Estimation of Carcass Merit of Swine from Live Animal Measurements

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Abstract
Live animal measurements at 154 days of age and carcass information were obtained on 663 animals during the period 1955–1957, inclusive. Measurements were taken just prior to slaughter on 496 animals. In 1957 live animal measurements were taken at 84, 112, 140 and 154 days of age on 167 animals. An initial study of splitting and cutting errors in hog carcasses indicated that only one side need be cut to yield reliable data. These data indicate that measurements on live animals at 112 to 154 days of age may be used with a reasonable degree of reliability for predicting percent lean cuts at a subsequent slaughter weight of 205–225 lb. Backfat at the loin and body weight were the best indicators of carcass merit. There were indications that some increase in precision might be realized by including additional body measurements. When the measurements were taken at a fairly constant weight, just prior to slaughter, apparently some increase in accuracy was obtained by adding body measurements to an equation containing backfat probes at the shoulder and loin.

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