The Influence of Limited Feeding, Using High Fiber Rations, upon Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Swine. II. Effects upon Carcass Characteristics

Abstract

The incorporation of the fibrous feeds, corn cobs or alfalfa hay, into swine rations significantly decreased dressing percentages, carcass fatback thicknesses and leaf fat weights. The percentages of skinned ham, ham muscle and lean cuts were increased in the carcasses of restricted-fed pigs. The highest grading carcasses were obtained from pigs fed the basal ration and those fed 62% and 69% TDN with corn cobs and alfalfa hay respectively. However, the pigs from the latter two lots were leaner and yielded more desirable carcasses than those fed the basal ration. Gilts produced significantly leaner carcasses than barrows. No significant differences were observed between treatments for areas of the longissimus dorsi muscle, ham butt or the percentage belly. Length from snout to hind foot, length of hind leg and length of ham were significantly longer in the carcasses from restricted-fed pigs. No signifiicant differences for length of carcass were observed between treatments. The percentages of viscera from pigs fed the lower TDN levels were significantly higher than those from the basal lot. The moisture content of the longissimus dorsi muscle and the iodine number of the fatback from carcasses of pigs fed 62% TDN with alfalfa hay exceeded all other lots and they were significantly higher than pigs fed the basal ration. Intra-muscular fat was not significantly affected by treatment. The leanest carcasses were produced from pigs fed 62% TDN with alfalfa hay; but carcass quality and grade were decidedly inferior to other lots. Copyright © . .