11.6.5 Three-way rotation (crisscross) (2024)

This type of crossbreeding is not applied often in practical situations. Females of breed A are crossed to males of breed B. Their female offspring (F₁: AB) are crossed with a male of breed C. Their female offspring (F₂: 25 % A, 25 % B and 50% C) are crossed then with a male of breed A. Their female offspring (F₃: 62.5 % A, 12.5 % B and 25 % C) are crossed with a male of breed B etc. Alternately, in each generation males of breed A, B and C are used and crossbred females in all generations can be used to produce replacements. In such a cross, a large part (6/7) of the heterosis effect can still be exploited.

Source: www.globalswine.com accessed 22 July 2014