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A comparison of four ultrasonic machines (sonatest, scanogram, Ilis Observer and Danscanner) for predicting the body composition of live pigs

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

A. J. Kempster ,
A. Cuthbertson ,
M. G. Owen  and
J. C. Alliston
A. J. Kempster
Affiliation:
Meat and Livestock Commission, PO Box 44, Queensway House, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2EF
A. Cuthbertson
Affiliation:
Meat and Livestock Commission, PO Box 44, Queensway House, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2EF
M. G. Owen
Affiliation:
Meat and Livestock Commission, PO Box 44, Queensway House, Bletchley, Milton Keynes MK2 2EF
J. C. Alliston
Affiliation:
ARC Animal Breeding Research Organisation, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JQ
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Abstract

Measurements of the m. longissimus and overlying fat at the last rib were taken on the live pig using ultrasonic machines of differing complexity: Sonatest (simple A-mode machine), Scanogram and His Observer (modified linear scanners), and Danscanner (‘real time’ scanner). These measurements were examined as predictors of the corresponding carcass measurements and percentage lean in the carcass.

Sonatest and Scanogram were compared using 143 purebred and crossbred pigs of different types. The analysis was pooled within breed-type and sex. The standard deviation for percentage lean was 3·94. Residual standard deviations for predicting percentage lean from live weight and best fat thickness were 2·72 (Sonatest) and 2·56 (Scanogram). Addition of m. longissimus depth (Sonatest) and m. longissimus area (Scanogram) reduced these to 2·69 and 2·29 respectively. The use of two or more fat measurements provided no extra precision over a single fat measurement.

Scanogram and His Observer were compared using a subset of 38 pigs. Scanogram was a better predictor of percentage lean using a single fat measurement but when a combination of measurements was used, there was little difference between the machines.

Scanogram and Danscanner were compared using a subset of 27 pigs. The standard deviation of percentage lean was 3·57. Residual standard deviations for predicting percentage lean from live weight, best fat depth and m. longissimus area were 2·18 (Scanogram), and 2·03 (Danscanner). Fat areas had similar predictive precision to fat thickness measurements.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 29 , Issue 2 , October 1979 , pp. 175 - 181
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1979

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References

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