The Influence Of Genoytype, Sex, And Dietary Lysine On Carcass Quality Characteristics Of 230 And 280 Lb Finishing Pigs

Kansas State University Swine Research. When pigs were fed to 230 lb, high-lean genotype loin eyes had less visual marbling and a higher saturation index (more vivid or intense color) than medium-lean genotype loin eyes. Loin eye chops from high-lean gilts had greater cooking losses and Warner- Bratzler shear values (mechanically tougher) than those from high-lean barrows and medium-lean barrows and gilts. When pigs were fed to 280 lb, medium-lean genotype loin eyes had a lighter color visually and indicated by Hunter L* values, more marbling, less firmness, more moisture exudate, and a higher chop thaw loss than high-lean loin eyes. Barrow loin eyes had more marbling and less thaw loss than gilt loin eyes. Loin eye chops from high-lean barrows had higher Warner-Bratzler shear values than high-lean gilts and medium-lean barrows and gilts. Dietary lysine levels had minimal effects on carcass quality for pigs fed to either 230 or 280 lb.