The effect of breed, sire and sex on the quality of carcass sides

Abstract

Investigation of quality variability of pig carcass was carried out on 1443 fatlings (gilts and barrows). They were progenies of 22 (Farm A) and 12 sires (Farm B), 5 breeds-crossbreds (Swedish Landrace, Large White, Duroc Hampshire, Duroc x Hampshire). Animals were fed with standardized feed mixture semi ad libitum. The quality of carcass sides was determined on the slaughter-line according to Regulation (1985). Investigation included following traits: weight of warm carcass (MTP, kg), meat in carcass sides (KMP, kg and SMP, %), total mass and ratio of leg+shoulder+loin (MFO, kg and UFO, %). Obtained results were processed using several models (Harvey, 1990) which included sire genotype, sire, sex progeny and mass of warm carcass (regression effect). All investigated traits varied under the influence of sire genotype (P<0.01) on farm B. The effect of sire genotype was significant (P<0.01) on KMP and SMP on the Farm A. All traits of carcass quality varied under the influence of sires. Gilts had higher KMP, SMP, MFO and UFO compared to male castrated heads. Difference in Total Breeding Value between best and worst boar was 10.41 (Farm A) and 11.24 index point (Farm B).