Development of ZP Method for Seurop Pig Carcass Grading in Poland

In the present study, ZP method for lean meat content (LMC) evaluation in pig carcasses was tested. The experiment was carried out on 141 pigs selected from animals delivered for slaughter to the SKIBA S.A. meat plant located in Chojnice. The selected pigs originated from three country regions, and differed in respect of subcutaneous fat thickness (7-32 mm), carcass weight (60-120 kg) and sex (50% gilts and 50% castrated males). The main result of the study was a rectilinear regression equation for lean meat content assessment. Two linear measurements were used in the equation, i.e. backfat thickness measured on sacral vertebra and thickness of the muscle layer located between the beginning of the cross section of gluteus medius and back edge of the spinal cord. The evaluation error RMSEP was 2.33% and did not exceed the limit defined in EU regulations. Based on the Commission Decision 2011/506/EU the ZP method was approved to be used for pig carcass grading in Poland. A special measuring template was developed for the industrial use of the ZP method.