# Rearing hogs on pasture minimally impacts pork composition

## TL;DR

Raising pigs on pasture does not significantly affect pork quality compared to indoor rearing, according to a small study.

## Contribution

This pilot study provides empirical evidence that outdoor rearing minimally impacts pork quality, challenging common assumptions.

## Key findings

- Pork quality metrics like pH, color, and marbling were similar between indoor and outdoor-reared pigs.
- Indoor-reared pigs had slightly thicker back fat, but other quality measures showed no significant differences.
- Final body weights and growth rates were comparable across both rearing environments.

## Abstract

Managing swine on pasture is increasing in popularity for both the consumer and producer. This interest appears to be driven by an effort to create an improved perception of environmentally sustainable practices and increased animal welfare, while keeping start-up costs low. However, evidence-based guidance on pasture management practices that support quality pork production and environmentally sustainable procedures is lacking. The objective of this work was to quantify the impact of pasture rearing on pig growth efficiency and pork quality. In this pilot study, 20 pigs similar in genetics, age, weight, and sex ratio were divided across indoor (n = 10) and Outdoor (n = 10) housing environments. Pigs were weighed every 14 d and harvested upon reaching an average weight of 113 kg. Average starting body weights were similar between both groups (P = 0.98). Carcass quality was evaluated by measuring pH, loin eye area (LEA), back fat (BF) thickness, subjective color and marbling scores, and colorimetry (CIE color space [L*, a*, b*]) at the 10th rib. Final body weights at slaughter also showed no significant variation between housing groups (P = 0.98). No differences were observed in pork quality: pH 0 h (P = 0.53), 6 h (P = 0.29), 12 h (P = 0.80), and 24 h (P = 0.07) postmortem, LEA (P = 0.44), color (P = 0.73), and marbling (P = 0.40). However, hogs raised indoors had an increase in BF thickness (P = 0.04). Based on this pilot study, outdoor rearing conditions did not have significant impacts on pork quality. Further research will help to determine the impact that rearing scheme has on pH and BF.

The environment in which pigs are raised, whether indoors or outdoors, is colloquially believed to impact the quality of pork. Results of this study indicate that outdoor rearing conditions do not significantly affect pork quality, challenging conventional beliefs.