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Relationship between Feeder Pig Frame Size and Market Hog Characteristics¹

University of Missouri, Columbia 65211

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the relationship between feeder pig frame size and market hog characteristics. For Exp. 1, 96 feeder pigs were selected for a 3 x 2 x 4 factorial with three frame sizes (large, medium and small), two sexes (barrows and gilts) and four weight endpoints (93, 100, 106.5 and 113.4 kg). Experiment II was conducted with 95 barrows in a 3 x 2 x 3 factorial using three frame sizes (large, medium and small), two capacity scores (low and high) and three slaughter endpoints (100, 106.5 and 113.4 kg). Feeder pigs were measured for skeletal dimensions. Pigs were slaughtered within 2.3 kg of their predetermined weight endpoint. One side was processed into wholesale cuts, and the four lean cuts were separated into lean, fat and bone. The separable lean from the four lean cuts and the skinless belly were separately ground and chemically analyzed for protein, moisture and fat. Feeder pig frame size affected (P<,05) feeder pig leg length, body length, body depth, last rib backfat, carcass length, radius length, carcass heart girth and percent bone. However, these differences were not consistent across experiments and in some instances interactions of sex and slaughter weight with frame score were involved. Gilts were leaner, had larger longissimus muscles and longer carcasses than barrows (P<.05). Low-capacity feeder pigs were longer bodjed and taller than high-capacity feeder pigs; however, they were similar in body width, body depth and heart girth. High-capacity pigs had shorter carcasses and larger longissimus muscles than low-capacity pigs (P<.05). No differences were observed in growth between high- and low-capacity pigs or among frame sizes. Results from this study indicate that evaluators can predict skeletal traits from feeder pig characteristics, but were less able to predict slaughter hog growth or carcass composition.

¹ Contribution from the Missouri Agric. Exp. Sta. Journal Ser. No. 10268. This research was supported by the USDA Agric. Marketing Serv. and the Missouri Dept. of Agric. under the Federal-State Marketing Improvement Program.

² Dept of Anim. Sci., Univ. of Missouri, Columbia.

³ Dept. of Food Sci. and Nutr., Univ. of Missouri, Columbia.

⁴ Livestock and Seed Division, Agric. Marketing Serv., USDA.

⁵ Missouri Dept. of Agric.