Lietuvos Vietinė (Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle) Pig

Violeta Razmaitė, Rūta Šveistienė, Virginija Jatkauskienė, Remigijus Juška, Raimondas Leikus and Nina Batorek-Lukač

#### Abstract

Lietuvos vietinė pigs were developed in Lithuanian ethnic lands following natural selection and introduction of some imported pigs. Earlier, no purposeful selection was carried out for this old Lithuanian pig breed. Lietuvos vietinė pigs as other local pig breeds are adapted to the specific local environment and could be fed with various locally available feedstuffs. So besides their genetic merit for agrobiodiversity, they represent the basis for sustainable local pork chains. The present chapter aims to present history and current status of Lietuvos vietinė pig breed, its exterior phenotypic characteristics, geographical location, production system and main products from this Lithuanian autochthonous breed of pigs, one of the local pig breeds investigated in the project TREASURE. Moreover, a collection and review of available literature data, available until August 2017, on reproductive and productive traits of Lietuvos vietinė pig breed were carried out. Reproductive and growth performance was estimated in different stages. Lean meat content was measured by ultrasonic equipment Piglog on the side of live pigs at the position of 12 ribs. Measurements of backfat thickness were taken with a ruler on the left side of carcasses at the dorsal line of the mid-back at the last rib and loin area at the 1/2 lumbar vertebra by digital camera EX-Z110 and afterwards were planimetrically measured by means of the "SCAN-STAR K" planimetrical system. Meat quality traits of the longissimus muscle were evaluated by means of pH at 45 min and 24 hours after slaughter.

Keywords: traditional European breed, TREASURE, productive traits, phenotype, Lithuania

#### 1. History and current status of the breed (census)

The Lithuanian indigenous wattle (Lithuanian: Lietuvos vietinė) is a domestic pig native to Lithuania and is one of the oldest pig varieties in Europe. Census of Lietuvos vietinė pig breed is presented in Figure 1. Presently, there are only two registered farms of Lietuvos vietinė pigs with about 43 breeding sows and 11 boars in the latest available status (December 2017).

#### Figure 1.

Census of Lietuvos vietinė pig breed, presenting a number of sows and boars per year, starting with the year of heard book establishment.

black spots on the body, but colour variations include black and white, ginger, black and tricoloured (Figures 2 and 3). They have a friendly temperament. Being insen-

Lietuvos vietinė pigs are conserved at the Centre for Farm Animal Genetic Resources in Coordination with Animal Science Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences where the nucleus herd is maintained. Most of Lietuvos vietinė pigs are concentrated in this nucleus herd which is located in the central part of

pigs and their crossbreeds with other breeds are in the farm located in Algimantai,

tenance of herd stability by preserving biodiversity for future generations.

Thus, Lithuanian Pig Producers Association is responsible for pig breeding.

The activities for conservation of Lithuanian breeds were launched in 1994 when a minimal herd of Lietuvos vietinė pigs was formed at the Animal Science Institute, and thus their complete extinction has been prevented. Due to a small number of owners of Lithuanian local pigs, it is not possible to establish a separate association.

4. Organisations for breeding, monitoring and conservation

Previously in Lithuania some small farms kept pigs outdoor during warm season. The experiments showed that at 14.3–18.7°C air temperature the weight at 60 days of age outdoor-born piglets was 16.9–32.6% higher than that of indoor-born piglets. In individual and group enclosures with shelters, they consumed, respectively, 18.2–8.7% less feed than indoor piglets of Lietuvos vietinė breed. However, the loss of outdoor piglets until weaning, particularly in group enclosures, was by 8.0–8.5% higher than that of indoor piglets [11]. Nowadays, due to the African swine fever in wild boars and high veterinary standards for biosecurity, all domestic pigs in Lithuania should be kept strictly indoors. Consequently, the numbers of small pig farms and the numbers of local pigs have drastically decreased, because Lietuvos vietinė pigs are mainly intended for grazing. Currently, there is only a possibility for indoor rearing in semi-extensive conditions. Thus, Lietuvos vietinė pigs are kept, not for commercial purposes but for breed preservation and restoration and main-

E). Individually recorded representatives of Lietuvos vietinė

N and the longitude of 23<sup>o</sup> 50<sup>0</sup>

N and the

E).

sitive to the sun, these pigs are suitable for grazing.

