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This study aimed to compare the grazing behaviour of two pig genetic types, Cinta Senese (CS) and its crossbreed with Large White (LW x CS), farmed in natural rearing system in Tuscany, as influenced by diurnal time slot and by the season of the year. In situ direct observations on two herds of grazing pigs were conducted during daylight hours for five consecutive days and repeated bimonthly for a period of one year. The observations were grouped into three diurnal time slots and the relative frequencies of the main activities were obtained. Data were subjected to ANOVA with genetic type, diurnal time slot and month as fixed effects. The results, valid for the genotypes and the specific rearing system considered, highlighted that pigs displayed species-specific foraging behaviours for a long time and showed very low levels of other behaviours as aggressive or stereotypes. Both genotypes spent about 72% of the daylight hours for feeding, mainly dedicated to grass feeding. Nevertheless, CS pigs devoted less time to grazing pasture respect to LWxCS. Throughout the months, grazing was preferred to rooting, especially when herbaceous resources were more available. The proportion of diurnal time dedicated to feeding by pigs was reduced with the hot season, but CS seems more affected compared to LWxCS. In extensive rearing systems, Cinta Senese pig and its crossbreeds employed most of the diurnal time in grass feeding. Cinta Senese pigs devoted less time to grazing pasture respect to LWxCS, especially during hot months and the central hours of the day. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluates the potential of Fourier transformation near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy to estimate the nutritional value and the chemical composition of natural pastures. Variability from all samples of pastures available is considered in order to assess the applicability of the calibration models in the future predictions. Chemical components (dry matter, crude protein, ash, ether extract, crude fibre, fibrous fractions) of grass samples were determined by applying official methods, and milk and meat forage units were calculated. Calibration and validation models were developed between chemical–nutritional parameters and NIRS spectral data using partial least square regression (PLS). The capacity of methods has been achieved using two validation approaches: the first using an independent dataset for prediction and the second by cross-validation process. The results are evaluated in term of coefficient of determination, root-mean-square error and residual prediction deviation. Despite the wide variability of the data set, the results of FT-NIRS have been able to estimate the chemical composition of natural and naturalised pasture with good accuracy and precision, while for nutritional value parameters, a further evaluation may be useful. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of diets containing genetically modified organism-free legumes as a replacement of soybean on the basis of performance, carcass composition and quality of local pig meat (Cinta Senese). Twenty-four Cinta Senese barrows were divided into 3 dietary groups and were each fed with a diet containing different protein sources: soybean meal (SOY), Vicia faba (FABA) and Pisum sativum (PEA) (8 pigs for each group). The diets were isonitrogenous and isocaloric and contained approximately 14.5% crude protein and 14.8 MJ/kg of digestible energy (on dry matter). Each group was reared outdoors in a paddock of 3500 m2. In vivo performances were not different among groups. At slaughter, differences in subcutaneous fat thickness appeared only in the outer layer, at the last thoracic vertebra level, which was lowest in the PEA group. No differences were found in the sample joint composition. With regard to the chemico-physical traits of meat and fat, the FABA group had the highest values of redness in lean and backfat, while the PEA group showed higher moisture and lower fat content in meat compared to the SOY group. Differences in the fatty acid profile of backfat were found only for the C16:1 percentage that was higher in FABA than SOY pigs. In conclusion, Vicia faba and Pisum sativum could be a good alternative to soybean in the growing-fattening of Cinta Senese pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to provide first indications on the protein requirement of Cinta Senese pigs. The effect of various dietary protein contents on in vita performance was tested. Sixty Cinta Senese pigs were equally distributed in four dietary groups, balanced for sex (barrow and gilt) and live weight. At the start of the trial, pigs were approximately 130 d old and weighed an average 46.6 kg. Groups were fed four diets with different protein content (approximately 8, 10, 13 and 16%, named 8% P, 10% P, 13% P, 16% P, respectively), obtained by using different maize/soybean meal ratios. Diets were administered to pigs during the entire growing-fattening period in a controlled dose of 90 g/kg W0.75, until a maximum of 2.5 kg/d pro capite. Feed distributed per pen was recorded daily and individual weight and ultrasonic backfat thickness were periodically recorded. The trial lasted approximately 250 d and finished when animals reached the target slaughter weight of 145 kg. The 8% P diet determined a lower growth rate than the other diets; after 250 d, pigs receiving this diet were 20 kg lighter than those receiving the other diets. The 10% P diet determined body weights always lower than the 13% P and 16% P diets, but the difference decreased in the middle of the trial period. The pigs fed 13% P and 16% P diets showed the same growth rate. Moreover, through the whole growth period, the 8% P diet produced higher fat thickness than the other three diets which showed similar results. The 8% P diet determined the highest FCIs. The 16% P diet showed the best feed conversion until approximately 70 kg of l.w., but after this weight it became progressively less efficient than the 10% P and 13% P diets. Consequently, the cumulative intake of that diet was the lowest only for the first 60 kg of gain. The 10% P diet gave the best FCI starting from 80 kg of l.w. In consideration of the cost of protein feed and the need to reduce N pollution, the 10% P diet could be the optimal compromise for growth-fattening in the Cinta Senese pig, certainly over 70 kg of l.w. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The increasing demand of natural and environmentally sustainable foods promotes the use of natural extract as curing agents in meat products. In this context, the extensive rearing system, characteristic of autochthonous pigs, could represent an added value for the consumers. Moreover, the introduction of new types of products to enhance the second-choice portion of meat can be economically important. The present study aims to test and to evaluate the quality traits during storage times of frankfurter-type sausages of Cinta Senese using natural extract to replace nitrites and nitrates as curing agents. Results of this study demonstrate that those products are safe for the human consumption, but some sensorial and physical traits could be improved. The implementation of a new product using meat of a local breed and agricultural by products as curing agents could be interesting both in terms of sustainability and valorization of the territory and of Cinta Senese products. Frankfurter-type sausages (called sausages) were manufactured using Cinta Senese meat. Two different formulations were considered: (i) nitrite and nitrate as curing agents (NIT), (ii) natural mixture (NAT) totally replacing the synthetic curing agents. Microbiological, chemical, and physical characteristics during three different storage times (7, 30, 60 days) were investigated, while sensorial traits were evaluated at the end of the period. The main foodborne pathogens (Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes, coagulase positive Staphylococcus spp., Salmonella spp., total bacterium at 30 °C) were absent in both sausage groups. Both types of sausage had a high content of fat probably due to the high intramuscular fat of the local breed. The fatty acid composition of NAT sausages would seem slightly less efficient in the lipid oxidation control. Regarding color parameters, NIT sausages showed greater lightness and redness, while NAT ones were more yellow, thanks to the effect of nitrate on color. All texture parameters resulted higher in NIT, except for the springiness. Storage time mainly affected total microbial count, pH, and color. The addition of natural extract changed the perception of some sensorial properties above all in terms of taste and odor. Natural extract represented an alternative to synthetic additives in Cinta Senese sausages even if some attributes could be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]