Body composition estimation in vivo and on the carcass of pigs raised on pastures

To compare the prediction of body composition in vivo and in slaughtered animals, a pig population with a broad genetical background, was used to determine the extent on which that prediction was affected by different characters (sex, slaughter body weight and lean percentage). Seventy-two barrows and 57 gilts were measured firstly ultrasonically (PigLog 105 - P) in vivo and then their carcasses were evaluated with a Fat-O-Meater apparatus (FOM) at the abattoir. Data were analysed by means of the Student t test for paired observations and subjected to linear correlation studies with the correlation coefficient. P and FOM measurements of lean percentage were positively and significantly associated (r = 0.68, P