The influence of immunocastration on carcass lean meat percentage

In most parts of the world, male pigs that are destined for the market are physically castrated soon after birth in order to reduce the risk of boar taint. However, entire male pigs are more feed efficient and deposit less fat than barrows, particularly at heavy slaughter weights. A welfare– friendly alternative to physical castration is immunization against gonadotrophin releasing factor (GnRF), which allows producers to capitalize on the superior growth and carcass characteristics of entire male production without the risk of boar taint. Pigs vaccinated with Improvac showed in different studies less fat, more meat and higher weight of key individual primal cuts than physical castrates.