A comparison of pigs slaughtered at three different weights II. Association between dissection results, various measurements and visual assessments

Abstract

Correlations between various characteristics at each weight indicate that (i) a good percentage of lean is associated with increased bone, a larger eyemuscle area and, in particular, less backfat; (ii) the carcass conformation score for 260 lb. hogs has a high negative association with average backfat and this may be because the extreme amounts of fat on some these hogs adversely affected the balance of the carcass.Visual scores or assessments made on the shoulder, ham, streak and on the carcass conformation bear no relationship to the proportionate weights or to the leanness of the respective parts of the carcass. They reflect only the requirements of the trade which are based on shape and are not substantiated by dissection. In nearly all cases, gilts achieve better scores than hogs. The back rasher score assessed on a good fat to lean ratio and a good eye muscle is much higher for gilts than for hogs and decreases as the slaughter weight increases. There is a positive association between back rasher score and the leanness of the back.