Estimation of Carcass Cut Traits in Live Pigs

Means measuring carcass cut traits in live pigs is needed to genetically improve the production of favorite cuts in swine. The data of body measurements as well as carcass traits were collected from 432 heads of 4 crossbred lines. Weights of most parts and percentages of belly and boston in carcass were significantly influenced by days to slaughter. Most of off test body measurements show higher correlations with carcass cut traits than body measurements of on test and market do. The multiple regression equations for estimation of carcass cut traits by off test body measurements have higher accuracy than by body measurements of on test and market. The coefficients of determination in estimation of polynomial regression with off test body measurements after adjustments of carcass cut traits for days to market were ranged 0.59 to 0.68 and 0.33 to 0.43 in weights and percentages of carcass cuts, respectively. Develop- ment of an excellent Korean type seed stock for favorite cuts can be expected, if the estimation of carcass cut traits for live animals is implemented in swine genetic improvement program.