Productive performance and carcass characteristics of Pampa females and crosses between Duroc and large White Pigs

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to evaluate and compare the performance at the growing and finishing stage and the carcass characteristics of creole Pampa gilts and crossbred (Duroc x Large White) gilts under feedlot conditions. Ten animals of each genotype (Pampa and crossbreds) were used. The feeding strategy consisted on a balanced diet offered according to weight between 35 and 105 kg of liveweight. The entire period was divided in two stages: growing (35 to 60 kg) and finishing stage (60 to 105 Kg). At 105 kg, the animals were slaughtered and carcass measurements were taken. Differences (P<0.01) were found on average daily gain (GMD) and feed conversion (EC) in ali stages (growing, finishing and total period), in favor of the crossbreds. Mean values for average daily gain were 0.604, 0.677 and 0.655 kg for Pampa females, and 0.677, 0.725 and 0.706 for the crossbreds, for de three periods, respectively. Similar differences were found for EC, the values were 3.69/1, 4.83/1, 4.41/1 and 3.20/1, 4.51/1 and 4.03/1 for the Pampa and cross females for the three periods, respectively. No differences were found for carcass yield (R) (P>0.10). However, differences (P<0.01) were found for carcass length (LC) and dorsal fat depth (EGD). Values found were: R: 79.79 and 79.17%; LC: 93.44 and 98.68 cm; EGD: 4.09 and 3.11 cm for Pampa and crossed pigs respectively. These results showed a better productive performance in an intensive system for the crossbred animals. Utilization of Pampa pigs in crossbreeding experiments must take under consideration these productive differences, and basically the excessive fat depots these animals have at the slaughter weight required by the industry.