Comparison of extensive and intensive pig production systems in Uruguay in terms of ethologic, physiologic and meat quality parameters

The objective of this work is to characterize two contrasting systems of fattening pigs in Uruguay. A total of 96 pigs (average 41.7 kg) were divided into eight groups of 12 animals, representing two production systems: (IN) pigs confined in pens of 12 m(2) or (OUT) kept in plots with field shelters...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Blumetto, O., Calvet, Salvador, Estellés, Fernando, Villagrá, Arantxa
Format: article
Language:Inglés
Published: 2017
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/4883
_version_ 1855032191363317760
author Blumetto, O.
Calvet, Salvador
Estellés, Fernando
Villagrá, Arantxa
author_browse Blumetto, O.
Calvet, Salvador
Estellés, Fernando
Villagrá, Arantxa
author_facet Blumetto, O.
Calvet, Salvador
Estellés, Fernando
Villagrá, Arantxa
author_sort Blumetto, O.
collection ReDivia
description The objective of this work is to characterize two contrasting systems of fattening pigs in Uruguay. A total of 96 pigs (average 41.7 kg) were divided into eight groups of 12 animals, representing two production systems: (IN) pigs confined in pens of 12 m(2) or (OUT) kept in plots with field shelters and access to pasture. Behavioral observations were performed by scan sampling at 5-minute intervals, three times a day during weeks 6, 8, 10 and 12 of the experiment. Aggressions were also observed at the end of the experimental period. Blood samples were taken for cortisol analysis and other physiological parameters, during growth period and slaughter and meat quality characteristics were assessed after slaughter. Differences were found in carcass characteristics, wherein IN presented a higher dorsal fat. These animals presented an overall lower activity and spent less time resting, with a stable pattern throughout the day. In OUT, pigs usually rested at midday hours, more active in the morning and afternoon. The number of total reciprocal aggressions in the observation period was 4.2 +/- 3.7 for IN and 2.3 +/- 2.2 for OUT. Cortisol levels and biochemical profile did not show evidence of important problems in the animals. Welfare is not compromised in any of the systems, although higher levels of cortisol and aggressions could be indicating some stress problems in the confinement system. Meat characteristics in OUT were considered better than in IN from a nutritional point of view.
format article
id ReDivia4883
institution Instituto Valenciano de Investigaciones Agrarias (IVIA)
language Inglés
publishDate 2017
publishDateRange 2017
publishDateSort 2017
record_format dspace
spelling ReDivia48832025-04-25T14:44:50Z Comparison of extensive and intensive pig production systems in Uruguay in terms of ethologic, physiologic and meat quality parameters Blumetto, O. Calvet, Salvador Estellés, Fernando Villagrá, Arantxa The objective of this work is to characterize two contrasting systems of fattening pigs in Uruguay. A total of 96 pigs (average 41.7 kg) were divided into eight groups of 12 animals, representing two production systems: (IN) pigs confined in pens of 12 m(2) or (OUT) kept in plots with field shelters and access to pasture. Behavioral observations were performed by scan sampling at 5-minute intervals, three times a day during weeks 6, 8, 10 and 12 of the experiment. Aggressions were also observed at the end of the experimental period. Blood samples were taken for cortisol analysis and other physiological parameters, during growth period and slaughter and meat quality characteristics were assessed after slaughter. Differences were found in carcass characteristics, wherein IN presented a higher dorsal fat. These animals presented an overall lower activity and spent less time resting, with a stable pattern throughout the day. In OUT, pigs usually rested at midday hours, more active in the morning and afternoon. The number of total reciprocal aggressions in the observation period was 4.2 +/- 3.7 for IN and 2.3 +/- 2.2 for OUT. Cortisol levels and biochemical profile did not show evidence of important problems in the animals. Welfare is not compromised in any of the systems, although higher levels of cortisol and aggressions could be indicating some stress problems in the confinement system. Meat characteristics in OUT were considered better than in IN from a nutritional point of view. 2017-06-01T10:11:15Z 2017-06-01T10:11:15Z 2013 JUL 2013 article publishedVersion Blumetto Velazco, O. R., Calvet Sanz, S., Estellés Barber, F., & Villagrá García, A. (2013). Comparison of extensive and intensive pig production systems in Uruguay in terms of ethologic, physiologic and meat quality parameters. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 42(7), 521-529. 1516-3598 http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/4883 en openAccess Impreso
spellingShingle Blumetto, O.
Calvet, Salvador
Estellés, Fernando
Villagrá, Arantxa
Comparison of extensive and intensive pig production systems in Uruguay in terms of ethologic, physiologic and meat quality parameters
title Comparison of extensive and intensive pig production systems in Uruguay in terms of ethologic, physiologic and meat quality parameters
title_full Comparison of extensive and intensive pig production systems in Uruguay in terms of ethologic, physiologic and meat quality parameters
title_fullStr Comparison of extensive and intensive pig production systems in Uruguay in terms of ethologic, physiologic and meat quality parameters
title_full_unstemmed Comparison of extensive and intensive pig production systems in Uruguay in terms of ethologic, physiologic and meat quality parameters
title_short Comparison of extensive and intensive pig production systems in Uruguay in terms of ethologic, physiologic and meat quality parameters
title_sort comparison of extensive and intensive pig production systems in uruguay in terms of ethologic physiologic and meat quality parameters
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11939/4883
work_keys_str_mv AT blumettoo comparisonofextensiveandintensivepigproductionsystemsinuruguayintermsofethologicphysiologicandmeatqualityparameters
AT calvetsalvador comparisonofextensiveandintensivepigproductionsystemsinuruguayintermsofethologicphysiologicandmeatqualityparameters
AT estellesfernando comparisonofextensiveandintensivepigproductionsystemsinuruguayintermsofethologicphysiologicandmeatqualityparameters
AT villagraarantxa comparisonofextensiveandintensivepigproductionsystemsinuruguayintermsofethologicphysiologicandmeatqualityparameters