BREED AND SEX EFFECTS ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN WEIGHT AND FATNESS IN LACOMBE AND YORKSHIRE SWINE AND THEIR RECIPROCAL CROSSES

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Abstract
The relationship between thickness of fat measured at the shoulder, last rib, and loin of live pigs and market weight (86.2 to 95.2 kg) was studied in 1596 pigs from the Lacombe and Yorkshire breeds and their reciprocal crosses. No significant breed or sex differences were found in the proportion of fat at the three sites. Breed and sex differences were evident in the average depth of fat. The regression coefficients for the mean of three fat measurements on market weight were.016 ±.003,.019 ±.007, and.017 ±.004 for Lacombe males, barrows, and females respectively;.039 ±.002,.036 ±.005, and.041 ±.001 for Yorkshire males, barrows and females respectively;.027 ±.005 and.029 ±.004 for barrows and females from the Lacombe male × Yorkshire female mating; and.023 ±.007 and.021 ±.009 for barrows and females from the Yorkshire male × Lacombe female mating. Comparisons between animals measured at a relatively constant weight should be made after the fat measurement is adjusted for variations in body weight. The results of this study indicate that separate corrections should be applied for each breed. Separate corrections for sexes within breeds do not appear warranted.