Lietuvos Vietinė (Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle) Pig DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83768

Raseiniai district (in the latitude of 55<sup>o</sup> 26<sup>0</sup>

longitude of 23<sup>o</sup> 70<sup>0</sup>

157

Figure 3.

Lietuvos vietinė boar.

3. Geographical location and production system

Lithuania, Baisogala, Radviliškis district (in the latitude of 55<sup>o</sup> 64<sup>0</sup>

#### 2. Exterior phenotypic characteristics

The Lietuvos vietinė pig breed morphology information is summarised in Table 1. It is a middle-sized breed with wattles under the neck, and usually large


1 Measured from the back of the head to the starting point of the tail.

#### Table 1.

Summary of morphology information on Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.

Figure 2. Lietuvos vietinė sow with piglets.

Lietuvos Vietinė (Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle) Pig DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83768

Figure 3. Lietuvos vietinė boar.

2. Exterior phenotypic characteristics

Measured from the back of the head to the starting point of the tail.

Summary of morphology information on Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.

Figure 1.

1

Table 1.

Figure 2.

156

Lietuvos vietinė sow with piglets.

heard book establishment.

The Lietuvos vietinė pig breed morphology information is summarised in Table 1. It is a middle-sized breed with wattles under the neck, and usually large

Measurement (average) Adult male Adult female Body weight (kg) 277.8 215.2 Body length<sup>1</sup> (cm) 166.6 156.7 Head length (cm) 32.9 30.3 Tail length (cm) 39.0 35.9 Ear length (cm) 26.3 25.0 Chest girth (cm) 157.9 143.6 Height at withers (cm) 88.6 78.3 Number of teats 13.1 13.1

Census of Lietuvos vietinė pig breed, presenting a number of sows and boars per year, starting with the year of

European Local Pig Breeds - Diversity and Performance. A Study of Project TREASURE

black spots on the body, but colour variations include black and white, ginger, black and tricoloured (Figures 2 and 3). They have a friendly temperament. Being insensitive to the sun, these pigs are suitable for grazing.

#### 3. Geographical location and production system

Lietuvos vietinė pigs are conserved at the Centre for Farm Animal Genetic Resources in Coordination with Animal Science Institute, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences where the nucleus herd is maintained. Most of Lietuvos vietinė pigs are concentrated in this nucleus herd which is located in the central part of Lithuania, Baisogala, Radviliškis district (in the latitude of 55<sup>o</sup> 64<sup>0</sup> N and the longitude of 23<sup>o</sup> 70<sup>0</sup> E). Individually recorded representatives of Lietuvos vietinė pigs and their crossbreeds with other breeds are in the farm located in Algimantai, Raseiniai district (in the latitude of 55<sup>o</sup> 26<sup>0</sup> N and the longitude of 23<sup>o</sup> 50<sup>0</sup> E).

Previously in Lithuania some small farms kept pigs outdoor during warm season. The experiments showed that at 14.3–18.7°C air temperature the weight at 60 days of age outdoor-born piglets was 16.9–32.6% higher than that of indoor-born piglets. In individual and group enclosures with shelters, they consumed, respectively, 18.2–8.7% less feed than indoor piglets of Lietuvos vietinė breed. However, the loss of outdoor piglets until weaning, particularly in group enclosures, was by 8.0–8.5% higher than that of indoor piglets [11]. Nowadays, due to the African swine fever in wild boars and high veterinary standards for biosecurity, all domestic pigs in Lithuania should be kept strictly indoors. Consequently, the numbers of small pig farms and the numbers of local pigs have drastically decreased, because Lietuvos vietinė pigs are mainly intended for grazing. Currently, there is only a possibility for indoor rearing in semi-extensive conditions. Thus, Lietuvos vietinė pigs are kept, not for commercial purposes but for breed preservation and restoration and maintenance of herd stability by preserving biodiversity for future generations.

#### 4. Organisations for breeding, monitoring and conservation

The activities for conservation of Lithuanian breeds were launched in 1994 when a minimal herd of Lietuvos vietinė pigs was formed at the Animal Science Institute, and thus their complete extinction has been prevented. Due to a small number of owners of Lithuanian local pigs, it is not possible to establish a separate association. Thus, Lithuanian Pig Producers Association is responsible for pig breeding.

Researchers of Animal Science Institute of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences prepared the National Programme for the Conservation of Native Farm Animal Genetic Resources adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania in 1996 and 2008. The main purpose of these programmes was a collection, monitoring, investigation and conservation of Lithuanian local breeds in situ and ex situ. To achieve these goals, the National Farm Animal Genetic Resources Coordinating Centre was established at the Animal Science Institute at the end of 2008. Lithuanian Endangered Farm Animal Breeders Association (LEFABA) was established in 2010 (Table 2).


