Improved beef production from supplementation of Hereford, Brahman and crossbred cattle grazing low and medium quality pastures in the subtropics of Australia

1998 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-104
Author(s):  
D. W. Hennessy ◽  
P. J. Williamson ◽  
D. J. McLennan ◽  
R. J. Farquharson ◽  
S. G. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Oilseed Meal ◽  
Mating Period ◽  
Grazed Pasture ◽  
Medium Quality ◽  
Calving Rate ◽  
Native Pastures ◽  
Kg Medium

AbstractSubtropical grasslands are low in organic matter digestibility (OMD) (0·60) and nitrogen (N) (15 g/kg) for much of the year and this limits cattle production which is characterized by low calving rates and low weaning weights. Production has been based on Bos taurus British breeds of cattle but this is changing and now many breeding herds comprise B. indicus cows and their crosses. This change has increased some aspects of production, but low calving rates persist.A 4-year study was undertaken with a view to improve calving rates and weaner output by supplementing cows grazing either native or improved pastures with a high protein oilseed meal (cottonseed meal; CSM) on four sites. These sites were subdivided into a total of 36 paddocks to allow for two replications in a 3 breeds × 3 supplementation rates × 2 pastures factorial design. Selected cows (no. = 216) from Hereford (H), Brahman (B) and Brahman × Hereford (BH) breed types were set to graze either native pastures (0·45 to 0·62 OMD, 8 to 15 gN per kg; low quality) or improved pastures (0·47 to 0·67 OMD, 10 to 22 g N per kg; medium quality). Cows were given either 0, 750 or 1500 glday of CSM for 130 days from calving until 4 weeks into a 12- to 13-week mating period. The CSM was given as two meals per week.Live weight at mating of cows on the low quality pasture was increased (P < 0·01) over those not supplemented by feeding either 750 g CSM per day (H and B cows) or 1500 g CSM per day (all cows). There was no significant effect of supplementation on the mating weights ofB cows grazing the medium quality sites. Calving rate ofB cows was not increased by their supplementation on either low (4-year mean 58·3 %) or medium quality pastures (66·8%) but did tend to be higher in H cows when supplemented at 1500 g CSM per day on the low (66·7 v. 78·0 (s.e. 6·09) %; P < 0·1) and medium quality pastures (70·5 v. 93·5 (s.e. 4·72) %). An increased calving rate (65·8 (s.e. 6·6) % to 83·2 (s.e. 5·82) % in supplemented BH cows grazing low quality pastures approached significance (P < 0·1) when given CSM at 1500 glday but there was no increased trend in calving rate when this breed type was supplemented on medium quality pastures.Weaning weights of calves from and B and BH cows were increased (P < 0·05) by supplementation of their dams at 750 glday and for calves weaned from H cows supplemented at 1500 glday of CSM. Supplementation at 1500 glday on low quality pastures increased weaner output per cow mated by 120% for H, by 65% for BH cows and by 50% for B cows. Weaner output was increased by 34 and 40%, respectively, for B and H cows when supplemented at 750 glday and grazing medium quality pastures but there was no significant effect of supplementation on output from BH cows. Responses in many parameters differed between years. These results were interpreted as a response to the protein in the oilseed meal supplement by B. taurus and B. taurus × B. indicus cross cows grazing on the subtropical pastures. The study also highlighted that responses to the meal differed between breed types, between the quality of the grazed pasture and between the years of supplementation.

Evaluation of beef breeds for rangeland weaner production in Zimbabwe 1. Productivity of purebred cows

1988 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-359 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. P. R. Tawonezvi ◽  
H. K. Ward ◽  
J. C. M. Trail ◽  
D. Light
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
Rapid Growth ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Weaning Weight ◽  
Rapid Growth Rate ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Calving Rate

