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The 2015 trial compared the feed efficiency of 200 pigs—100 pigs per boar line—up to the average U.S. live market weights of 285 to 300 pounds.
“Statistically, a 0.22 feed conversion difference is significant,” says Hypor Nutritionist and Product Manager Greg Simpson. “When you have several thousand pigs, that feed savings per pig really adds up.”
During the trial the pigs were allocated a specific amount of feed per weight range and weighed at the end of each weight range. These numbers were used to calculate how much feed the pigs needed to get to the desired market weight.
“In general, pigs are usually less efficient as they get bigger,” Simpson says. “This trial shows that even at higher weights, the Hypor Magnus is still significantly more feed efficient.”
The product trial compared the Magnus Duroc to the DNA Genetics 600 Duroc.
“We are constantly testing our products against our competitor’s products in North America and Europe,” Simpson says.
In addition to the performance part of the trial, the finishers were sent to a JBS processing plant where samples of loins were taken and then evaluated for meat quality by Iowa State University (ISU).
ISU evaluated the loins based on a 12-factor scale developed by ISU and JBS to rank the quality of meat based on the global market demand.
The 12 factors are based on what consumers from importing countries are looking for in their pork, such as the amount of marbling, the color (dark red versus pale pink) or the amount of purge (water) in the package. The evaluation includes a cooking test, a visual appearance test and a taste-test by a trained panel of experts.
The Hypor Magnus scored an overall 21 points higher than the DNA boar on the meat quality evaluation, meaning it is much more suited for higher value export markets.
Meeting the quality of meat desired by the global market is crucial for the North American industry due to the large volume of pork exported each year—Canada exports more than 50 percent of its pork while U.S. pork exports are at 25 percent growing.
Simpson says that while pork producers are very good at looking at feed efficiency and production, meat processors are looking more deeply at the end product.
“Based on the genetics available, producers need to consider using the boars that are going to increase production and also meet the demand for a quality end product,” Simpson says. “The Hypor Magnus has both a feed conversion advantage, and a meat quality advantage that pays dividends.”
September 28, 2016 - Hypor
