Determination of Optimal Harvest Weight for Mangalica Pigs Using a Serial Harvest Approach to Measure Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics

Abstract

Mangalica pigs are a popular niche breed given their reputation for superior pork quality. However, growth and carcass parameters for this breed are poorly documented. To better characterize optimal harvest weights for the Mangalica, a growth trial was conducted whereby pigs (n = 56) were randomly distributed across stratified harvest weights (50, 57, 68, 82, 93, 102, 127 kg) in a completely randomized design. Pigs were fed standard finisher rations with individual daily feed intakes and weekly body weights recorded for all animals. At 24 h postmortem, carcasses were split and ribbed with marbling and loin eye area (LEA) measured at the 10th rib. Primal cuts were fabricated and individually weighed. Fat back was separated from the loin and weighed. As expected, live weight significantly increased across the weight class (p < 0.0001). ADG was similar across classes up to 82 kg live weight, before steadily declining with increasing weight class (p < 0.0025). Likewise, feed efficiency did not differ between classes until weights heavier than 82 kg (p < 0.03). LEA significantly increased by class up to 82 kg and then plateaued as harvest weight increased further (p < 0.003). Marbling score significantly increased with increasing weight class up to 102 kg, where they then plateaued (p < 0.04). Fat back dramatically increased across all weight classes (p < 0.0001) despite negligible increases in LEA or marbling after 102 kg. Primal cut weights for the ham (p < 0.0001), loin (p < 0.0001), Boston butt (p < 0.0001), shoulder (p < 0.0001), and belly (p < 0.0001) all significantly increased with increasing live weight though significant fat deposition contributed to this gain. These data suggest an optimal harvest weight occurs between 82 to 102 kg, while offering little objective justification for harvesting Mangalica pigs at heavier live weights.

Feeding Ractopamine Improves the Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of the Lard-Type Mangalica Pig

“…Few studies characterizing the growth performance of Mangalica pigs exist in the literature, with most focusing on their performance when reared in pasture-based production systems such as those typical of rural eastern European communities. We have recently conducted growth trials using Mangalica pigs fed a concentrated ration while reared in confinement within a closed herd as is typical of modern U.S. production facilities [16,17]. Under such conditions, the growth performance of Mangalica pigs is characterized by an ADG of 0.450 kg per day, a feed intake of 2.2 kg per day, and a gain efficiency of 0.230 [16,17].…”

“…We have recently conducted growth trials using Mangalica pigs fed a concentrated ration while reared in confinement within a closed herd as is typical of modern U.S. production facilities [16,17]. Under such conditions, the growth performance of Mangalica pigs is characterized by an ADG of 0.450 kg per day, a feed intake of 2.2 kg per day, and a gain efficiency of 0.230 [16,17]. In the current study utilizing similar conditions, pigs within the control group exhibited an ADG of 0.525 kg/day, daily feed intake of 2.23 kg per day, and an FE of 0.241.…”

“…Pigs with an initial body weight of 73.3 kg were randomly assigned to a typical finisher ration (14.8% crude protein, 4.6% fat, 3.47 mcal/kg metabolizable energy, 0.68% calcium, 0.45% available phosphorus) supplemented with either 0 or 20 mg per kg ractopamine hydrochloride (RAC; Elanco Animal Health, Greenfield, IN; n = 14 per treatment) for 21 days with gender evenly distributed across treatments (Table 1). The slow growth rates and low percentage of lean growth exhibited by this breed do not warrant supplementation of amino acids and phosphorus to the basal diet in the RAC-fed animals [6,16,17]. Daily feed intakes and weekly body weights were recorded for all animals in the test to facilitate measurement of average daily gain (ADG), gain efficiency (kg gained:kg feed), dressing percentage ((hot carcass weight/live weight) × 100)), and total feed intake.…”

“…The Mangalica is well positioned as a niche breed, given it is a lard-type hog known for its high-quality lard that contributes to highly marbled, uniquely flavored meat cuts [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]. Recent research characterizing their growth performance and carcass merit confirms that Mangalica pork is more highly marbled and redder in color compared to modern breeds harvested at similar weights [16,17]. However, the superior quality associated with the higher propensity of Mangalica pigs to fatten compared to modern production breeds occurs at the expense of poorer growth performance, lower carcass cutability, and excessive accretion of trim or waste fat [5][6][7][8][9][10].…”

“…Unfortunately, little information exists in the literature concerning the impact of growth promotants such as RAC on growth performance, body composition, and pork quality traits in the Mangalica pig. Our recent work indicates that, concerning carcass merit, there is little justification for harvesting Mangalica pigs at body weights greater than 80-100 kg because of the excessive fat accretion that occurs relative to the limited increase in leanness observed at heavier weights in this breed [17]. To assess the potential that feeding RAC is a viable strategy to limit excessive fat accretion without harming pork quality in heritage breeds, the RAC response needs to be better characterized in finishing Mangalica.…”