The causes of seasonal variation in backfat thickness of pigs in Western Australia

Authors

M Trezona, Department of Agriculture and Food WA
B P. Mullan, Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Western AustraliaFollow
Mario F. D'Antuono, Department of Agriculture and Food WAFollow
R H. Wilson, Wandalup Farms, WAFollow
I H. Williams, University of Western Australia

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-26-2004

Journal Title

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research

ISSN

1444-9838

Keywords

P2, carcass quality, season

Disciplines

Animal Sciences | Meat Science

Abstract

Anecdotal observations suggest that pigs get fatter at certain times of the year. Abattoir data from a major Western Australian genotype were investigated to determine whether there is seasonal variation in P2, and if so, what factors may contribute to this. In the data collected, it was found that pigs were fattest during spring and leanest during autumn. At initial observation, variation in carcass weight (hence liveweight at slaughter) appeared to explain much of the variation in carcass fatness. However, fitting a linear mixed model to the P2 data, adjusted for carcass weight, indicated that there was also a significant effect of season on carcass quality.

Recommended Citation

Trezona M. , Mullan B. P. , D'Antuono M. , Wilson R. H. Williams I. H. (2004) The causes of seasonal variation in backfat thickness of pigs in Western Australia. Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 55, 273-277. https://doi.org/10.1071/AR03029