Carcass quality and technological and sensory meat quality of once-bred gilts in a seasonal outdoor rearing system

The effects of breed cross on performance and meat quality of once-bred gilts in a seasonal outdoor rearing system

“…This disadvantage of lower economic value per kg meat has to be taken into account when gilts are slaughtered after their first reproduction cycle. However, the lower payment per kg meat might not be justified, because once-bred gilts produce valuable carcasses of good quality with adequate technological and sensory meat quality when comparing to maiden gilts, raised to a higher slaughter weight (HEYER et al, 2004).…”

“…The objective of this study was to compare two types of breed crosses (Large White x Duroc and Large White x Landrace) in a seasonal outdoor piglet production with oncebred gilts regarding maternal performance, carcass quality, technological and sensory meat quality. A comparison between maiden gilts, slaughtered at a live weight about 145 kg and these once-bred gilts has been published elsewhere (HEYER et al, 2004).…”

Effect of breed on performance and meat quality of first parity sows in a seasonal organic rearing system

“…Unfortunately, this system has some disadvantages, especially during winter, in terms of nitrate leaching,7 high feed costs8 and heavy workload. An alternative concept for organic pork production is seasonal outdoor rearing of first parity sows and their offspring during the summer and early autumn as described by Heyer et al 9 The gilts farrow in yearly spring; the sows are slaughtered after weaning their first litter and the offspring at the end of the summer. Traditionally, meat from sows is considered as a low‐quality product.…”

“…Traditionally, meat from sows is considered as a low‐quality product. However, Heyer et al 9 found that meat from sows that farrowed only once are comparable with meat from maiden gilts in terms of sensory meat quality, and the authors conclude that once‐bred gilts produce valuable carcasses and are suitable for outdoor seasonal production.…”