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A Comparison of Methods for Estimating Carcass and Empty Body Composition in Swine from Birth to 145 Kg.^1,2,

The Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and The Ohio State University, Wooster 44691

⁴ Request reprints from Dept. of Anim. Sci., The Ohio Agr. Res. and Devel. Center, Wooster.

Abstract

A study was conducted with 65 pigs to evaluate several methods for estimating carcass and empty body composition from 18 to 145 kg body wt. Carcass measurements, specific gravity and a method involving chemical analysis of the sawdust residue from sawing the carcass in cross sections at 2.54 cm intervals were evaluated. Prediction equations were derived from each of these measurements for estimation of carcass and empty body composition. The sawdust residue analysis procedure was the most accurate technique for prediction of carcass and empty body water, protein and fat. The ash component was not estimated accurately with any techniques evaluated. The relationship between specific gravity and carcass composition was highest in animals between 54 to 109 kg live wt. Of the several carcass measurements evaluated, backfat thickness was the best predictor of carcass composition, but was poorer than either the sawdust analysis technique or specific gravity. Carcass weight and composition were closely related to weight and composition of the empty body (ingesta-free). Consequently, prediction equations from carcass sawdust residue analysis estimated either carcass or empty body composition with approximately equal accuracy and were superior to prediction equatins that used specific gravity of backfat thickness measurements.

¹ Approved for publication as Journal article 127-82 of the Ohio Agr. Res. and Devel. Center and The Ohio State Univ., Wooster.

² Appreciation is expressed to T. Hartman, D. Hickman and P. Graham for their help in data collection, P. G. Althouse for assistance in carcass evaluation and to Dr. J. Holman for statistical analysis.

³ Present address: Farmland Industries, 103 West 26th Ave., North Kansas City, MO 64116.

⁵ Dept. of Anim. Sci., The Ohio State Univ., Columbus.