152 Body Weight Standardized Cull Sow Non-edible Trim Loss Evaluation

Abstract

Abstract Non-edible trim loss has been shown to reduce value in market hogs (Johnson et al., 2013). Non-edible trim loss from pork carcasses results from; adhesions, arthritis, and abscess (Keenlislide, 2005). Sow harvest facilities often encounter sow carcasses having one or more non-edible trim loss factors (Knauer, 2007). Non-edible trim loss observed repeatedly in high levels will result in carcass discounts to the seller. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic impact of non-edible trim loss from cull sow carcasses. Data were collected as a convenience sample from a Midwestern cull-sow harvest facility. This facility focuses on harvesting high quality animals and harvesting “lean” or “boner” sows occurs relatively infrequently. For this study, trim was expressed as a percentage of carcass weight. At this harvest facility all carcasses have some non-edible trim loss. The average total pre-trim carcass weight was 149 kgs (n = 87). The relative percentage of non-edible trim loss was sorted into quartiles. Based on percent trim and average carcass weight the quartiles were classified as 1st Qu. = normal trim (0.5% – 1.2%, n = 22), 2nd Qu. = low trim (1.2% – 2.1%, n =20), 3rd Qu. = medium trim (2.1% – 3.4%, n = 21), and 4th Qu. = high trim (3.4% – 20.9%, n = 22). A 5-year average cull sow price (USDA, ERS) was utilized to calculate the economic loss represented from each quartile of percentage trim. Normal trim, low trim and medium trim showed to have low economic impact. High trim loss had an average economic loss of $9.37 (s.d. = 6.9) on a standardized basis. Substantial economic losses are observed when high trim is measured. Additional work is needed in identifying significant trim loss prior to harvest.