The effects of gender and slaughter weight on the growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality characteristics of heavy pigs1

• DOI: 10.2527/2004.822526x
• Publication Date: 2016-08-09T21:10:09Z
• Authors: M. A. Latorre; R. Lázaro; D. G. Valencia; P. Medel; G. G. Mateos
• Keywords: Large white; Longissimus muscle; Longissimus dorsi; Longissimus; Loin

Crossbred pigs (n = 192) from Piétrain × Large White sires mated to Landrace dams, with a mean BW of 75 ± 1.3 kg, were used investigate the effects gender and slaughter weight (SW) on growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality. Pens (eight pigs/pen) assigned randomly one six treatments arranged in 2 3 factorial design two genders (barrows or gilts) three SW (116, 124, 133 kg). Each treatment was replicated four times. Over entire trial, barrows had higher (P < 0.001) ADFI (as-fed basis) ADG than gilts; however, gilts 0.05) gain-to-feed ratios (G:F) barrows. Barrows lower 0.01) dressing percents produced fatter carcasses that trimmed shoulder 0.10) ham yields gilts. There trend for semimembranosus muscle (SM) have 45-min pH gilts, but 24-h 0.11 unit SM Gender no > effect moisture lipid content longissimus (LM), nor did affect LM color, myoglobin content, thaw loss percentage. However, cooking percentages tended shear force values Pigs slaughtered at 116 kg 124 kg. Daily feed intake not different among SW; G:F those Dressing percent, backfat depth, length, weights increased as The initial (45-min) kg; affected by SW. darker (lower L* values; P 0.001), redder (higher a* value; 0.01), more this particular crossbreed can be produce acceptable quality fresh pork when increasing more, decreased live pig performance leanness without any additional benefits attributes.