The effect of organic feeding on carcass and meat quality of fattening pigs

Abstract

The effect of organic feeding on carcass and meat quality was investigated in 160 fattening pigs. All animals received a feed mixture composed of either standard (group I-M1) or organically grown cereals, leguminous seeds and rapeseed cake (experimental groups - M). The pigs additionally received organically cultivated whole-plant maize silage (SM) in groups II and III, and grass silage (SG) in groups IV and V. In groups III and V the animals also received a herb mixture (H). Feeding animals with SM or SG and the herb supplement had an apparent positive effect on carcass quality, meat tenderness and taste. The backfat of the experimental animals contained more PUFA.