Effects of deep-bedded finishing system on market pig performance, composition and pork quality

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare effects of finishing environment on growth performance, pork quality and lipid composition of pork. Environments compared were standard confinement (CON) and deep-bedded semi-outdoor systems. The deep-bedded method employed in the current study was the use of hoop structures. Hoops are large, tent-like shelters with cornstalks or straw for bedding. Gilts ranging in weight from 59 to 71 kg were randomly assigned to treatments of Hoop (n 5 50) and CON (n 5 18) environments. Gilts were fed a two-phase dietary sequence, ad libitum for 45 days. Six gilts per treatment were selected for carcass composition and quality evaluation. The experiment was replicated a total of five times. Pigs raised in the Hoop environment gained significantly less and required significantly more feed for growth than pigs raised in the CON environment. Carcasses from CON-finished pigs were significantly fatter at the 10th rib, which lowered carcass percentage fat-free lean(FFL) and they also had greater loin marbling scores compared with carcasses from Hoop-finished pigs (P , 0.05). Significant replication effects were noted on beginning weight, live weight, carcass weight, percentage FFL, backfat, lipid content and adipose firmness. Carcasses from Hoop pigs had lower proportions of palmitic acid (P , 0.05), and higher proportions of oleic and linoleic acid (P , 0.05) in the inner layer of adipose tissue. The proportion of saturated fatty acid was lower, and that of mono-and poly-unsaturated fatty acid was higher in the inner layer of the adipose tissue of Hoop pigs. Variations in fatty acid composition and lipid deposition may have been caused by environmental temperature, since decreases in environmental temperature accompanied compositional variation of the adipose, leading to higher proportions of monounsaturated fatty acid and lower proportions of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid in adipose tissue, regardless of treatment. Volatile profile analysis revealed that adipose tissue of Hoop pigs had significantly higher amounts of 3-butanal and heptanal compared with CON pigs, which may be related to the amount of oleic and linoleic acids composing the adipose tissue. These data indicate finishing pigs in hoop structures allows for exposure to fluctuating temperatures, which may influence the growth of pigs, as well as fatty acid composition and firmness of pork products.

Influence of production system in local and conventional pig breeds on stress indicators at slaughter, muscle and meat traits and pork eating quality

“…In agreement with the present data, Patton et al (2008) found no effect of deep-bedded semi-outdoor housing compared with standard pig housing on pH1, pHu, colour, drip and cooking losses of pork. Accordingly, Millet et al (2005) concluded that indoor environmental enrichment or outdoor access for pigs had generally no impact on pork pH values.…”

Production performance, carcass composition, and adipose tissue traits of heavy pigs: Influence of breed and production system1

“…In agreement, Duroc crossbreeds reared in A and C systems exhibited a similar carcass fatness (Lebret et al, 2011), whereas fatter carcasses and higher IMF content were found in synthetic line crossbred pigs produced in A compared with C housing system (Lebret et al, 2006). Contrasted results have also been reported regarding body fatness of pigs reared on bedding or offered larger space allocation, with either greater (Beattie et al, 2000;Gentry et al, 2002) or similar (Guy et al, 2002) carcass fatness and IMF content in alternative and conventional systems, whereas reduced back fat thickness and LM marbling score were found in pigs reared in deep bedding compared with conventional finishing system at similar stocking density (Patton et al, 2008).…”

Research trends in outdoor pig production — A review

“…However, outdoor reared pigs weighed heavier on 140 days post-weaning. Different results were reported for gilts reared outdoors [ 17 ]. Given feed ad libitum , gilts had higher ADG and a higher feed efficiency (FE).…”

“…The difference in the performance of the gilts compared to the performance of the pigs may be the result of difference in sex and experimental periods. Patton et al [ 17 ] assigned the gilts to treatments of either hoop or confinement at 4 months of age, at which their weights ranged from 59 to 71 kg, whereas the pigs in the study by Gentry et al [ 16 ] were kept in the study from weaning to 112 days post-weaning. Furthermore, the latter study was conducted in Lubbock, Texas, whereas the study by Patton et al was conducted in Ames, Iowa [ 16 , 17 ].…”

“…Patton et al [ 17 ] reported that outdoor pigs had a significantly lower ADG (p<0.01) and carcass weight (p<0.05), but the lean meat percentage of outdoor pigs, calculated as the fat-free lean (FFL) percentage using the National Pork Board % FFL equation, was significantly higher. Furthermore, American pigs reared outdoors had lower backfat thickness measurements at the 10th and the last ribs [ 17 ], compared to the higher fat thickness found in European pigs reared outdoors [ 20 ]. The difference in rearing environments should be noted when comparing the results of outdoor reared pigs.…”