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Comparisons of Three-Way and Backcross Swine: II. Wholesale Cuts and Meat Quality¹

Université Laval⁴, Québec, Canada G1K 7P4

Abstract

A total of 306 pigs were sired by Hampshire, Duroc, Landrace and Yorkshire boars. All dams were Yorkshire x Landrace crossbreds. Wholesale cut and meat quality trait data from their backcross and three-way cross progeny were studied to determine the importance of breed, sex and season effects on variation. Weight characteristics of carcass and wholesale cuts were analogous in barrows and gilts, except that ham weight was significantly larger for females. Breed differences were small. Landrace backcross pigs had smaller ham and shoulder but heavier loin than three-way crossbred animals (P < .05). Meat quality was assessed by measuring pH, color and water holding capacity. Whereas three-way crossbreds and gilts had higher (P < .05) pH values 45 min after slaughter than backcross animals and barrows did, respectively, differences had disappeared by 24 h after slaughter. Meat from three-way crossbreds tended to be darker and had higher water holding capacity (P < .05). Gilts also had darker meat (P < .05) than barrows. Landrace- and Yorkshire-sired pigs tended to produce a loin with a smaller cross-section. It was larger (P < .05) for Hampshire crossbreds than for Yorkshire backcross, but smaller (P < .05) for barrows than for gilts. Winter-grown pigs tended to produce darker and drier meat than animals finished in summer or fall. Correlations were high between pH, reflectance and water holding capacity. Low pH, high reflectance (pale color) and high water loss tend to be associated with each other.

¹ The collaboration of la Ferme Olympique, St-Pierre de Broughton, and l'Abattoir Turcotte et Tunnel, Vallée-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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