Influence of season of birth, sex and paternal line on growth performance and carcass traits in pigs

C.H. Lee,H.J. Oh,M.H. Song,D.J. Yu,S.D. Liu,J.H. Cho,J.S. An,J.H. Lee,W Yun,H.B. Kim

doi:10.4314/sajas.v49i2.16

Abstract

Participants in the pig production industry focus on feed and feed additives to improve growth performance and meat quality of pigs. Consequently, the Rural Development Administration of the Republic of Korea produced a new paternal line to improve economic traits in pigs. However, there is an absence of information on pig traits with regard to season and sex, and a comparison between the new paternal line and past paternal lines. Therefore, the authors conducted this study to investigate the influence of season of birth, sex and paternal line on growth performance and carcass traits in pigs. A total of 2888 piglets ((Landrace × Yorkshire) × Darby Duroc (DD) or Chookjin Duroc (CD)) with an average age of three weeks were tested for 22 weeks during the four season of the year (spring 608 piglets, summer 404 piglets, autumn 576 piglets and winter 1300 piglets). The bodyweights (BW) of individual pig were recorded, and feed consumption was recorded at weeks 2, 12 and 22, to determine growth performance. At reaching market weight, backfat thickness was determined at the last rib area. Meat was graded according to the criteria of the slaughterhouse. There were no significant differences in growth performance and carcass traits between sexes. The CD line crossbred pig had a significant higher BW at 16 weeks, and higher carcass trait values at 22 weeks than the DD line. During weeks 8 to 16 the CD line crossbred pigs showed a tendency of an increased average daily gain (ADG) and gain : feed (G : F) ratio compared with the DD line. Furthermore, pigs born in spring had significant lower ADG, average daily feed intake (ADFI) and carcass trait values than born in the other seasons. In conclusion, the new paternal line (Chookjin Duroc) improved growth performance and carcass traits compare with the DD line. Keywords: sex, growth, terminal sire, meat quality, backfat thickness

Highlights

The pig breeds producing the pork consumed in Republic of Korea were (Landrace ×Yorkshire) × Duroc crosses
Through genetic selection for 10 years, the Rural Development Administration of the Republic of Korea developed a new paternal line (Chookjin Duroc) which is a cross between the Duroc and a Korean native pig, in order to adjust the balance of supply and demand and improve growth performance and meat quality of pigs
In weeks 0 - 8 and 16 - 22, paternal line did not affect (P >0.05) growth performance, but during 8 to 16 weeks the CD line crossbred pig showed a tendency of improved average daily gain (ADG) and the G : F compared with the DD line (P = 0.051; P = 0.062)

Summary

Introduction

The pig breeds producing the pork consumed in Republic of Korea were (Landrace ×Yorkshire) × Duroc crosses. The pig breeds producing the pork consumed in Republic of Korea were Duroc was used because the paternal line has outstanding meat quality, and the Republic of Korea imported Duroc semen. Through genetic selection for 10 years, the Rural Development Administration of the Republic of Korea developed a new paternal line (Chookjin Duroc) which is a cross between the Duroc and a Korean native pig, in order to adjust the balance of supply and demand and improve growth performance and meat quality of pigs. Carcasses produced by the barrows were heavier than those of the gilts, even though other studies reported that carcass weight and yield were not affected by sex (Latorre et al, 2003; 2004).

Methods

Results

Conclusion