PIG MEAT QUALITY IN BREEDING PRACTICE

The MHS-gene is of central importance within the breeding strategies f or the improvement of meat quality. The results submitted from literat ure and own examinations about performance traits of MHS-genotypes dif ferentiated by means of the MHS-gene-test show distinct advantages of the homozygote NN-animals in meat quality traits. Due to a lower meat portion of 2% in these animals, in practice the production of heterozy gote fattening end products is preferred. Future breeding work may not only be limited to the reduction of the risk relating to the occurenc e of meat quality deficiencies. A general improvement of meat quality traits, especially of the eating quality, is required. The breeding me thods are concentrated on the selection with adequate characteristic c riteria, such as LF(24)-value, within the homozygote (NN) parent breed s.