ABSTRACTPurebred cows were evaluated for reproductive performance and live weight, and for pre-weaning growth and viability of crossbred progeny sired by unrelated breeds. The cows comprised three indigenous breeds, Mashona, Nkone and Tuli and four exotic breeds Africander, Brahman, Sussex and Charolais. Over 3 years, the mean calving rates % (s.e.) were 55·5 (3·0), 76·0 (3·8), 63·1 (4·5), 69·6 (3·5), 70·0 (3·8), 60·0 (4·3) and 67·0 (5·0) for Africander, Mashona, Nkone, Tuli, Brahman, Sussex and Charolais cows, respectively.Bos taurusand Brahman cows were heavier at parturition and at calf weaning than indigenous cows. Mashona cows were lightest at both stages. Calves ofBos tauruscows were heaviest at birth and those of Mashona lightest. Calves of Brahman cows had the most rapid growth rate and at weaning (240 days) weighed in kg (s.e.) 207 (3·1), compared with 184 (2·1), 172 (2·2), 187 (2·6), 184 (2·1), 178 (2·7) and 186 (2·9) for progeny of Africander, Mashona, Nkone, Tuli, Sussex and Charolais, respectively. Pre-weaning survival rates of the breeds were not significantly different but viability was higher in progeny of indigenous than exotic breeds. The productivity estimates combining calving rate, cow weight, calf weaning weight and pre-weaning viability demonstrated the superiority of indigenous breeds and the Brahman over Africander andBos taurusbreeds.

Efficacy of Live Vaccines and Specific Prevention in Chicken Infectious Bronchitis

2020 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Egg Production ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Economic Damage ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Local Immunity ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Live Vaccines ◽  
Infectious Bronchitis ◽  
Variant Strain

Infectious bronchitis of chickens (IBC) is a highly contagious disease characterized by damage to the respiratory tract. Adult chickens exhibit respiratory symptoms, a 10-50% decrease in egg production, discoloration of the eggshell, deformation of the shell, and a deterioration in the marketability and breeding quality of eggs. The circulation of variant strains in poultry farms of the Russian Federation causes a significant decrease in egg production and the quality of the eggs obtained, causing significant economic damage to industrial poultry farming. The study aimed to presents materials and methods for the industrial and efficient use of live-vaccines against infectious bronchitis of hens from a variant strain. After the use of a live vaccine against infectious bronchitis of chickens from a variant strain, the development, live weight of chickens, and feed conversion during the rearing period were within the standard parameters. in present study, the safety for the growing period with a planned 97.6% was 98.8-98.9%. The uniformity of the herds when transferred to hen - hen was 94-95%. When carrying out immunoprophylaxis of IBS, local immunity is important, which can be ensured using a live spray vaccine - a method starting from the day old. When establishing circulation in the economy of variant strains of IBC virus, it is necessary to introduce vaccination against the variant strain into the scheme of treatment and preventive measures. The research results allow us to conclude that, for the effective prevention of chicken infectious bronchitis, immunization against IBS from variant strains should be introduced into the vaccine prevention scheme.

Lipid Profile of Pig Tissues Contrasting in Meat Production

2019 ◽  
Vol 09 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vitaly A. Bekenev ◽  
Anatoly A. Arishin ◽  
Sergei N. Mager ◽  
Izolda V. Bolshakova ◽  
Natalia L. Tretyakova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Peroxidation ◽  
Fatty Acids ◽  
Linoleic Acid ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Blood Lipid ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Thoracic Vertebrae ◽  
Organoleptic Properties ◽  
Biochemical Characteristics

Background: Studies were carried out on two breeds of pigs - Pietrain (P), and Kemerovo (K), contrasting in composition of carcasses, and their hybrids. Objective: The purpose of this work was to establish the characteristics of the composition of lipids of intramuscular fat (IMF), back fat and serum, organoleptic qualities in animals of these breeds. Methods: Animals of 10 individuals in each group were fed on a standard feed and slaughtered with a live weight of 95-100 kg. The quality of carcasses, the biochemical characteristics of blood, the composition of fatty acids and cholesterol in meat and fat, and blood lipid peroxidation were determined. Results: Thickness on the back fat (BF) at the level of 6-7 thoracic vertebrae with a live weight of 100 kg was 35.8 ± 1.65 mm in pigs of breed K, in hybrids - 27.6 ± 1.06, and in breed P - 19, 6 ± 1.43 mm. IMF in pigs of breed K was almost 4.5 times greater than that of breed P. IMF K breed contained 2 times less cholesterol than in P (2.34 vs. 4.68%). In the IMF, K was 2 times less polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), than P, 7.82 and 15.22%, linoleic acid, 6.74% and 12.42% respectively (p &lt;0.005).The organoleptic properties of meat and salted back fat were significantly higher in breed K (P = 0.05). Conclusion: The data obtained allow us to establish priorities in the use of products of specific breeds of pigs, depending on medical requirements.

