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Suitability of traditional and conventional pig breeds in organic and low-input production systems in Europe: Survey results and a review of literature

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 April 2013

J.I. Leenhouwers  and
J.W.M. Merks
J.I. Leenhouwers*
Affiliation:
TOPIGS Research Center IPG, Beuningen, The Netherlands
J.W.M. Merks
Affiliation:
Genetics' Added Value B.V., Eindhoven, The Netherlands
*
Correspondence to: J.I. Leenhouwers, TOPIGS Research Center IPG, Beuningen, The Netherlands. email: jascha.leenhouwers@ipg.nl
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Summary

For many years, there has been debate about the suitability of traditional and conventional pig breeds in low-input and organic production systems. This review compiles reproductive and finishing performance of traditional and conventional breeds in low-input and organic production systems in Europe, based on literature studies and farm surveys until 2010. In comparison with traditional breeds, conventional breeds wean many piglets, have efficient and fast growth and lean carcasses. They thrive well in North West European climatic conditions with temperate summers and mild winters. Optimal housing may be indoors with outdoor runs, because this provides a controlled environment in which large litters are more easily managed. The lean meat of conventional breeds is suitable for the commodity organic pork market. Traditional breeds comprise a group of prolific breeds with good finishing performance (e.g. Saddlebacks, Pulawska) and breeds kept for special meat production (e.g. Ibérico, Cinta Senese). The prolific and leaner traditional breeds are suitable for commodity organic pork production, especially when crossed with conventional white boar breeds to give some extra leanness to the carcass. Special meat breeds are unsuitable for commodity organic pork production owing to their low fertility and high carcass fatness, but extra added value is obtained by their specific meat and fat quality.

Résumé

Pendant longtemps, il a été débattu de la pertinence des races porcines traditionnelles et conventionnelles dans les systèmes de production biologique et dans ceux à faible apport d'intrants. Cette synthèse compile des données de performances reproductives et en finition de races traditionnelles et conventionnelles dans des systèmes de production biologique et à faible apport d'intrants en Europe, sur la base d'études bibliographiques et d'enquêtes d'exploitation réalisées jusqu'à 2010. Par rapport aux races traditionnelles, les races conventionnelles sèvrent un grand nombre de porcelets, ont une croissance efficiente et rapide et des carcasses maigres. Ces races prospèrent bien dans les conditions climatiques du nord-ouest de l'Europe avec des étés tempérés et des hivers doux. Le logement dans des bâtiments avec parcours en plein air peut être le logement optimal puisque celui-ci offre un environnement contrôlé qui rend plus facile la conduite des grandes portées. La viande maigre des races conventionnelles convient au marché de la viande de porc biologique. Les races traditionnelles comprennent un groupe de races prolifiques avec de bonnes performances en finition (par exemple, Saddleback, Pulawska) et des races élevées pour la production de viande spéciale (par exemple, Ibérico, Cinta Senese). Les races traditionnelles prolifiques plus maigres sont appropriées pour la production de viande de porc biologique, notamment lorsqu'elles sont croisées avec des verrats de races conventionnelles blanches dans le but d'avoir des carcasses encore plus maigres. Les races à viande spéciale ne conviennent pas à la production de viande de porc biologique à cause de leur faible fertilité et du fait d'avoir des carcasses très grasses. La spécificité de leur viande et la qualité de leur gras apportent cependant de la valeur ajoutée supplémentaire.

Resumen

Durante muchos años se ha debatido sobre la idoneidad de las razas porcinas tradicionales y convencionales en los sistemas de producción ecológica y en aquéllos con bajo nivel de insumos. Esta revisión recopila datos de rendimientos reproductivos y de acabado de razas tradicionales y convencionales en sistemas de producción ecológica y con bajo nivel de insumos en Europa, en base a estudios bibliográficos y encuestas ganaderas realizados hasta 2010. En comparación con las razas tradicionales, las razas convencionales destetan muchos lechones, crecen de forma rápida y eficiente y tienen unas canales magras. Estas razas prosperan bien en las condiciones climáticas del noroeste europeo con veranos templados e inviernos suaves. El alojamiento en naves con parques exteriores puede ser el alojamiento óptimo puesto que proporciona un ambiente controlado en el que el manejo de grandes camadas resulta más fácil. La carne magra de las razas convencionales es apropiada para el mercado de carne de cerdo ecológica. Las razas tradicionales comprenden un grupo de razas prolíficas con buenos rendimientos en el acabado (por ejemplo, Saddleback, Pulawska) y razas criadas para la producción de carne especial (por ejemplo, Ibérico, Cinta Senese). Las razas tradicionales prolíficas más magras son adecuadas para la producción de carne de cerdo ecológica, sobre todo cuando son cruzadas con verracos de razas convencionales blancas con el fin de obtener canales aún más magras. Las razas de carne especial no son apropiadas para la producción de carne de cerdo ecológica debido a su baja fertilidad y al elevado contenido en grasa de sus canales. No obstante, el carácter específico de su carne y la calidad de su grasa aportan un valor añadido extra.

Keywords

pigorganicbreedperformanceporcbiologiqueraceperformancescerdoecológicorazarendimientos
Type
Special Issue: Adding value
Information
Animal Genetic Resources/Resources génétiques animales/Recursos genéticos animales , Volume 53 , December 2013 , pp. 169 - 184
Copyright
Copyright © Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 2013 

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