Effects of feeding strategies, genotypes, sex, and birth weight on carcass and meat quality traits under organic pig production conditions

Abstract

a b s t r a c tNutrient supply in organic pig production is characterized by limited amino acids (AA) availability due to the preferable use of home-grown feedstuffs and restrictions on purchased feedstuffs. This can cause large variations in the quality of diets, carcasses, and pork. The objective of two feeding trials was to assess the interactions between feeding regimes, genotype, and birth weight on carcass and pork quality. A control regime was compared with two feeding regimes that were partly (only in the finishing phase (FIN)) or both in the growing and finishing phase (GRO + FIN) restricted to home-grown feedstuffs, thus differing in AA supply. Using an isocaloric ration, individually housed pigs differing in genotype (Experiment 1) or birth weight (Experiment 2) were allocated to the three feeding regimes.The highest daily live weight gain, the best feed conversion, and the highest values for performance traits and meat composition were achieved by Du × DL pigs, while the highest carcass yield was achieved by Pi × (DL × DE) pigs. In Experiment 1, performance traits were significantly higher in the control feeding regime than in the GRO + FIN treatment, with the feeding regime FIN being intermediate. Lean meat percentage was significantly lower in the GRO + FIN feeding regime than in the control while the fat area was not influenced by feeding regime. Intramuscular fat content was higher under the GRO + FIN feeding regime without AA supplementation than in the control. In Experiment 2, birth weight showed no significant effect on carcass yield, carcass traits and meat composition, but affected growth rate. Performance traits were highest in the control, while meat composition was best in the GRO + FIN treatment, confirming results of Experiment 1. Exclusion of AA supplementation in the feeding regime reduced growth but increased intramuscular fat content (IMF). The feeding regime was the main source of variation for intramuscular fat content in the longissimus muscle. Organic pig production can yield high quality pork, but information on feed, feed intake, and pig characteristics is important to steer the production process.

Factors affecting the daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio of pigs in grow-finishing units: the case of a company

“…Sundrum et al [29] and Brustolini and Fontes [30] showed that due to the lower feed intake, females require approximately six days extra to reach the slaughter weight of 120 kg.…”

Effect of including sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas Lam) meal in finishing pig diets on growth performance, carcass traits and pork quality

“…Lower dietary CP and lysine concentrations have been associated with higher IMF in pork (Sundrum et al . ; Apple ; Urriola et al . ; Maeda et al .…”

“…Sundrum (2005) has reported that certain diets may increase the IMF of pork without affecting carcass BFT. Lower dietary CP and lysine concentrations have been associated with higher IMF in pork (Sundrum et al 2011;Apple 2013;Urriola et al 2013;Maeda et al 2014). Wu (1980) reported that N and ash concentrations of meat from pigs fed basal diets supplemented with sweet potato chips (0, 1% and 2% of BW) decreased, while ether extract and energy did not change.…”

Characterization and influence of production factors on growing and finishing pig farms in Brazilian cooperatives

“…They found that castrated males showed a worse FCR, 10.6% and 7.0% higher than intact males and females, respectively, confirming that castrated males develop greater feed intake; however, they have worse feed efficiency and less deposition of lean meat (Brustolini and Fontes, 2014). Although the females present better FCR compared with castrated males, recent studies have shown a DFI deficit for them, which requires an increase around six days to reach the same slaughter weight of males (Sundrum et al, 2011;Brustolini and Fontes, 2014).…”