Table 2.

Contact details of breeding organisation for Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.

#### 5. Productive performance

#### 5.1 Reproductive traits

The basic data obtained on reproductive traits in this review are presented in Table 3. Sows of Lietuvos vietinė pig breed have 7.2–9.7 piglets [1–3] of approximately 1.3 kg live body weight [1–4]. Stillborn percentage of piglets is in between 7.4 and 16.1% [1, 3], whereas piglet mortality rate until weaning in the considered studies varied between 14.6 and 31.1% [2, 3]. Duration of lactation is prolonged in comparison to modern intensive systems (to approximately 59 days [1, 3, 4]), which leads to a higher piglet weaning weight (around 14 kg [1, 3, 4]).

#### 5.2 Growth performance

The basic data on growth performance obtained in this review are presented in Tables 4 and 5. Due to big differences between studies with regard to the live weight range covered, we defined the stages for growth performance as lactation

(regardless of how long it was), growing stage (from weaning to approximately 30 kg live body weight), early and middle fattening stages estimated between approximately 30–60 kg and 60–100 kg live body weight, respectively. Sometimes, the source provided only the overall growth rate for the whole fattening stage (defined as overall) or even from birth to slaughter (defined as birth–slaughter, which is often calculated from the data given on live weight and age of pigs). It should also be noted that a big part of the collected studies simulated practical conditions of the production systems used and that only a smaller part of the studies aimed at evaluating the breed potential for growth. In the considered studies, daily gain in lactation period was approximately 230 g/day [7]. The average daily gain was 417 g/day in growing stage; 672, 588 and 644 g/day in early, middle and overall fattening stage [4, 7]; and around 470 g/day from birth to slaughter [4–7], which indicates slower growth rate and lesser intensity of rearing in the

Summary of collected literature data on the average daily feed intake (in kg/day) in the Lietuvos vietinė

Lietuvos vietinė pig breed. In the context of the evaluation of growth

stage [4]).

159

Reference Feeding No. of

1

2

3

1

Table 5.

pig breed.

Table 4.

animals

Lietuvos Vietinė (Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle) Pig DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83768

ADG in a period of lactation regardless of how long it was.

the whole studied period (in that case defined as overall).

Reference Feeding ME content of feed

feeding regime, ME = metabolisable energy, CP = crude protein.

the whole studied period (in that case defined as overall).

(MJ/kg)

ADG lactation<sup>1</sup>

ADG in a growing period estimated from weaning to approximately 30 kg live body weight.

Summary of collected literature data on growth performance in the Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.

ADG growing<sup>2</sup>

— — — — —— — 504

Rest 14 238 381 653 530 567 435 No. = number, ADG = average daily gain in g, Ad Lib = ad libitum feeding regime, Rest = restrictive feeding regime.

> CP content of feed (%)

Rest 12.4 16 14 2.02 2.14 2.1

[4] — — — — —— 2.53 [7] Ad Lib 12.4 16 14 2.04 2.8 2.51

No. = number, ADFI = average daily feed intake in kg/day, Ad Lib = ad libitum feeding regime, Rest = restrictive

ADFI in a period of fattening is reported for early and middle fattening stages estimated between approximately 30–60 kg and 60–100 kg live body weight, respectively. Sometimes, the source provided only the overall growth rate for

No. of animals

ADFI fattening<sup>1</sup> Early Middle Overall

[4] — — — — —— 698 511 [5] — — — — —— — 472

[6] — 25 — — —— — 403 [7] Ad Lib 14 224 452 690 646 667 483

ADG in a period of fattening is reported for early and middle fattening stages estimated between approximately 30–60 kg and 60–100 kg live body weight, respectively. Sometimes, the source provided only the overall growth rate for

ADG fattening<sup>3</sup> ADG birth– slaughter Early Middle Overall

performance, it is also of interest to observe the extreme values, because it can be assumed that the maximum figures exhibit the growth potentials of Lietuvos vietinė pigs in ad libitum conditions of feeding (≈698 g/day in overall fattening


#### Table 3.

Summary of collected literature data on traits of reproduction in the Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.


No. = number, ADG = average daily gain in g, Ad Lib = ad libitum feeding regime, Rest = restrictive feeding regime. 1 ADG in a period of lactation regardless of how long it was.

