FARMING NOTES

Franklin Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 108, 14 September 1938, Page 8 (Supplement)

FARMING NOTES

CARCASE YIELD OF PIGS

The loss of weight in transit of a pig from farm to factory, and then during dressing, varies greatly, and it is not possible to say exactly wliat affect the amount of loss are: The size of the pig (the larger pig will weight a pig will lose. Factors which lose a lower percentage) : the manner in which the pig had been fed: the distance of the journey from farm to factory; the conformation and condition of the pig, and the amount of food contained in its alimentary track when it is weighed alive. In tests ii lias been shown that under conditions similar to those ordinarily ruling in Queensland, pigs weighing 1501 b to 20011) alive on 1 lie farm lose about 10 per cent, of this weight in transit to the lactory and ing. Lighter pigs, weighing 1001 bto then another 20 per cent, in dress--14 01b alive, usually lose approximately 33 per cent, by the time they are dressed. While these figures possibly are a fair average, individual pigs vary considerably according to the factors already mentioned. As a rough guide in estimated dressed weight from live weight. farmers usually take seven-tenths of the ive weight for baconers and two-lbirds of the live weight for porkers.