Effects of genotype and dietary forage to concentrate ratio during the finishing period on carcass characteristics and meat quality of lambs from hill sheep systems

2001 ◽  
Vol 137 (2) ◽  
pp. 205-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. F. CARSON ◽  
B. W. MOSS ◽  
L. E. R. DAWSON ◽  
D. J. KILPATRICK
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
The Other ◽  
Grass Silage ◽  
Classification Score ◽  
Forage:Concentrate Ratio ◽  
Matter Basis

The study investigated the effects of lamb genotype produced from hill flocks on feed efficiency, carcass characteristics and meat quality in animals finished on either a high forage:concentrate ratio diet (HFC) or a low forage:concentrate ratio diet (LFC). Purebred Scottish Blackface (BXB) lambs were compared with Blue-Faced Leicester×Scottish Blackface (BLXB) and Texel×Scottish Blackface (TXB) lambs. Purebred Cheviot (CXC), Suffolk×Cheviot (SXC) and Texel×Cheviot (TXC) lambs were also investigated. Lambs on the LFC diet were offered grass silage and concentrates mixed in the proportion of 0·80 silage and 0·20 concentrates on a dry matter basis. The LFC diet consisted of 0·20 grass silage and 0·80 concentrates on a dry matter basis. Representative lambs were slaughtered at the start of the experiment and on reaching 38 and 46 kg live weight. Averaged over the two slaughter weights, within the Blackface cross lambs, BXB had a lower liveweight gain (P < 0·01) than either BLXB or TXB (138, 207 and 203 (S.E. 11·1) g/day, respectively). Within the Cheviot cross lambs, CXC had a lower liveweight gain (P < 0·05) than SXC (188 v. 220 (S.E. 11·1) g/day), while SXC and TXC (204 g/day) had similar liveweight gains. Lambs on the LFC diet had a higher dressing proportion (P < 0·001) compared with lambs finished on the HFC diet (0·466 v. 0·434 (S.E. 0·0018) kg carcass per kg live weight). Averaged over the two slaughter weights BXB lambs had a lower (P < 0·05) dressing proportion than the other genotypes. Carcass conformation classification (assessed on a five-point scale) was higher (P < 0·001) in lambs finished on the LFC diet (3·0 v. 2·4 (S.E. 0·04)). Conformation classification was higher in lambs produced from Cheviot compared with Blackface ewes (P < 0·05). Within the Blackface cross lambs, BXB and BLXB lambs had a lower conformation classification (P < 0·001) than TXB lambs (2·4, 2·4 and 2·9 (S.E. 0·08) respectively). Within the Cheviot ewes, TXC lambs had a higher (P < 0·001) classification than either CXC or SXC (3·1, 2·7 and 2·7 (S.E. 0·08) respectively). Lambs finished on the LFC diet had a higher fat classification score compared with lambs on the HFC diet (P < 0·001) (3·4 v. 2·8 (S.E. 0·04)). Fat classification was similar across all genotypes. Lambs finished on the LFC diet had a lower ash content in the carcass than lambs finished on a HFC diet (P < 0·01) (44 v. 47 (S.E. 0·8) g/kg). Lamb genotype and dietary forage:concentrate ratio had no significant effect on cooking loss, sarcomere length, Warner–Bratzler shear force and L* values. Ultimate pH (pHU) was not influenced by dietary forage:concentrate ratio, but was significantly (P < 0·01) higher in BXB lambs compared with BLXB, TXB, CXC and TXC lambs. Lambs offered the LFC diet during the finishing period had significantly higher values for a* (P < 0·05), b* (P < 0·001), C* (P < 0·001) and H0 (P < 0·05) than lambs offered a HFC diet. Of these parameters only b* was significantly affected by lamb genotype, with BXB lambs having a lower value (P < 0·05) than the other genotypes.