2 ADG in a growing period estimated from weaning to approximately 30 kg live body weight.

3 ADG in a period of fattening is reported for early and middle fattening stages estimated between approximately 30–60 kg and 60–100 kg live body weight, respectively. Sometimes, the source provided only the overall growth rate for the whole studied period (in that case defined as overall).

#### Table 4.

Researchers of Animal Science Institute of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences prepared the National Programme for the Conservation of Native Farm Animal Genetic Resources adopted by the Ministry of Agriculture of Lithuania in 1996 and 2008. The main purpose of these programmes was a collection, monitoring, investigation and conservation of Lithuanian local breeds in situ and ex situ. To achieve these goals, the National Farm Animal Genetic Resources Coordinating Centre was established at the Animal Science Institute at the end of 2008. Lithuanian Endangered Farm Animal Breeders Association (LEFABA) was established in 2010

European Local Pig Breeds - Diversity and Performance. A Study of Project TREASURE

Name of organisation Address Web address Lithuanian Pig Producers Association Verkių 5, LT-08218 Vilnius, Lithuania http://www.kiaules.lt

> R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis Distr., Lithuania

> R. Žebenkos 12, LT-82317 Baisogala, Radviliškis Distr., Lithuania

https://luga.lt/

https://gic.lsmuni.lt/

The basic data obtained on reproductive traits in this review are presented in Table 3. Sows of Lietuvos vietinė pig breed have 7.2–9.7 piglets [1–3] of approximately 1.3 kg live body weight [1–4]. Stillborn percentage of piglets is in between 7.4 and 16.1% [1, 3], whereas piglet mortality rate until weaning in the considered studies varied between 14.6 and 31.1% [2, 3]. Duration of lactation is prolonged in comparison to modern intensive systems (to approximately 59 days [1, 3, 4]), which leads to a higher piglet weaning weight (around 14 kg [1, 3, 4]).

The basic data on growth performance obtained in this review are presented in

Mortality at weaning (%)

Piglet weaning weight (kg)

Duration of lactation (d)

Tables 4 and 5. Due to big differences between studies with regard to the live weight range covered, we defined the stages for growth performance as lactation

> Stillborn per litter (%)

[1] 9.7 1.31 7.35 — 14.68 56 [2] 8.8 1.21 — 31.1 — — [3] 7.42 1.5 16.1 14.6 13.9 60 [4] — 1.24 — — 13.77 60

Summary of collected literature data on traits of reproduction in the Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.

(Table 2).

Table 2.

5. Productive performance

Lithuanian Endangered Farm Animal

Contact details of breeding organisation for Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.

National Farm Animal Genetic Resources Coordinating Centre

5.1 Reproductive traits

Breeders Association

5.2 Growth performance

Reference Piglets

alive per litter

No. = number, mth = month, d = days.

Table 3.

158

Piglet live weight (kg) Summary of collected literature data on growth performance in the Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.


No. = number, ADFI = average daily feed intake in kg/day, Ad Lib = ad libitum feeding regime, Rest = restrictive feeding regime, ME = metabolisable energy, CP = crude protein.

1 ADFI in a period of fattening is reported for early and middle fattening stages estimated between approximately 30–60 kg and 60–100 kg live body weight, respectively. Sometimes, the source provided only the overall growth rate for the whole studied period (in that case defined as overall).

#### Table 5.

Summary of collected literature data on the average daily feed intake (in kg/day) in the Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.

(regardless of how long it was), growing stage (from weaning to approximately 30 kg live body weight), early and middle fattening stages estimated between approximately 30–60 kg and 60–100 kg live body weight, respectively. Sometimes, the source provided only the overall growth rate for the whole fattening stage (defined as overall) or even from birth to slaughter (defined as birth–slaughter, which is often calculated from the data given on live weight and age of pigs). It should also be noted that a big part of the collected studies simulated practical conditions of the production systems used and that only a smaller part of the studies aimed at evaluating the breed potential for growth. In the considered studies, daily gain in lactation period was approximately 230 g/day [7]. The average daily gain was 417 g/day in growing stage; 672, 588 and 644 g/day in early, middle and overall fattening stage [4, 7]; and around 470 g/day from birth to slaughter [4–7], which indicates slower growth rate and lesser intensity of rearing in the Lietuvos vietinė pig breed. In the context of the evaluation of growth performance, it is also of interest to observe the extreme values, because it can be assumed that the maximum figures exhibit the growth potentials of Lietuvos vietinė pigs in ad libitum conditions of feeding (≈698 g/day in overall fattening stage [4]).

