Recent Trends in Carcass Performance of the Commercial Hog Population in Canada

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Abstract
Over the 6-year period 1969 to 1974 the proportion of commercial hog carcasses grading 102 and higher in the Canadian hog slaughter increased from 48.2% to 60.0%. Comparison of data from surveys conducted prior to and at the conclusion of this period established that this improvement in index was accomplished by a reduction of .18 in (4.5 mm) in graded fat (maximum shoulder plus maximum loin) on a weight constant basis or an increase of 10 lb (4.5 kg) in carcass weight on a fat constant basis. This change is equivalent to an increase of 1.04 lb/carcass (.47 kg) of commercially trimmed retail product. A larger fat reduction occurred for barrows than for gilts with the sex difference reduced from .26 to .21 in (6.6 to 5.3 mm). The regression of fat on weight decreased from .016 to .013 in/lb (.87 to .73 mm/kg) carcass weight. Copyright © 1976. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1976 by American Society of Animal Science.