Validity of Weight Estimation Models in Pigs Reared under Different Management Conditions

A study was carried out to determine the relationship between linear body measurements and live weight in Landrace and Large White pigs reared under different management conditions in Zimbabwe. Data was collected for body length, heart girth, and live weight in 358 pigs reared under intensive commer...

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Main Authors: Marvelous Sungirai, Lawrence Masaka, Tonderai Maxwell Benhura
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2014-01-01
Series:Veterinary Medicine International
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/530469
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author Marvelous Sungirai
Lawrence Masaka
Tonderai Maxwell Benhura
author_facet Marvelous Sungirai
Lawrence Masaka
Tonderai Maxwell Benhura
author_sort Marvelous Sungirai
collection DOAJ
description A study was carried out to determine the relationship between linear body measurements and live weight in Landrace and Large White pigs reared under different management conditions in Zimbabwe. Data was collected for body length, heart girth, and live weight in 358 pigs reared under intensive commercial conditions. The stepwise multiple linear regression method was done to develop a model using a random selection of 202 records of pigs. The model showed that age, body length, and heart girth were useful predictors of live weight in these pigs with significantly high positive correlations observed. The model was internally validated using records of the remaining 156 pigs and there was a significantly high positive correlation between the actual and predicted weights. The model was then externally validated using 40 market age pigs reared under communal conditions and there was a significantly low positive correlation between the actual and predicted weights. The results of the study show that while linear measurements can be useful in predicting pig weights the appropriateness of the model is also influenced by the management of the pigs. Models can only be applicable to pigs reared under similar conditions of management.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2090-8113
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language English
publishDate 2014-01-01
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series Veterinary Medicine International
spelling doaj-art-5dc0680bc8424f0cb24bb61bf55dd42c2025-02-03T01:30:36ZengWileyVeterinary Medicine International2090-81132042-00482014-01-01201410.1155/2014/530469530469Validity of Weight Estimation Models in Pigs Reared under Different Management ConditionsMarvelous Sungirai0Lawrence Masaka1Tonderai Maxwell Benhura2Department of Livestock and Wildlife Management, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, Gweru, ZimbabweDepartment of Livestock and Wildlife Management, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, Gweru, ZimbabweDepartment of Livestock and Wildlife Management, Midlands State University, Private Bag 9055, Gweru, ZimbabweA study was carried out to determine the relationship between linear body measurements and live weight in Landrace and Large White pigs reared under different management conditions in Zimbabwe. Data was collected for body length, heart girth, and live weight in 358 pigs reared under intensive commercial conditions. The stepwise multiple linear regression method was done to develop a model using a random selection of 202 records of pigs. The model showed that age, body length, and heart girth were useful predictors of live weight in these pigs with significantly high positive correlations observed. The model was internally validated using records of the remaining 156 pigs and there was a significantly high positive correlation between the actual and predicted weights. The model was then externally validated using 40 market age pigs reared under communal conditions and there was a significantly low positive correlation between the actual and predicted weights. The results of the study show that while linear measurements can be useful in predicting pig weights the appropriateness of the model is also influenced by the management of the pigs. Models can only be applicable to pigs reared under similar conditions of management.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/530469
spellingShingle Marvelous Sungirai
Lawrence Masaka
Tonderai Maxwell Benhura
Validity of Weight Estimation Models in Pigs Reared under Different Management Conditions
Veterinary Medicine International
title Validity of Weight Estimation Models in Pigs Reared under Different Management Conditions
title_full Validity of Weight Estimation Models in Pigs Reared under Different Management Conditions
title_fullStr Validity of Weight Estimation Models in Pigs Reared under Different Management Conditions
title_full_unstemmed Validity of Weight Estimation Models in Pigs Reared under Different Management Conditions
title_short Validity of Weight Estimation Models in Pigs Reared under Different Management Conditions
title_sort validity of weight estimation models in pigs reared under different management conditions
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2014/530469
work_keys_str_mv AT marveloussungirai validityofweightestimationmodelsinpigsrearedunderdifferentmanagementconditions
AT lawrencemasaka validityofweightestimationmodelsinpigsrearedunderdifferentmanagementconditions
AT tonderaimaxwellbenhura validityofweightestimationmodelsinpigsrearedunderdifferentmanagementconditions