Dr Susanne Hermesch

Principal Scientist - Animal Genetics and Breeding Unit (AGBU)

Susanne Hermesch

Phone: +61 2 6773 3787

Email: susanne.hermesch@une.edu.au

Qualifications

DipAg (Göttingen, Germany), PhD (UNE, Australia)

Research Interests

  • Reducing variation of pig performance
  • Selelction for improved market value of pig carcases
  • Genetic foundation of sow body composition and feed intake during lactation
  • Genetic improvement of iron content in pork
  • Social genetic effects
  • Proof of profit - EBVs predict differences in progeny performance
  • Benefit cost analyses of genetic improvement strategies
  • Genetic evaluations of pigs using PIGBLUP
  • Coordination of the National Pig Improvement Program (NPIP)
  • Design of breeding programs mostly as part of commercial consultancy services.

Publications

Refereed Journal Papers

Amer,  P R; Ludemann, C I and Hermesch, S (2014).  “Economic weights for maternal traits of sows  including sow longevity.”  Journal of Animal Science 92 (12):5345-57  doi: 10.2527/jas.2014-7943.

Hermesch, S; Ludemann, C I and  Amer, P R (2014).  “Economic weights for  performance and survival traits of growing pigs.”  Journal of  Animal Science 92 (12):5358-66  doi:10.2527/jas.2014-7944.

Lewis C R G and  Hermesch, S (2013).  “Genetic parameters and phenotypic trends in the mean and variability of number of  stillborn piglets and changes in their relationships with litter size and  gestation length.”  Animal Production Science 53 (5):395-402  doi: org/10.1071/AN12202.

Bergsma,  R and Hermesch, S (2012).  “Exploring breeding opportunities for reduced  thermal sensitivity of feed intake in the lactating sow.”  Journal  of Animal Science 90 (1):85-98  doi: 10.2527/jas.2011-4021.

Gilbert,  H; Bidanel, J P; Billon, Y; Lagant, H; Guillouet, P; Sellier, P; Noblet, J and Hermesch, S. (2012).  “Correlated responses in sow appetite,  residual feed intake, body composition and reproduction after divergent  selection for residual feed intake in the growing pig.”  Journal  of Animal Science 90 (4):1097-1108  doi: 10.2527/jas.2011-4515.

Guy,  S Z Y; Thomson, P C and Hermesch, S (2012).   Selection for pigs for improved coping with disease and environmental  challenges: resistance or tolerance?”  Frontiers in Genetics doi: 10.3389/fgene.2012.00281.

Hermesch, S and Jones, R M (2012).  “Genetic parameters for  haemoglobin levels in pigs and iron content in pork.”  Animal 6 (12):1904-1912  doi: org/10.1017/S1751731112001310.

Jones, R M; Crump, R E and Hermesch, S (2011).  “Group characteristics influence  growth rate and backfat of commercially raised grower pigs.”  Animal  Production Science 51 (3):191-197.

Rauw, W M ; Hermesch, S; Bunter,  K L  and Gomez-Raya, L. (2009).  “The  relationship of food intake during growth and food intake at maturity with  lactation food intake in a mouse model.”  Livestock Science 123:249-254.

Hermesch, S (2008).   “Genetic relationships between composition of pork bellies and  performance, carcase and meat quality traits.”  Animal 2 (8):1178-1185.

Bunter, K L; Hermesch, S; Luxford, B G; Graser, H-U and  Crump, R E (2005). "Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) measured in juvenile pigs is genetically correlated with economically important performance traits." Aust J of Experimental Agriculture 45:783-792.

Hermesch, S (2004). Genetic improvement of lean meat growth and feed efficiency in pigs. Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 44: 383-391.

Hermesch, S; Kanis, E and Eissen, J J (2003). Economic weights for feed intake in the growing pig derived from a growth model and an economic model. Journal of Animal Science, 81:895-903.

Hermesch, S; Luxford B G and Graser, H-U (2000). Genetic parameters for lean meat yield, meat quality, reproduction and feed efficiency traits for Australian pigs., 3. Genetic relationships of reproduction traits with production, carcase and meat quality traits. Livestock Production Science, 65:261-270.

Hermesch, S; Luxford B G and Graser, H-U (2000). Genetic parameters for lean meat yield, meat quality, reproduction and feed efficiency traits for Australian pigs., 2. Genetic relationships between production, carcase and meat quality traits. Livestock Production Science, 65:249-259.

Hermesch, S; Luxford B G and Graser, H-U (2000). Genetic parameters for lean meat yield, meat quality, reproduction and feed efficiency traits for Australian pigs., 1. Description of traits and heritability estimates. Livestock Production Science, 65:239-248.

Tholen, E; Bunter, K L; Hermesch, S and Graser, H-U (1996). The genetic foundation of fitness and reproduction traits in Australian pig populations, I. Genetic parameters for weaning to conception interval, farrowing interval and stayability. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 47:1261-1274.

Tholen, E; Bunter, K L; Hermesch, S and Graser, H-U (1996). The genetic foundation of fitness and reproduction traits in Australian pig populations, II. Relationships between weaning to conception interval, farrowing interval, stayability and other common reproduction and production traits. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 47:1275-1290.

Kahtenbrink, S and  Swalve, H H (1993). Untersuchungen zur Erblichkeit von Leistungsvariablen der ersten Laktation von Milchkühen. Züchtungskunde 65:254-266.

Memberships

Member - Australasian Pig Science Association (APSA)

Member - Association for the Advancement of Breeding and Genetics (AAABG)