ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN THE QUALITY CHARACTERISTICS OF GROWING-FINISHING PIGS OF COMMERCIAL PRODUCTION, RAISED IN EASTERN BULGARIA

Jivko Nakev, Tania Nikolova

Abstract: The study was carried out with 186 211 growing-finishing pigs of commercial production in eight pig producers in Eastern Bulgaria (regions Shumen, Varna, Burgas and Ruse) and slaughtered in two slaughterhouses during the period from 2012 to 2015. The aim was to analyze the changes in the quality characteristics of pig carcasses. Using the carcass classification system SEUROP the value of pig carcasses raised. The lean meat percent was 56.01% and the weight of classified pig carcases was 84.588 kg for the studied period. The percentage of carcasses in Class E increased from 65.45% in 2012 to 76.49% in 2015, while those in classes U and R decreased by 13.89% and 0.89%, respectively. Carcasses from 70 kg to 99.9 kg occupied 91.8% of the study sample. The weight class 80 kg – 89.9 kg occupied the highest percentage – 44.26% followed by classes – 70 kg
– 79.9 kg (25.42%) and 90 kg – 99.9 kg (22.12%).

Keywords: lean meat; pig carcass; SEUROP; weight

Date published: 2017-07-07