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.

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.

705. A comparison of dried skim-milk and white fish meal as protein supplements for fattening pigs: II. On all-meal feeding under commercial conditions

1958 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 181-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Braude ◽  
Pamela M. Clarke ◽  
K. G. Mitchell ◽  
A. S. Cray ◽  
A. Franke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fish Meal ◽  
Skim Milk ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Weight Basis ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Protein Supplements ◽  
Meal Feeding ◽  
Experiment Individual ◽  
Fattening Pigs

1. Results are reported of an experiment carried out under commercial conditions to obtain information on the comparative value of dried skim-milk and white fish meal as protein supplements for fattening pigs.2. There were four treatments. Control pigs (i) received a meal mixture containing 10% white fish meal, reduced to 7% from 130 lb. live weight. In the other experimental groups, the fish meal was replaced by dried skim-milk, (ii) on a weight for weight basis, (iv) on a protein basis and (iii) intermediate between (ii) and (iv). All pigs were fed the meal dry and ad lib. up to a maximum of 6½ lb./head daily. Unrestricted water was available.There were five pens of nine group-fed pigs on each treatment, involving a total of 180 pigs. The pigs were on experiment from approximately 10 weeks of age to bacon weight. Comprehensive carcass measurements were made on all the pigs.3. The results showed that a significantly better rate of growth was obtained when the white fish meal was replaced by dried skim-milk on a weight for weight basis. Increasing the percentage of skim-milk in the diet up to 15% resulted in a slightly better performance of the pigs, but no further improvement was obtained by raising the level of skim-milk to 20%. These results were discussed in relation to an apparent set-back that the control pigs suffered at the start of the experimental period.4. The inclusion of dried skim-milk in the diet had an adverse effect on the carcass grading, particularly in so far as it resulted in a thicker layer of back fat over the loin as compared with that in the control pigs.5. There was also some indication that the carcasses from the animals given dried skim-milk had slightly thicker bellies and a smaller breadth of eye muscle than the carcasses of the control animals that received fish meal.6. The results have been compared with those of an earlier trial, which was in most details the same as that reported here, the main difference being that in the earlier experiment individual feeding and one breed of pig were used.

scholarly journals Performance and carcass quality of Czech Fleckvieh, Charolais and Charolais × Czech Fleckvieh bulls fed diets based on different types of silages

2008 ◽  
Vol 52 (No. 9) ◽  
pp. 269-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Bartoň ◽  
V. Kudrna ◽  
D. Bureš ◽  
R. Zahrádková ◽  
V. Teslík
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Dietary Energy ◽  
Maize Silage ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Entire Experiment

A total of thirty-four Czech Fleckvieh (CF), Charolais (CH) and Charolais × Czech Fleckvieh (CH × CF) bulls with an average weight of 284 kg were included in the experiment and fed ad libitum two mixed diets: MS (based on maize silage) and LCS (based on legume-cereal and lucerne silages) with different concentrations of dietary energy until slaughter at the target live weight of 600 kg. The CF bulls consumed more dry matter (DM) of feed daily than the CH bulls (<i>P</i> < 0.05) and gained weight less efficiently than the CH × CF and CH animals (<i>P</i> < 0.01) during the entire experiment. The killing-out percentage was lower in the CF than in the CH × CF and CH (<i>P</i> < 0.05). The CH bulls received a higher score for carcass conformation and a lower score for carcass fatness (<i>P</i> < 0.01) than the CF bulls, had lower proportions of kidney and cod fat (<i>P</i> < 0.01) than the CH × CF and CF bulls, and produced the highest percentage of high-priced meat (<i>P</i> < 0.05) and the lowest percentage of separable fat (<i>P</i> < 0.001). The bulls on the MS diet were younger than the others at the end of the experiment (<i>P</i> < 0.01), gained weight more rapidly (<i>P</i> < 0.001), consumed less DM (<i>P</i> < 0.001) daily, utilized nutrients more efficiently over the entire experimental period (<i>P</i> < 0.001), and had a higher proportion of internal fat than the LCS bulls. It can be concluded that purebred CH bulls were superior to the other breed groups in most of the traits observed. The intensive diet based on maize silage increased average daily gains, reduced the time needed to achieve the target slaughter weight, and improved the feed efficiency of bulls.

