Results of pig carcass classification according to SEUROP in the Czech Republic

Abstract

Pigs and dairy cows are the two main industries of livestock production in the Czech Republic (CR) and in the European Community (EC) as a whole. Of the total annual per capita meat consumption in the CR (81 kg), in the EC (92 kg) and worldwide (42 kg) pig meat accounts for 54% (43.5 kg), 47% (42.7 kg) and 39% (16.4 kg), respectively. Longterm forecasts indicate that the production and consumption of pig meat in the EC will slowly grow by about 3% to 4% by 2013. In accordance with the common agricultural policy reform, which is in the process of realization, increased attention will be paid to food production. Consequently, issues associated with the identification, classification and quality of pig carcasses will be of increased importance.According to Kirton (1989) pig classification is the most objective of the various systems applied to pig, sheep and cattle carcasses, because it is the animal to which it is easiest to apply objective classification methods. One reason for this is that it has more uniform fat cover than other species.The conventional method of pig carcass classification (FOM, SKG II) was analysed by Matzke et al. (1986), the AutoFOM system based on ultrasonic measurements was described by Brøndum et al. (1998), Busk et al. (1999), and the accuracy of FOM instruments used in on-line pig carcass classification in the CR was detailed by Šprysl et al. (2007) and others.The accuracy of the EU reference dissection method for pig carcass classification in four dif- The highest correlation coefficients are between QC and LM (r = -0.920), LM and FT (-0.900) as well as QC and FT (0.828), the lowest between FT and MT (r = -0.084). Quality class as the dominant indicator is influenced mainly by LM, which explains from 77% to 89% of variability in the case of linear regression. Among the eight methods of pig carcass classification the FOM apparatus was used the most frequently (46.5% carcasses) followed by the ULTRA-FOM 300 apparatus (15.6%), another apparatus (13.2%) and by the IS-D-05 unit (9.8%). In the statistical models used all effects (differences) are statistically significant because of the large size of the data set. The results from the separate evaluation of each cross-classified effect are that EV has the largest influence and yearseason and methods have a smaller influence. The time trend (42 months) documents stable CW and MT, a slight increase in LM and improvement of QC. The estimated results indicate the successful introduction of pig carcass classification in the CR after accession to the EU.

Associations of reproduction and health with the performance and profit of dairy cows

“…The longest calving interval was associated with the highest loss of calves and the lowest number of the total weaned calves per 100 cows (P < 0.05). Kvapilík et al (2013) reported similar findings that longer calving intervals (above the optimal of 400 d) decreased the average daily milk yield in the herd and smaller numbers of calves. For herds with a poor reproductive performance, Dono et al (2013) found that the economic advantage of shortening the mean calving interval by removing cows from the herd that failed to conceive was outweighed by the costs associated with the increased herd turnover.…”

“…Kvapilík et al (2013) reported that even as the average farm milk price in the Czech Republic during 2012 was 7.67 CZK/l milk, the average of the total cost was 9.14 CZ/KL of milk, and the total costs minus the indirect costs (i.e., the costs of rearing calves, the costs of manure disposal) were 8.73 CZK/L of milk. It is evident that dairy farms in the Czech Republic would be operating at a loss without subsidies (Table 3).…”

Dairy farm profit according to the herd size, milk yield, and number of cows per worker

“…In our study, the percentage contents of fat and protein in milk were the lowest in the highest MY group (protein 3.38 ± 0.03% and fat 3.84 ± 0.05%). Kvapilík et al (2013) have reported that the average farm milk price in the Czech Republic during 2012 was 7.67 CZK/L of milk while the average of the total costs was 9.14 CZK/L of milk. The average costs excluding indirect costs (i.e., the costs of rearing calves, the costs of manure disposal) were 8.73 CZK/L of milk.…”

“…Increasing milk yields leave the total cost per L and net margin per L relatively unchanged, but the increased milk output substantially boosts the herd's total profit (Buza et al, 2014). Kvapilík et al (2013) and Heikkilla et al (2008) found that the price movements for milk, the components in milk, and the production inputs can significantly affect the farm profitability and that the management should therefore adapt to these changes.…”

Economic Efficiency of Bull Fattening Operations in the Czech Republic

“…The average revenues per animal sold reduced by the percentage of death losses were either excluded or included, respectively) (Kvapilík et al, 2015). The return on costs determined for fattening operations in the report by Kvapilík et al (2015) was -3.3 % and thus by 1.5 and 10.4 percentage points higher (smaller loss) than those observed in our study for 2013 and 2014, respectively. In 2005, the loss calculated per 1 kg of live slaughter weight of bulls was 1.09 CZK (Kopeček et al, 2009).…”