Management Economics

National Muscle Quality Evaluation

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Abstract

Breeders will be affected as packer and processor payment programs for quality continue to evolve. Breeders should consider how their pork producer customers will market their products in the future when selection priorities are set and selection decisions are made. Results from this test and other muscle quality evaluations show that large differences exist in the industry for most of the muscle quality traits. These differences demonstrate the need for breeders to monitor muscle quality traits, as well as growth and carcass traits, in their breeding programs. Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) for muscle quality parameters should be used by breeders to place selection emphasis on these traits. Incorporation of them into selection indexes will be a major step in meeting the needs of the pork industry of the future.

Keywords: ASL R1495

How to Cite:

Baas, T. J., (1998) “National Muscle Quality Evaluation”, Iowa State University Animal Industry Report 1(1).