Browsing by Author "Chainetr, W."

In a feeding trial at the experimental station Relliehausen of Gottingen University three feed varieties were tested with two genetically different endproducts in fattening-, carcass- and meat quality traits. The feed varieties differed in the lysin content of the grower diet from 0,85% (EM), 1,0% (AM1) and 1,2% (AM3). The endproducts were progeny of the two crossbred sows BHZP-standard (LW/LR) and Ecotype, whose sires were Saddleback or Bentheimer boars both mated to the same PI(NN) and PI x HA(NN) terminal sires. Results can be summarized as follows: In fattening performance the EM-group showed in both endproducts significantly poorer daily gain but feed conversion rate was only in the ecotype progeny significantly poorer. Carcass performance was in all feed quality groups similar but ecotype progeny graded 1% lower in FOM-lean percent. In meat quality the progeny of Hampshire crossbred boars showed the typical RN- effects in pH24, water- and protein contents of loin. Dam breed and feed groups showed little effects only, but the EM-group pigs had significantly better intramuscular fat contents in the loin than the other feed groups.

Live conservation of purebred populations of old endangered pig breeds requires high financial subsidies because they are very inferior to actual commercial hybrids in overall economy. But subsidies may be considerably reduced if the endangered breeds can be integrated into regional crossbreeding schemes adapted to ecological production niches or designed for specific quality products. The aim of this study at the experimental station Relliehausen of Gottingen University was to compare the performance of two crossbred sows with the endangered breeds Saddleback (DS) and Bentheimer (BB) as dams sire (and LW/LR as dams dam) with commercial LW/LR-crossbred sows in their litter performance as well as meat production and quality traits of their progeny from the same PI(NN)- and (PI HA)-terminal sires. 478 litters with 1,384 fattened and 1,037 carcass graded progeny of which about 600 underwent detailed carcass value and meat quality evaluations at a loin cross section and 48 with an additional sensoric test. Results show that in litter performance DS crossbred sows were comparable to LW/LR commercial sows but BB crossbred sows weaned 0.66 pigs less per litter. In FOM grading no significant differences were found between the three sow groups as well as between the two different terminal sires. This also applied for most meat quality traits but in intramuscular fat content unexpectedly the control pigs were the best and significantly superior to the BB-progeny. The typical highly significant quality differences due to the "Hampshire effect" were found between progeny of the (PI HA)-boar as compared to PI-progeny. In a calculated overall economic value DS-progeny were 4-5 DM and BB-progeny about 8 DM per pig inferior to the commercial controls. These differences are only 1/5 to 1/10 of the purebred inferiority of the endangered breeds. These results should be confirmed by a field trial under more extensive conditions (e.g. outdoor sow- and ecological fattener management).