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A note on the performance, carcass and muscle quality characteristics of pigs sired by Poland China and Large White boars

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

J. P. Chadwick
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
W. C. Smith
Affiliation:
School of Agriculture, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU
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Summary

Two Poland China boars were mated with 12 Large White females and two Large White boars were used on the same number of females of similar background. In the post-weaning period a trial was conducted to compare the performance of purebred and crossbred progeny given a grower's diet on an ad libitum scale of feeding over the live-weight range 28 to 66 kg. Breed of boar did not influence litter size nor total litter weight at either birth or weaning. Poland China crosses compared with Large Whites grew more slowly to slaughter (10 %) but with equal efficiency of live-weight gain. Cross-breds had higher carcass yields (4 %), shorter (3 %) and deeper (2 %) carcasses, lower depths of mid-line and internal fat (11 %) and larger eye-muscle areas (22%). Breed of boar had little influence on joint proportions and no effect on carcass cut-out value. The eye muscles of crossbred carcasses were paler in colour and had higher transmission values but drip loss from the meat was not different.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1973

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References

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