ABSTRACT
Alternative methods of pig carcass description were compared as predictors of the weight (kg) of commercial lean yield and fat yield in 209 bacon weight carcasses. The predictors used included hot carcass weight and carcass sex in association with: the backfat measurements used in the Danish grading scheme (minimum loin, 3rd-4th lumbar and 3rd-4th last rib fat thickness); the proposed Australian system (P(2) fat thickness); fat classes published by the South Australian Livestock Marketing Study Group (1980); mid-line carcass measurements (backfat at minimum loin, mid back, maximum shoulder as well as carcass length) and visual carcass grade. There was no difference in precision between the carcass classification systems as predictors of lean yield. (R(2) = 69·0 % and residual standard deviation = 1·5.) Precision varied between the predictors of fat yield. The predictors were ranked as follows with R(2)(%) and residual standard deviation in parentheses. Danish (80·0, 0·50); Australian (70·5, 0·60); fat class (67·8, 0·64); mid-line (64·9, 0·67) and grade (58·1, 0·72).
