An update of the predicted lean yield equation for the Destron PG-100 optical grading probe

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Objectives of this research were to compare carcass characteristics, carcass cutting yields, and meat quality for market barrows and market gilts. Commercially-sourced carcasses from 168 market barrows and 175 market gilts weighing an average of 107.44 ± 7.37 kg were selected from 17 different slaughter groups representing approximately 3,950 carcasses. Each group was sorted into percentiles based on hot carcass weight with an equal number of barrows and gilts selected from each quartile so that weight minimally confounded parameters of interest. Carcass lean yield was determined for carcasses following fabrication (i.e., dissection of lean, fat, and bone tissue components) and meat quality measurements were evaluated at the time of fabrication (24-72 hours post-mortem) and following 14-days of post-mortem storage. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design with carcass serving as the experimental unit, sex (barrow or gilt), the three hot carcass weight quantiles [Light (< 104 kg); Average (104 – 110 kg); Heavy (> 110 kg)], and the interaction between sex and hot carcass weight quantile serving as fixed effects, and producer nested within slaughter event serving as a random effect. Results from the study demonstrated that gilt carcasses were leaner (3 mm less backfat thickness; 3.5 cm 2 greater loin muscle area, 1.52% greater merchandized-cut yield, and 2.92% greater dissected carcass lean yield; P < 0.01) than barrow carcasses, while loins from barrows were higher quality (0.43% more intramuscular fat and slightly less shear force; P < 0.01) than loins from gilts. While this study confirms the well-known biological principle that barrow carcasses have greater levels of fat deposition and lower levels of carcass leanness when compared with gilt carcasses, this study provides a much-needed quantification of these differences for the commercial industry that will undoubtedly be useful as new technologies emerge in upcoming years.

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A comparison of carcass characteristics, carcass cutting yields, and meat quality of barrows and gilts

Bohrer

Dorleku

Campbell

et al. 2023

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“…The grading probe was inserted perpendicularly at the grading site between the third and fourth last ribs, 7 cm off the split line according to Canadian grading standards ( Pomar and M. Marcoux, 2003 ). Backfat thickness and muscle depth (i.e., loin depth) measurements were used to obtain the predicted lean yield value for each carcass using the following equation ( Bohrer et al, 2023 ):…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of dietary net energy on grow-finish performance and carcass characteristics of male market pigs managed with immunological castration (Improvest)

Bohrer,

Wang,

Landero

et al. 2024

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The objective was to determine the effects of dietary net energy (NE) during the grow-finish period on live performance and carcass characteristics of intact male pigs managed with immunological castration (Improvest®) compared with physically castrated (PC) male pigs. The 101-day study began when 1,008 pigs (504 intact male pigs and 504 PC male pigs; 10 weeks old) were allocated by weight to 48 pens with 21 intact males or 21 PC males per pen. Three dietary NE treatments were fed to pigs using five dietary phases (dietary programs were formulated according to standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements of Improvest males or PC males) to provide an average of 2,212 kcal/kg (Low NE), 2,337 kcal/kg (Medium NE), or 2,462 kcal/kg (High NE). The experiment was designed and analyzed as a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of Improvest management and NE. For the overall study period, there were no significant interactions between Improvest management and NE (P ≥ 0.19) for average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), or Gain:Feed (G:F). There were also no significant interactions between Improvest management and NE (P ≥ 0.06) for carcass characteristics. Improvest males consumed less feed (5.3% lower ADFI; P < 0.01), grew faster (5.1% greater ADG; P < 0.01), and were more efficient (11.2% greater G:F; P < 0.01) compared with PC males. Hot carcass weight (HCW) did not differ (P = 0.16) between Improvest males and PC males (attributed to 1.6 percentage unit lower dressing percentage for Improvest males; P < 0.01); however, Improvest males were leaner (0.9 mm less backfat and 0.65% greater predicted lean yield; P < 0.01) compared with PC males. For the overall study period, pigs fed Low NE and Medium NE diets consumed 7.5% and 4.6% more feed (P < 0.01) than pigs fed High NE diets, respectively, and pigs fed Low NE diets grew 1.7% slower (P < 0.02) than pigs fed Medium NE and High NE diets. This resulted in pigs fed Low NE diets having 4.4% lower G:F compared with pigs fed Medium NE and 8.6% lower G:F compared with pigs fed High NE diets (P < 0.01). Pigs fed Low NE had 3.0 kg lighter (P < 0.01) HCW compared with Medium NE, while High NE had intermediate HCW that did not differ from the other two treatments. Overall, typical Improvest response levels for live performance and carcass characteristics when compared with PC males were achieved for each of the NE treatments evaluated in this study.

The effects of dietary net energy on grow-finish performance and carcass characteristics of market gilts managed with immunological suppression of ovarian function and estrus (Improvest)

Bohrer,

Wang,

Landero

et al. 2024

The objective was to determine the effects of net energy (NE) during the grow-finish period on live performance and carcass characteristics of market gilts managed with immunological suppression of ovarian function and estrus (Improvest®; IMP) compared with market gilts not managed with Improvest (CON). The 104-day study began when 1,008 gilts (11 weeks old; average starting weight of 30.8 kg) were allocated by weight to 48 pens with 21 gilts per pen. Half of the pens were randomly selected to be managed with Improvest while the other half of the pens were not managed with Improvest. Three dietary programs differing in their NE were formulated over five dietary phases (according to standardized ileal digestible lysine requirements) to provide an average of 2,218 kcal/kg (Low NE), 2,343 kcal/kg (Medium NE), or 2,468 kcal/kg (High NE). The experiment was designed as a 2 × 3 factorial with main effects of Improvest management and NE. For the overall study period, there were no significant interactions (P ≥ 0.20) for average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), or Gain:Feed (G:F). There were also no significant interactions between Improvest management and NE (P ≥ 0.30) for carcass characteristics. However, IMP gilts consumed more feed (6.8% greater ADFI; P < 0.01), grew faster (5.0% greater ADG; P < 0.01), were less efficient (1.8% lower G:F; P < 0.01), heavier (3.5 kg hot carcass weight; P < 0.01), and fatter (1.9 mm greater backfat thickness and 1.26% less predicted lean carcass yield; P < 0.01). No difference (P = 0.21) in carcass dressing percentage between IMP and CON gilts was reported. For the overall study period, gilts fed Low NE and Medium NE diets consumed more feed compared with gilts fed High NE diets (6.8% more ADFI for Low NE and 5.7% more for Medium NE; P < 0.01), and gilts fed Low NE diets grew 2.5% slower (P < 0.01) than gilts fed Medium NE diets, while gilts fed High NE diets were intermediate and not different from the other NE treatments. This resulted in gilts fed Low NE diets being the least efficient (3.8% lower G:F than Medium NE and 7.1% lower G:F than High NE; P < 0.01). Overall, these data indicate that typical Improvest response levels were sustained at each of the NE treatments evaluated in this study as there were no significant interactions for Improvest management and NE; however, consideration should still be provided to the known production impacts of low NE diets.