The effects of different amounts of liquid skim-milk on pork pigs with particular reference to carcass quality

1965 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 153-164 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. S. Barber ◽  
R. Braude ◽  
Zena D. Hosking ◽  
K. G. Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Skim Milk ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Caloric Value ◽  
Calculated Energy ◽  
Matter Basis

SUMMARY1. Seventy-two individually fed pigs on six treatments were used to determine the effects on performance and in particular on carcass quality of (a) giving quantities of liquid skim-milk (preserved with formalin) in excess of those normally recommended; (b) replacing meal by skim-milk in the ration on a calculated dry-matter basis (1 gal. skim-milk equivalent to 1 · 1 lb. meal) as compared with a calculated energy basis (1 gal. skim-milk equivalent to 1 · 3 lb. meal) and (c) giving skim-milk for only a part of the growing period instead of throughout. The experimental period continued from 9–10 weeks of age until slaughter at an average live-weight of 135 lb.2. Extensive carcass measurements were taken and in addition assessment of the carcasses was made by a representative of the County Quality Pork Association and by an expert pork butcher.3. Carcasses from pigs given an all-meal diet were comparable in all respects with those from pigs given skim-milk throughout up to a maximum of either 5¼ or 10½ pints per pig per day.4. Carcasses from pigs given the highest level of skim-milk (maximum of 15¾ pints per pig per day) were superior in many respects to those on any of the other treatments, but the possibility that this was due to their slower rate of growth rather than to the high level of milk per se, is discussed.5. Pigs given skim-milk as replacement of part of their meal allowance on a calculated dry matter basis grew significantly faster than those in which the replacement was made on a calculated energy basis or than those given an all-meal diet. The importance is stressed of ensuring that in assessing the value of skim-milk for pigs the caloric value of the rations being compared is similar. The need for experiments based on actual determinations of the caloric value of the rations used is also emphasised.6. While the performance of pigs given skim-milk up to 75 lb. live-weight only was similar to that of pigs given skim-milk throughout, evidence was obtained that the quality of their carcasses was slightly inferior.7. There was some suggestion that as the level of skim-milk in the diet increased an eye muscle of a rather paler colour was produced.

An evaluation of beef carcass quality 1. The influence of cereal feeding on the growth and carcass quality of Friesian steers

1972 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 215-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Hinks ◽  
J. H. D. Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Meat Quality ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Factorial Experiment ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Grazing Cattle ◽  
Weight Gains ◽  
Second Period ◽  
Tasting Panel

SUMMARYTwenty-four Friesian steers, initially 5 months of age, were involved in a 2 × 2 factorial experiment which spanned grazing and silage feeding periods of 22 weeks' duration. In the first period, cattle were stocked at a uniformly high density, with half of the group being fed 1·25 kg/head per day of supplementary barley. In the second period, the cattle were subdivided into four groups and fed varying levels of barley with silage. Finally all the animals received 3·65 kg/head per day of barley. Replicates of the four treatments were slaughtered at random after 5 to 11 weeks on this treatment. Whilst supplementary cereal feeding significantly increased the live-weight gains of steers at grass by 11%, this live-weight advantage was offset by their slower gains in the final weeks before slaughter. Feeding cereals to grazing cattle had little effect on carcass composition or the proportions of carcass joints, but their beef was considered, by a tasting panel, to be more tender than the meat from the control steers.Increasing the level of barley fed with silage only increased live-weight gains by 2%, and had little effect on carcass or meat quality.

Influence of different factors on the growth rate of young animals and the quality of beef

2021 ◽  
pp. 28-39
Author(s):  
V. N. Pristupa ◽  
D. S. Torosyan
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Studies ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Federal District ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Industrial Complex ◽  
Black And White ◽  
Dry Steppe ◽  
Intensive Rearing ◽  
Meat Productivity