Some further observations upon the effects of varying the plane of feeding for pigs between weaning and bacon weight

1960 ◽  
Vol 54 (1) ◽  
pp. 81-99 ◽  
Author(s):  
I. A. M. Lucas ◽  
I. McDonald ◽  
A. F. C. Calder
Keyword(s):  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Procaine Penicillin ◽  
Dressing Percentage ◽  
Very High ◽  
Food Conversion Efficiency

Three experiments were carried out to obtain more information upon the effects of varying the plane of feeding for bacon pigs.Exps. 1 and 2 followed the same 3 × 2 factorial design in which (a) diets were fed with or without procaine penicillin and (b) a comparison was made between very high (VH-VH), high (H-H) and low (L-L) planes of feeding for pigs from about 8 weeks old to slaughter at about 200 lb. live weight. The planes of feeding were defined according to the amount of t.d.n. offered to each pig daily.For each of these two experiments eight lots of six litter mates were used. One pig from each litter was allocated to each of the six treatments, and although litter mates were housed as a group, all pigs were fed individually in separate compartments.Exp. 3 was a 2 × 3 × 2 factorial to compare two breeds and three planes of feeding during 2 years. During each year three lots of pure-bred Landrace and three lots of Wessex Saddleback × Large White litter mates were used. Each lot consisted of three gilts and three barrows and one pig of each sex was allocated to each of the three feeding treatments. From the start of the experiment, when the pigs were about 8 weeks old, to about 100 lb. weight, all animals were kept to a very high (VH) plane of feeding. From then to slaughter at about 200 lb. live weight the following planes of feeding were compared: (1) very high plane (VH), (2) increasingly restricted plane (R) and (3) low plane (L). As in Exps. 1 and 2 these planes were denned in terms of t.d.n., and litter mates were housed together but fed individually in separate compartments.In both Exps. 1 and 2 pigs with procaine penicillin in their feed grew very slightly faster and more efficiently than those not fed antibiotic, but the differences did not reach the 5% level of statistical significance. The feeding of antibiotio did not affect the response of the pigs to variations in the plane of feeding.In comparison with pigs kept to the VH-VH plane of feeding, pigs kept to the H-H and L-L planes grew 13 and 22% more slowly in Exp. 1, and 11 and 26% more slowly in Exp. 2, but plane of feeding had no effect upon food conversion efficiency in either experiment. These results are for the total experimental period.In both Exps. 1 and 2 reductions in plane of feeding had no significant effect upon length of carcass or thickness of streak, but they caused increases in killing-out percentage and decreases in all measurements of fat thickness. They also caused increases in the area of ‘eye’ muscle (statistically significant in Exp. 2, but not in Exp. 1) and a lengthening in the shape of the ‘eye’ muscle in the bacon rasher (statistically significant in Exp. 1, but not in Exp. 2).In Exp. 3 the Wessex crosses grew faster and more efficiently than the Landrace, but these differences were considerably larger during one year than during the other. In comparison to the Landrace, the Wessex-cross carcasses had a tendency to be shorter (P < 0·10) and to have thicker shoulder fats. They also had 1% more ‘fore’ and 1% less ‘ham’.Compared with pigs kept to the VH-VH plane of feeding, those kept to the VH-R and VH-L planes grew 18 and 36% more slowly, respectively, during the finishing period. Over the total experimental period there was no difference in food conversion efficiency between pigs kept to the VH-VH and VH-R planes, but efficiency was poorer by 4–5% with the VH-L plane. There was no breed × feeding interaction in the data for growth rates or food conversion efficiencies.In Exp. 3 plane of feeding had no significant effect upon killing-out percentage, shape index of ‘eye’ muscle or thickness of streak. The two lower planes of feeding caused reductions in the average rump fat, fat (1) over the ‘eye’ muscle and in the proportion of ‘middle’ in the carcasses; they also caused increases in the proportion of ‘ham’ in the carcasses.Other carcass quality data contained significant interactions which complicated their interpretation. The effects of plane of feeding were inconsistent between:(A) years, for length of carcass, maximum shoulder fat, area of eye muscle and iodine values of the back fat;(B) breeds, for minimum back fat and percentage ‘fore’;(C) sexes, for dressing percentage and fat (2) over ‘eye’ muscle;(D) breeds and years, for dressing percentage;(E) breeds and sexes, for maximum shoulder fat.The results of the three experiments have been compared with other data on planes of feeding from Rowett Research Institute. A table has been given showing the probable average effects of using different planes of feeding in preference to a VH-VH plane for pigs to be slaughtered at about 200 lb. live weight. The variability in these effects under different circumstances has been discussed and a note has been made of the relative improvements in carcass quality which can be affected through feeding and through breeding.

