Performance Characteristics of Crossbred Pigs with Graded Percentages of Pietrain

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Abstract
Swine from two inbred lines, Minnesota No. 1 (F = .52) and Pietrain (F = .08), were used to produce 118 pigs representing graded percentages of Pietrain at 0, 25, 50, 62.5, 75, 87.5 and 100%. Incidence of the Porcine Stress Syndrome (PSS) was determined by halothane screening at about 100 d of age. Muscle quality and carcass leanness were determined at 90 kg live weight. Results of our study showed that halothane-identified PSS pigs can be used in crossing programs to increase lean meat production without loss in performance, if the females were not PSS-susceptible. Carcass length, mean backfat thickness, color score and average daily gain declined in performance, relative to Minnesota No. 1 pigs, as percentages of Pietrain increased. Linear increases were noted for loin weight, ham weight, loin eye area and ham and loin percentage with increased Pietrain percentage. PSS was absent in pigs that had up to and including 50% Pietrain. Heterosis was observed for carcass length (P<.01), mean backfat thickness (P<.05), dressing percentage (P<.05) and lean gain/kg of feed (P<.05). Differences for reciprocal differences were observed for loin weight (P<.05), ham and loin percentage (P<.05) and lean gain/kg of feed (P<.05). The advantage was for pigs that had Pietrain mothers. Copyright © 1982. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1982 by American Society of Animal Science

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