Decreasing gain in P2 backfat with the second Improvac vaccination's timing

Project goal

Altering the timing of an immunocastration vaccine (Improvac) to reduce its impact on attributes of pig performance

Project summary

Boar taint is an unpleasant odour and flavour detected in the cooking of pork from entire male pigs, and has become a limitation to the consumption and demand of Australian pork.

Improvac immunocastrates male pigs while still allowing most of the same performance attributes as entire male pigs. However, causes an increase in P2 backfat, which can result in penalties for the producer at processing.

This study aimed to measure the effect of providing the second Improvac vaccination at different times (0, 2, 3, 4 and 6 weeks before slaughter) on pig performance and carcass characteristics.

Value for producers:

  • Reducing the time between the second Improvac vaccination and slaughter to two weeks, instead of four weeks, allows for the control of boar taint levels without increasing the depth of P2 backfat.
  • This enables greater flexibility for producers, allowing them to sell pigs as soon as they reach market weight and thus saving on feed costs.
  • Reduced aggression amongst pigs, which improves welfare, improves pork quality, and reduces losses due to trimming at processing

Recommendations:

  • The second Improvac vaccination can be moved closer to slaughter (2-3 weeks instead of 4-5 weeks) and still prevent boar taint.
  • Pigs should not be sold any sooner than two weeks after the second vaccination, as there is no data to support freedom from boar taint
  • Carcass lesions were also lower in the animals that were vaccinated, regardless of when the vaccination was given, indicating reduced regression.
Research enquiries