Contribution to the knowledge of the effect of back fat thickness on quality of carcass of Swedish landrace pigs

Abstract

In this paper a comparative research relating to evaluation of the quality of pig carcasses originating from Swedish Landrace was carried out, total of 248 fatteners divided into two groups depending on the back fat thickness on withers and back. Quality was determined by partial dissection of left carcass sides according to procedure recommended by EU. The effect of back fat thickness on withers and back on quality of carcass sides, i.e. its effect on the share of muscle tissue, skin with subcutaneous fat tissue and intermuscular fat tissue in carcass side, was investigated. Obtained data show that exhibited difference in meat yield between groups wasn't statistically significant (P>0,05) in any of the cases. However, by testing the differences in relative yield of skin with subcutaneous fat tissue of leg, share of intermuscular fat tissue of shoulder, LSD and TRS, significance at the level of 5% was determined in fatteners with greater back fat thickness on withers. Observed differences relating to the effect of back fat thickness on share of skin with subcutaneous fat tissue in the carcass were significant and highly significant (*P<0,05 and **P<0,01). Positive correlation of medium strength was established (0,66859) between back fat thickness and content of skin with subcutaneous fat tissue. Between the content of intermuscular fat tissue and back fat thickness a strong positive correlation was established (0,76648).