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Breed, Line, Sex and Diet Effects and Interactions in Swine Carcass Traits¹

Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland 20705

Abstract

Direct and interaction effects of breed (Duroc and Yorkshire), line (high- and low-backfat), sex (barrows and gilts) and levels of diet protein (20 and 14%) and energy (3.6 and 3.2 kcal of M.E./g) on swine carcass traits, with ad libitum feeding, were examined in a 2⁵ factorial arrangement of treatments. Each of 32 subclasses consisted of two pens, each with two pigs, all taken off test at 100 kg for slaughter.

Breed x line interaction effects were significant for most traits. Except for carcass length and rate of growth in trimmed lean cuts (LC gain), these interactions were apparently due to different lengths of previous selection periods in the two breeds. The usual differences in carcass traits were noted between the high- and low-backfat lines.

Breed x line and/or line x sex interactions were significant for all carcass traits except percent bone of ham. This re-emphasizes the need to consider sex effects in swine testing.

¹ The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of Dr. H. O. Hetzer (retired) in proposing and helping to plan the experiment.

² Nonruminant Animal Nutrition Laboratory, Nutrition Institute.