scholarly journals Lysine supplementation of barley wet distillers’ solids diets for growing-finishing pigs

1996 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 157-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarmo Valaja ◽  
Hilkka Siljander-Rasi ◽  
Timo Alaviuhkola ◽  
Asko Rantanen
Keyword(s):  
Crude Protein ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Finishing Pigs ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Soyabean Meal

A growth experiment was conducted to study the effect of different lysine supplementation levels of barley wet distillers’ solids (WDS) diets on the performance and the carcass quality of pigs (25.5-95.5 kg live weight). A total of 160 pigs were divided into four groups of 40 animals. Four pigs of the same sex were placed in each pen and fed one of the four experimental diets; a barley-soyabean meal (SBM) control diet (167 g crude protein (CP) /kg dry matter (DM) and 7.6 g lysine/feed unit (FU)) or three similar barley-WDS diets (204 g CP/kg DM) which were supplemented with synthetic lysine to contain 7.7, 9.2 or 10.7 g lysine/FU. Lysine supplementation linearly improved the daily weight gain (DG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of the pigs during growing (1-5 weeks) (p < 0.001), finishing (6th week onward) (p < 0.001) and the whole experimental period (p < 0.001). However, during the whole growing-finishing period the performance of the pigs levelled off at the lysine level of 9.2 g/FU and daily supply of 18.0 g, respectively(quadratic effect: p < 0.05 for DG and p < 0.01 for FCR). The pigs on the SBM diet grew faster and more efficiently than did the pigs on the WDS diets with similar lysine content (p < 0.05).

scholarly journals 387 Supplementing a yeast-derived product to feedlot cattle: impacts on performance, physiological responses, and carcass characteristics

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 154-154
Author(s):  
Stefania Pancini ◽  
Reinaldo F Cooke ◽  
Alice Brandão ◽  
Nicholas W Dias ◽  
Claire Timlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Feedlot Cattle ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Finishing Diets

Abstract This experiment evaluated the impacts of supplementing a yeast-derived product (Celmanax; Church & Dwight Co., Inc.; Princeton, NJ) during the finishing period on performance, physiological responses, and carcass quality of beef cattle. Ninety Angus-influenced steers (13 mo of age) were housed into a feeding facility equipped with Calan gates 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the experiment (d 0 to 133). Steer body weight (BW) was collected on d -3, -2, and -1, averaged, and represented steer initial BW (483 ± 3 kg of BW). On d 0, steers were ranked by initial BW to receive a finishing diet containing or not Celmanax at 16 g/steer daily (as-fed basis). Diet composition was (dry matter basis) 22% corn silage, 70.2% ground corn, 5% soybean meal, 1.8% mineral and vitamin mix, and 1% urea. Monensin (Rumensin 90; Elanco, Greenfield, IN) was included in the diet at 27.3 g/ton of dry matter. Steers received diets and treatments individually until slaughter on d 134. Voluntary feed intake was recorded daily throughout the experiment. Steer BW was recorded on d 131, 132, and 133, and averaged for final BW. Feed efficiency was calculated from each steer according to feed intake and BW gain during the 133-d experimental period, Blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture on days 0, 60, and 133 and harvested for plasma. Hot carcass weight was collected upon slaughter, whereas trained personnel assessed carcass traits after a 24-h chill. No differences in BW gain, feed efficiency, feed intake, and carcass quality traits were observed between treatments (P &gt; 0.25). No differences were also detected for plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin, somatomedin, and leptin (P &gt; 0.33). Therefore, Celmanax inclusion into finishing diets containing monensin did not improve performance, physiological responses, and carcass quality of feedlot cattle.

scholarly journals Carcass and meat quality of lambs fed with sunflower seed or oil

