Morphological traits, reproductive and productive performances of Casertana pigs reared outdoors [Campania]

To ascertain the traits of Casertana breed, a productive trial was performed by comparing Casertana and Large White pure breeds and their crosses. Sixteen females and 6 males of pure breed Casertana and 18 females and 2 males of pure breed Italian Large White were mated twice to produce Casertana, Large White and Casertana x Large White piglets. The average number of piglets born was significantly lower in Casertana gilts, but no difference in the number of weaned piglets among genetic types was observed. Sixty eight animals of the three genetic types were reared outdoors and received two diets differing for energy content. Pigs were weighted individually every month to calculate the average daily gain. Morphological traits of Casertana pigs were also recorded. A total of 54 animals (21 Casertana at 151 kg live weight, 15 crossbreed at 157 kg live weight and 18 Large White at 179 kg live weight) were slaughtered and data on carcasses were collected. Average daily weight gain differed markedly (P0.05) among genetic types (450, 552, 695 g/d, respectively for Casertana, Casertana x Large White, Large White) and consequently the slaughter weight also differed. Casertana showed higher dressing percentages than Italian Large White (P0.05). Backfat thickness was also clearly affected by genetic type (P0.05): Casertana pigs had the highest value (44.91 mm). The diet had no influence on average daily weight gain and backfat thickness. However, pigs fed with higher energy had higher (P0.05) dressing percentage E' stata condotta una prova sperimentale che ha avuto lo scopo di studiare le performance riproduttive e produttive della razza Casertana, confrontandole con quelle della Large White e dell'ibrido ottenuto incrociando le due razze. A tal proposito sono stati utilizzati 16 femmine e 6 maschi Casertani e 18 femmine e 2 maschi Large White. Relativamente agli aspetti riproduttivi, la Large White ha mostrato una prolificità superiore, ma la Casertana ha rivelato una migliore attitudine materna. Su 68 animali dei tre tipi genetici, allevati all'aperto ed alimentati con due diverse diete, differenti in contenuto energetico, è stato calcolato l'incremento medio giornaliero fino alla macellazione. Su un gruppo di suini Casertani sono stati rilevati i parametri morfologici e i dati ottenuti sono stati confrontati con quelli esistenti in letteratura. Alla macellazione, che ha riguardato 54 animali (21 Casertani di 151 kg, 15 ibridi di 157 kg e 18 Large White di 179 kg),