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Comparisons of Three-Way and Backcross Swine: I. Growth Performance and Commercial Assessment of the Carcass^1,2,

Université Lavalé^,4, Québec, Canada G1K 7P4

Abstract

A total of 306 pigs sired by Hampshire, Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire boars and out of Yorkshire x Landrace dams were studied for growth and carcass traits. Yorkshire and Landrace crossbreds were smaller at birth (P < .05) and Yorkshire crossbreds still were at least 2 kg lighter (P < .05) at entry on test (94 d). There were major differences for age at slaughter and ADG. Yorkshire crossbreds took 10 d more (P < .05) to reach slaughter weight than Duroc-sired pigs, and the daily gain of the two three-breed crosses was 42 g superior (P < .05) to the two back-crosses. Yorkshire crossbreds had a smaller daily feed intake (P < .05) than the other crosses did. For all growth measurements, barrows were superior to gilts (P < .05). Barrows were 3 kg heavier at slaughter, but they took a week less to reach slaughter weight. In addition, they gained 100 g more per day, were 9% more efficient, and consumed 200 g more feed each day. Carcass yield was about 1% higher (P < .05) for Yorkshire crossbreds than for three-way crossbreds. Landrace-sired pigs yielded a carcass about 1.5 cm longer (P < .05) than Duroc and Hampshire crossbreds. Gilts had higher (P < .05) carcass yield than boars did. Hampshire crossbreds and gilts had less backfat (P < .05). Overall, Duroc- and Hampshire-sired pigs combined high ADG with a lean carcass and appeared to be slightly superior to the other combinations tested.

¹ The collaboration of la Ferme Olympique, St-Pierre de Broughton, and l'Abattoir Turcotte et Turmel, Vallee-Jonction is gratefully acknowledged. The help of J. Mattel and F. Trudel has been most valuable.

² A. Langlois held a postgraduate scholarship from the FCAR. This work was supported by a grant from the CRSAQ to F. Minvielle.

³ Address reprint requests to F. Minvielle at INRA, SGQA, 78350, Jouy-en-Josas, France.

⁴ FSAA, Dept. Zootech., Univ. Laval.

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