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (9) ◽  
pp. e682997667
Author(s):  
Marta Juliane Gasparini ◽  
Simone Fernanda Nedel Pertile ◽  
Rafaela Machado dos Santos ◽  
José Victor Pronievicz Barreto ◽  
Marilice Zundt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sunflower Oil ◽  
Sunflower Seed ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Experimental Period ◽  
Sunflower Seeds ◽  
Ph Values ◽  
Santa Inês ◽  
High Level

The objective of this study was to compare the use of sunflower seeds and oil as a fat source in the diets of finishing lambs. Twelve crossbred Santa Inês × Dorper lambs, with an average initial weight of 22.10 ± 3.82 kg were housed in individual pens and divided into two treatments: diets with sunflower seeds or oil. The total diet of both groups contained 33% roughage (tifton grass hay 85) and 67% concentrate. The proportion of sunflower oil and seeds in the total dry matter of the diets was 1.83% and 5.51%, respectively for the treatments oil and seed. The experimental period lasted for 75 days. The animals were slaughtered when they reached an average live weight of 35 kg. The carcass and meat variables were not different between the treatments studied. The presence of oil or sunflower seeds in the diets, both with a high level of concentrate (67%), did not influence the pH values of the meat, with average values of 5.8 and 5.6, respectively. The use of 5.5% sunflower seed, or 1.8% sunflower oil, as fat sources in diets of crossbred Santa Inês X Dorper lambs in finishing, were effective to obtain quality meat and carcasses.

Carcass quality of crossbred lambs expressing the callipyge phenotype born to Romanov purebred and crossbred ewes

1999 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 525-533 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. H. Fahmy ◽  
C. Gariepy ◽  
J. Fortin
Keyword(s):  
Shear Force ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Intramuscular Fat ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Post Mortem ◽  
Breed Type ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Intramuscular Fat Content

AbstractCarcass quality was evaluated in 35 male and 41 female lambs, 38 expressing the callipyge phenotype (Cg) and 38 controls expressing the normal phenotype (N). Lambs were from Romanov and Suffolk × Romanov ewes mated to two rams heterozygous for the callipyge locus and slaughtered at approximately 44 kg live weight. The Cg lambs reached slaughter weight at 163 days of age, 13 days younger, and had a dressing proportion 0·524 , 0·029 points higher. Also they had more leg (341 v. 308 g/kg), less loin (315 v. 328 g/kg) and less shoulder (340 v. 360 g/kg) than the N lambs. The leg, loin and shoulder wholesale cuts and half the carcass of Cg lambs had 81, 113, 77, and 92 g/kg more lean and 52, 98, 59, and 72 g/kg less fat than N lambs, respectively. The Cg lambs also had larger loin-eye area (18·5 v.13·1 cm2), less backfat at the C (4·1 v. 6·1 mm) and at the GR locations (11·0 v. 15·2 mm) and less internal fat (202 v. 339 g) than the N lambs. Dissection of the 12th rib indicated that Cg lambs had more muscle (574 v. 462 g/kg), less fat (276 v. 358 g/kg) (both P < 0·001) and similar (V > 0·05) bone (155 v. 265 g/kg) to N lambs. Colour of the longissimus muscle was significantly paler in Cg lambs. Intramuscular fat and dry matter of longissimus muscle were significantly lower (49 v. 120 and 247 v. 253 g/kg) in Cg than in N lambs. Cg lambs were significantly different (P < 0·05) from N lambs for all traits studied except age at slaughter, tissues at the GR location, proportion of bone in the 12th rib and the L* colour of the longissimus muscle. Breed type effect was significant only for age at slaughter, whereas the effect of sex was significant for all traits except for proportion of lean in the leg, b* colour and intramuscular fat content of the longissimus muscle. No interactions were significant except phenotype × breed type on fat thickness over the longissimus muscle. Post-mortem ageing of the longissimus muscle for 9 or 15 days caused a significant reduction in muscle toughness in Cg lambs compared with those aged for 3 days (113 v. 98 Newtons) but the muscle was still tougher than that from N lambs (with a shear force of 64 and 51 Newtons at 3 and 9 or 15 days post mortem). The principle component analysis including carcass conformation and composition traits as well as meat quality traits was indicative of a distinctly different carcass ofCg compared with N lambs. The first two principal components explained 0·70 of the total variation.

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.

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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