The purpose of the work was to study and identify the main factors aff ecting the quantity and quality of beef produced and sold in the Southern Federal district. A comparative assessment of the growth, development, formation of meat productivity and quality of beef of young animals of beef, dual and dairy breeds with stall-pasture technology and intensive rearing in the industrial complex. Experimental studies have been carried out in farms in the Rostov region. The object of research was cows with calves of Kalmyk, Hereford, Aberdeen-Angus, Russian komolaya, Kazakh White-headed breeds, as well as young animals of the same breeds, in addition, Black-and-White and Swiss breeds. Removable live weight in Hereford steers at 18 months of age was 658,0 kg, and Aberdeen-Angus – 655,2 kg. Domestic steers of Kalmyk were 41–44 kg lower in live weight than their herdmates of two imported breeds. However, with intensive rearing at 18 months of age, steers of Kalmyk breed had a removable live weight of more than 613,7 kg and a carcass weight of 326 kg. The yield of hot carcass was 55,4 %, and the slaughter yield was 58,89 %, which was only 1–2 % lower than the world’s leading beef breeds. It has been found when analyzing the results of boning the half-carcasses of experimental steers that the biggest weight of half-carcasses and the content of muscle and fat tissue in them in absolute terms were in Hereford steers. Steers of Kalmyk breed took the third place in terms of weight of large-sized semi–fi nished products and signifi cantly lost to Aberdeen-Angus herdmates by 7,3 kg or 6,5 %, and Hereford steers by 9,2 kg or 8,3 %. The results obtained prove the expediency of using stallpasture technology in the dry-steppe zone of the Southern Federal district when rearing young animals for beef up to 350–400 kg live weight at 15 months of age and its subsequent intensive rearing under industrial technology, in order to obtain the live weight of more than 570 kg and produce cost-eff ective beef.

Effect of creep feed intake on weaning weight of piglets

1996 ◽  
Vol 1996 ◽  
pp. 138-138
Author(s):  
S. Kavanagh ◽  
P.B. Lynch ◽  
P.J. Caffrey ◽  
W.D. Henry
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Management Systems ◽  
Creep Feeding ◽  
Creep Feed ◽  
Combining Data ◽  
Medium Quality ◽  
Feeding Trials ◽  
Supplementary Feed

The benefits of creep feeding in a 3 - 4 week weaning system is uncertain. Sow milk yield peaks at 3 - 4 weeks postpartum and the need for supplementary feed to maintain growth rates of suckling pigs is minimal. The objective of this study was to quantify creep feed intake by suckling pigs and to assess the effect of creep feeding on piglet growth and weight at weaning when weaned at 26.0 (s.e. 0.6) days of age.The results reported here were obtained by combining data from 296 litters of suckling pigs on 5 creep feeding trials. The five trials involved comparison of diets and management systems as follows: (A) effect of quality of creep feed (high quality starter diet vs medium quality starter diet vs a pelleted cooked cereal); (B) comparison of meal and pelleted diets; (C) the effect of form (reconstituted calf milk replacer - 20 % dry matter vs solid pellet vs peat primer offered with a solid pellet); (D) effect of feed freshness (fresh creep vs 30 day old creep vs 60 day old creep feed); (E) effect of creep feeding piglets on pre-weaning performance.

Kajian Kualitas Permukiman Kawasan Pesisir Kecamatan Marobo Kabupaten Muna

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 149
Author(s):  
Halija Halija ◽  
Jufri Karim ◽  
Sawaludin Sawaludin
Keyword(s):  
Physical Condition ◽  
Coastal Area ◽  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Residential Building ◽  
Earth Satellite ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Wall Material ◽  
Floor Area ◽  
Medium Quality