In considered studies, the information on feed intake and feed nutritional value were scarce, which limits the evaluation of growth potential. Average daily feed intake increased from 2.0 kg/day in early to 2.5 kg/day in middle fattening stage [7], whereas in the overall fattening stage, the average daily feed intake was 2.4 kg/day [4, 7].

#### 5.3 Body composition and carcass traits

The basic data obtained in this review with some of the most commonly encountered carcass traits that could be compared are presented in Table 6. In considered studies, pigs of the Lietuvos vietinė breed were slaughtered at approximately 200 days of age [4–6] and between 57 and 108 kg live weight [4–9]. Dressing yield was around 74% [6–9] and lean meat content varied from 42 to 52% [5, 8, 9]. The backfat thickness measured on the withers was approximately 49 mm [6, 9], at the level of the last rib 29 mm [4–7, 9] and above gluteus medius muscle 28 mm [6]. Muscularity measured as loin eye area averaged 29 cm2 [4, 6, 7], and longissimus muscle thickness measured on live animals was approximately 38 mm [5].

was approximately 55, 15 and 7.6 for L\*, a\* and b\*, respectively [7]. The longissimus

No. = number, pH 45 = pH measured approximately 45 minutes post-mortem, pH 24 = pH measured approximately

CIE = objective colour defined by the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage; L\* greater value indicates a lighter

Reference No. of animals pH 45 pH 24 CIE<sup>1</sup> IMF content (%)

— 6.33 5.50 56 14.6 7.8 2.5

[7] — 6.30 5.44 54 14.9 7.3 1.7

[9] 8 — 5.12 ——— 3.5 [10] 13 — — ——— —

colour, a\* greater value indicates a redder colour and b\* greater value indicates a more yellow colour.

L\* a\* b\*

Due to the high fatness of Lietuvos vietinė pigs, implemented SEUROP grading system for carcass evaluation in abattoirs and import of cheap surplus meaty cuts of carcasses, Lietuvos vietinė pigs are not competitive on the market. Thus, their number is not increasing. Most of Lietuvos vietinė pigs are slaughtered and

processed in the conventional pig production chain. Due to veterinarian restrictions related to the African swine fever, people refuse to keep growing pigs up to bacon condition for self-supply, although this was a common practice in the past among the people of the countryside. Most of the Lietuvos vietinė pigs from nucleus herd are used in the common pig production chain, whereas only the small part of pigs is being used for the production of home-made products. The traditional Lithuanian pork products produced are smoked backfat, including salt-cured backfat in the southeastern part of Lithuania, smoked hams and bellies, loins and different fresh and smoked dry sausages. The amount of unused carcass parts from Lietuvos vietinė pigs is small because Lithuanian cuisine knows different dishes not only from lean and fat pork but also from the offal, like meat jelly, blood pudding, liver

The research was conducted within the project TREASURE, which has received

funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 634476. The content of this paper reflects only the author's view, and the European Union Agency is not responsible for any

use that may be made of the information it contains.

(39.6 mg/100 g [7]) than those of lean conventional hybrids (44.24 mg/100 g).

muscle from Lietuvos vietinė pigs has lower contents of cholesterol

Summary of collected literature data on meat quality in the Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.

6. Use of breed and main products

24 hours post-mortem, IMF = intramuscular fat.

Lietuvos Vietinė (Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle) Pig DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83768

1

Table 7.

pate and others.

161

Acknowledgements

#### 5.4 Meat quality

The basic data obtained in this review with some of the most commonly encountered meat quality traits measured in the longissimus muscle that could be found are presented in Table 7. In the studies reporting meat quality of Lietuvos vietinė pigs, pH measured in the longissimus muscle at 45 min and 24 h postmortem were 6.3 [7] and 5.4 [7, 9], respectively. The intramuscular fat content varied from 1.7 to 3.5% [7, 9], and colour measured in CIE L\*, a\* and b\* colour space


No. = number, BW = body weight, CW = carcass weight.

1 M muscle thickness measured by ultrasonic equipment Piglog 105 (7 cm from the midline by ultrasonic equipment Piglog 105 (7 cm from the midline between 10 and 11 ribs (mm) on live pigs).

