Comparative voluntary feed intakes, growth performance, carcass composition, and meat quality of Large White, Landrace, and Duroc pigs

Abstract

The performances of Large White (27), Landrace (27), and Duroc (27) gilts on an ad libitum feeding regime were compared over the liveweight range 25-85 kg. Landrace gilts had the highest voluntary feed intakes; and the appetite of Durocs exceeded that of Large Whites, but only at ~ 65 kg liveweight. The breeds did not differ in growth rate, but Landrace gilts had higher feed conversion ratios and carcasses of lower lean content than the Duroc and Large White gilts which were similar in these traits. Landrace carcasses had a relatively lower proportion of bone and the three breeds had similar carcass lean: bone ratios. Duroc gilts had the highest killing-out percentages and Large Whites the lowest, but the breed differences were not significant. There were only small breed differences in joint proportions of the carcass and no breed effect on the distribution of lean tissue. A proportion of Duroc and Landrace carcasses had pale, soft, exudative musculature but the condition was not found in the Large Whites.

Evaluation of the Duroc in comparison with the Landrace and Large White as a terminal sire of crossbred pigs slaughtered at 85 kg liveweight

“…However, this effect Was not observed in the extension of the study of Sutherland et al (1984) conducted by Simpson et al (1987) or in the analysis offarm data here where the pigs were on arestricted feeding regimen. Furthermore, relative to other breeds, a large 'eye muscle' area in crosssection is not a notable feature of the Duroc breed (Smith & Pearson 1986,1987. Directmeasurements of carcass composition were not available for the present study.…”

“…Differences in killing-out percentage in favour )f Duroc crosses over those sired by Large White or Landrace boars have also been recorded on ad ribitumfeeding, but they have generally been smaller than obtained on restricted feeding and not statistically significant (Sutherland et al 1984;Simpsonetal.1987). The Dutochas a higher killingJut percentage than either the Large White or Landrace (Chadwick et al 1980;Smith & Pearson 1986, 1987 which arises, at least in part, from a lower weight of viscera. As killing-out percentage is )f moderate heritability it is to be expected that ;rossbreds incorporating the breed would show intermediate inheritance (Bichard & Smith 1972).…”

“…Procedure at slaughter and method of obtaining carcass measurements were the same as those described by Smith & Pearson (1986).…”

“…The American Duroc pig breed, arecentintroduction into New Zealand, is less prolific as a purebred than the improved white breeds (Johnson & Omvedt 1973;Young et al 1976;Bereskin & Frobish 1982' Yen et al 1987) but is noted for its fast growth rat~ (Young et al 1976;Bereskin & Frobish 1982' Bereskin 1983, high dressing-out percentag~ (Chadwick et al 1980;Smith & Pearson 1986), and (possibly) also a high carcass lean content (Bereskin & Frobish 1982;Smith & Pearson 1986). Its potential would appear, therefore, to be in the sire line of a crossbreeding scheme.…”

Comparison of methodologies for assessment of pork loin eye area

“…Among carcass measurements, the loin eye area (LEA) is a strong indicator of carcass quality and carcass composition (Smith and peaRSon, 1986;mCLaRen et al, 1987). The determination of LEA is one of the most common methods for assessing the quality of carcass.…”