Hoop structure for wean to finish pigs: gender influences on carcass in a summer trial

Abstract

The study was a wean to finish trial in a swine hoop structure at the university’s Animal Experimental Unit; on 12 of July, at the delivery to the slaughter house, the body weight was 114.25±1.74 kg for 20 barrows and 108.71±2.13 kg for 19 gilts (p = 0.049). The carcass mass was 87.87±1.68 kg for barrows and 83.69±1.94 kg for gilts (p = 0.112). Back fat at the last rib measurement was 14.51±0.62 mm for barrows and 12.28±0.54 mm for gilts (p = 0.011) and the eye muscle depth was 58.58±1.41 mm for barrows and 53.65±1.22 mm for gilts (p = 0.019). The carcass mass: body weight ratio was 76.83% ±0.5% for barrows and 76.92±0.5 for gilts (p = 0.112). Fifteen of 39 animals graded S (61.56% lean), 23 animals were graded E class (58.08% lean) and 1 animal was graded U class (53.4% lean). Barrows averaged 58.77% lean vs. 59.86% for gilts (p = 0.126) which does not support the initial hypothesis that there would be a gender effect during the trial. The results of the study suggest that quality carcasses can be obtained from swine grown in a hoop deep bedded production system.