), feed efficiency (FE) and lard thickness (LT) were evaluated. 42 conventional pigs and 113 SPF pigs were employed in the composition of the experimental groups. Feed, management and facilities were similar for both groups. Initial body weight averaged 30kg in both groups. Final results were compared by the F test. AS, DWG, FE and LT for CP and SPF groups were, respectively, 156.40 x 150.49 days, 897.78 x 955.19g, 2.39:1 x 2.17:1 and 13.95 x 16.13mm. There were significam differences between the achieved averages for each of the parameters studied, a fact which confirms the productivity superiority of the SPF group in relation to the conventional swine group. Such data mentioned that the use of this technology represents a viable and rewarding alternative to be employed in the swine production.
conventional pigs; SPF pigs; productivity