Abstrak: Penataan ruang kawasan pesisir harus dipandang sebagai upaya dalam peningkatan kualitas kawasan fisik dan kesejahteraan masyarakat.Permasalahan dalam penelitian ini, yaitu tidak berfungsinya drainase secara optimal belum terdapatnya sarana mandi, cuci, kakus (MCK) dan kondisi faktor fisik rumah yang masih berstruktur kayu dan semi permanan. Tujuan dari penelitian ini, yaitu: (1) menganalisis kondisi fisik permukiman kawasan pesisir; (2) menganalisis kualitas permukiman kawasan pesisir dan merumuskan strategi pemecahan masalah permukiman kawasan pesisir Kecamatan Marobo Kabupaten Muna. Metode penelitian ini, yaitu: (1) kondisi fisik permukiman diketahui dengan melakukan interpertasi citra satelit Google Earth:(2)kualitas permukimandiketahui denganpendekatan keruangan dengan menggunakan Sistem Informasi Geografi pada aplikasi ArcGIS dengan melakukan teknik analisis scoring. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa: (1)nilai kelayakan bangunan rumah hunian Desa Marobo, yaitu 70% dengan luas lantai >7,2, skor  5 bisa di kategorikan cukup luas, kemudian kelurahan Paroha 50 %, dengan luas lantai >7,2 skor  3,  Kelurahan Wadolau nilai kelayakan bangunan rumah hunian, yaitu 30% dengan luas lantai >7,2 skor  2  dan terakhir Kelurahan Tapi-Tapi nilai kelayakan bangunan rumah hunian, yaitu <10% dengan luas lantai>7,2 skor  1, sehingga bisa di kategorikan cukup kecil/sempit; (2) permukiman penduduk di Pesisir Desa Tapi-Tapi, Desa Wadolau, dan Desa Marobo didominasi oleh rumah nelayan, dengan luas pekarangan dan luas rumah tinggal cukup kecil/sempit.  Kondisi fisik rumah tinggal penduduk di Kecamatan Marobo termasuk kategori semipermanen yang tercermin dari jenis bahan dinding rumah yang mayoritas terbuat dari  papan kayu berkualitas sedang.Kata kunci: kondisi fisik, kualitas permukiman, kawasan pesisirAbstract: Coastal spatial planning must be seen as an effort to improve the quality of physical areas and the welfare of the community. The problem in this study are the drainage does not function optimally, among others there are no facilities for bathing, washing, latrines and the physical condition of the house which is still structured in wood and semi-permanent. The purpose of this study are: (1) to analyze the physical condition of the coastal area settlement in Marobo District Muna Regency; (2) to analyze the quality of coastal area settlements and formulate strategies for solving the problem of coastal area settlements in Marobo District Muna Regency. The research methods are: (1) the physical condition of the settlement is known by interpreting Google Earth satellite imagery; (2) settlement quality is known by spatial approach using Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS by conducting a scoring analysis technique. The results of this study are: (1)the feasibility value of Marobo Village residential building is 70% with a floor area >7,2 score 5 can be categorized quite broadly, Paroha Village 50%, with a floor area >7,2 score 3 Wadolau Village the feasibility value of residential building is 30% with a floor area >7,2, score 2 and lastly the Tapi-Tapi Village feasibility value of residential buildings is <10% with a floor area >7,2 score 1 so that it can be categorized quite small/narrow; (2) the residential settlements in the Tapi-Tapi Village, Wadolau Village and Marobo Village are dominated by fishermen's houses, with a large yard area and a small/narrow residential area. The physical condition of resident houses in Marobo District belongs to the semi-permanent category, which is reflected in the type of wall material of the house which is mostly made of medium quality wood plasterKeywords: physical condition, quality of settlements, coastal area

THE EFFECTS OF SEX AND AGE OF MALE AT CASTRATION ON GROWTH AND CARCASS QUALITY OF YORKSHIRE SWINE

1961 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. A. Charette
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Iodine Number ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Carcass Characteristics ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Selection Of ◽  
Effect On Growth

The effects of sex and age of castration of males on growth rate, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics in bacon type swine were measured using 16 pigs each as gilts, entire boars, and boars castrated at birth, 6, 12, 16, and 20 weeks of age. Castration at 20 weeks was too late since some pigs reached 200 pounds live weight before that age. Boars consumed less feed daily than barrows and gilts, were thinner in loin fat, and yielded a higher percentage of shoulder than gilts. The carcasses of boars and gilts were longer, had less fat covering over the shoulder and back, a larger area of loin, and a higher iodine number than those castrated late. Acceptability tests showed that sex or age of castration did not affect the flavour, odour, or tenderness of the meat.Purebred breeders can delay castration for better selection of boars without any serious effect on growth, physical carcass characteristics, and feed requirements. Although the market discriminates against boars, it appears questionable whether castration is necessary when boars are slaughtered at 200 pounds before they reach the age of 150 days.

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