Genetic variation in efficiency to deposit lean meat and fat in Norwegian Landrace pigs

Data were recorded on 7,434 Norwegian Landrace boars born from 2008 to 2013. Data was provided from the boar test station of the Norwegian Pig Breeders’ Association. Feed consumption in the test period was registered together with carcass traits assessed by computer tomography. The data were analyzed with an animal model with lean meat (kg) and fat (kg) included as covariates through fixed and random regressions. The results showed significant genetic variation in the animals’ efficiency to deposit lean meat and fat, and indicated that there was a greater genetic variation in efficiency to deposit fat compared with lean meat. The genetic correlation between the two efficiency traits was high (0.72), indicating that these two factors are distinct, albeit correlated genetic traits.