EFFECTS OF CASTRATION ON LIVE PERFORMANCE, CARCASS YIELD, AND MEAT QUALITY OF MALE PIGS FED WHEAT OR CORN BASED DIETS

Intact (85) and castrated (86) male pigs were slaughtered at 96.3 kg and at an average slaughter age of 150.1 days producing 79.1 kg carcasses. Either a corn or wheat-based, nutritionally equivalent ration was fed ad libitum. Nine percent less feed was required to market entire (intact) males when compared with castrates. Entire males had at least 1.9% more lean content and perhaps as much as 10% more carcass value. Little evidence was found to suggest that entire males had reduced meat quality. Preslaughter handling was an important aspect, since detrimental effects from inadequate preslaughter handling techniques appeared to be greater than those associated with gender. Therefore, considering production aspects only, entire male pigs should be able to be successfully marketed in Canada. However, detection and control of “sex-taint” and consumer acceptance of fresh pork from entire male pigs must be addressed.