Effect of stalling type on pork meat quality

This study evaluated the effects of two different housing systems (concrete vs. slatted) on pork quality. 234 piglets from 47 sows and 7 sires were used. At weaning, the litters were divided into two sex-balanced groups and raised on either slatted floor or concrete floor. At slaughter, the carcass weight, mean leg weight, leg fat covering, backfat thickness, meat tenderness, marbling, colour, globosity, fat thickness, venous reticulum and leg quality were recorded for each individual. Results showed a positive effect of concrete floor on body weight (P<0.0001). Pigs raised on concrete floors weighed 150.3 kg versus 133.8 kg for pigs raised on slatted floor. Mean leg weight (15.146 vs. 13.977 kg) and leg fat covering (27.917 vs. 25.214 mm) were also significantly higher (P<0.0007) for pigs raised on concrete floors than those on slatted floors. Leg score evaluation showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) for marbling and fat covering.