Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Carcass cuts and tissue composition were assessed in Bisaro pigs (n=64) from two sexes (31 gilts and 33 entire
males) reared until three target slaughter body-weights (BW) means: 17 kg, 32 kg, and 79 kg. Dressing percentage
and backfat thickness increased whereas carcass shrinkage decreased with increasing BW. Slaughter
weight affected most of the carcass cut proportions, except shoulder and thoracic regions. Bone proportion
decreased linearly with increasing slaughter BW, while intermuscular and subcutaneous adipose tissue depots
increased concomitantly. Slaughter weight increased the subcutaneous adipose tissue proportion but this impaired
intramuscular and intermuscular adipose tissues in the loin primal. The sex of the pigs minimally affected
the carcass composition, as only the belly weight and the subcutaneous adipose tissue proportions were greater
in gilts than in entire males. Light pigs regardless of sex are recommended to balance the trade-offs between
carcass cuts and their non-edible compositional outcomes.
Description
Keywords
Allometric growth Bisaro pig Dissection Fat Lean Meat
Pedagogical Context
Citation
Álvarez-Rodríguez, Javier; Teixeira, Alfredo (2019). Slaughter weight rather than sex affects carcass cuts and tissue composition of Bisaro pigs. Meat Science. ISSN 0309-1740. 154, p. 54-60