The Belgian Piétrain as a sire of crossbred pigs slaughtered at 64 kg live weight. 1. Performance and carcass characteristics

Abstract

SUMMARY: A Piétrain boar was placed on each of six farms where the terminal sire was a Large White and the breeding females were either Large Whites or Large White × Landrace. Cooperators were requested to obtain 10 litters by each boar and record their performance to slaughter at 64 kg live weight. Farrowing rate to first service was relatively higher for sows mated with Large White boars but not significantly so. Pietrain-cross piglets were heavier at weaning (7·5%) but breed of boar did not influence other litter traits or age of progeny at slaughter. Pietrain crosses had higher carcass yields (2·4%), shorter carcasses (2·5%) and larger eye muscles in cross-section (10·6%) and in commercial evaluations relatively more were placed in the highest grade.