Performance of entire, surgically castrated and immunologically castrated male pigs
Document Type
Conference Proceeding
Publication Date
1999
Conference Title
Seventh Biennial Conference of the Australasian Pig Science Association (APSA)
Place of Publication
Adelaide
ISBN
0 957 7226-0-5
ISSN
324-9177
Keywords
Pigs, Castration, Surgical, Immunological, Genotype, Sex, Boar taint
Disciplines
Agribusiness | Agricultural Economics | Animal Sciences | Food Science | Meat Science
Abstract
The castration of boars ceased to be a management strategy within the Australian pig industry more than 30 years ago because of the production efficiencies associated with leaving males intact, especially in regard to average daily gain (ADG), depth of backfat (P2) and feed conversion efficiency (FCE). However, the industry has begun to question whether this practice is still appropriate because of the increased market opportunities in Asia and concern about boar taint. The aim of this experiment was to compare the performance of male pigs of two different genotypes that had been left entire, or which had been surgically or immunologically castrated.
Recommended Citation
Mullan, B.P., Hagan, C.R., Hooper, J.R., Davis, R.J., D’Souza, D.N., 1999. Performance of entire, surgically castrated and immunologically castrated male pigs. In “Manipulating Pig Production VII”, ed., P.D. Cranwell, Australasian Pig Science Association, p. 258.