2 S backfat thickness measured at the thinnest lumbar point according to ZP method (mm).

#### Table 6.

Summary of collected literature data on body composition and carcass traits in the Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.


No. = number, pH 45 = pH measured approximately 45 minutes post-mortem, pH 24 = pH measured approximately 24 hours post-mortem, IMF = intramuscular fat.

1 CIE = objective colour defined by the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage; L\* greater value indicates a lighter colour, a\* greater value indicates a redder colour and b\* greater value indicates a more yellow colour.

#### Table 7.

In considered studies, the information on feed intake and feed nutritional value were scarce, which limits the evaluation of growth potential. Average daily feed intake increased from 2.0 kg/day in early to 2.5 kg/day in middle fattening stage [7], whereas in the overall fattening stage, the average daily feed intake was 2.4 kg/day

European Local Pig Breeds - Diversity and Performance. A Study of Project TREASURE

The basic data obtained in this review with some of the most commonly encountered carcass traits that could be compared are presented in Table 6. In considered studies, pigs of the Lietuvos vietinė breed were slaughtered at approximately 200 days of age [4–6] and between 57 and 108 kg live weight [4–9]. Dressing yield was around 74% [6–9] and lean meat content varied from 42 to 52% [5, 8, 9]. The backfat thickness measured on the withers was approximately 49 mm [6, 9], at the level of the last rib 29 mm [4–7, 9] and above gluteus medius muscle 28 mm [6]. Muscularity measured as loin eye area averaged 29 cm2 [4, 6, 7], and longissimus muscle thickness measured on live animals was approximately 38 mm [5].

The basic data obtained in this review with some of the most commonly encountered meat quality traits measured in the longissimus muscle that could be found are presented in Table 7. In the studies reporting meat quality of Lietuvos vietinė pigs, pH measured in the longissimus muscle at 45 min and 24 h postmortem were 6.3 [7] and 5.4 [7, 9], respectively. The intramuscular fat content varied from 1.7 to 3.5% [7, 9], and colour measured in CIE L\*, a\* and b\* colour space

> Dressing yield (%)

[4] — 194 100 — — ——— 27 — 31 [5] — 199 93 — — 49.5 — — 21 40 —

[6] 22 220 91 62 68.2 — 28 45 27 — 26 [7] 4 — 108 83 76.6 ——— 37 — 29

[8] 8 — 57 41 72.3 51.7 —— —— —

[9] 8 — 101 78 77.3 50.7 — 53 34 — —

M muscle thickness measured by ultrasonic equipment Piglog 105 (7 cm from the midline by ultrasonic equipment

Summary of collected literature data on body composition and carcass traits in the Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.

Lean meat content (%)

— 190 95 — — 44.0 — — 26 37 —

4 — 99 75 75.9 ——— 34 — 29

8 — 69 51 73.0 46.2 —— —— — 8 — 76 56 73.8 47.3 —— —— — 8 — 101 78 77.3 42.2 —— —— —

Backfat thickness (mm)

withers

M1 (mm)

) <sup>S</sup><sup>2</sup> At

At last rib

Loin eye area (cm2

[4, 7].

5.4 Meat quality

Reference No. of

animals

Final age (d)

No. = number, BW = body weight, CW = carcass weight.

Piglog 105 (7 cm from the midline between 10 and 11 ribs (mm) on live pigs).

S backfat thickness measured at the thinnest lumbar point according to ZP method (mm).

1

2

160

Table 6.

Final BW (kg)

Hot CW (kg)

5.3 Body composition and carcass traits

Summary of collected literature data on meat quality in the Lietuvos vietinė pig breed.

was approximately 55, 15 and 7.6 for L\*, a\* and b\*, respectively [7]. The longissimus muscle from Lietuvos vietinė pigs has lower contents of cholesterol (39.6 mg/100 g [7]) than those of lean conventional hybrids (44.24 mg/100 g).

#### 6. Use of breed and main products

Due to the high fatness of Lietuvos vietinė pigs, implemented SEUROP grading system for carcass evaluation in abattoirs and import of cheap surplus meaty cuts of carcasses, Lietuvos vietinė pigs are not competitive on the market. Thus, their number is not increasing. Most of Lietuvos vietinė pigs are slaughtered and processed in the conventional pig production chain. Due to veterinarian restrictions related to the African swine fever, people refuse to keep growing pigs up to bacon condition for self-supply, although this was a common practice in the past among the people of the countryside. Most of the Lietuvos vietinė pigs from nucleus herd are used in the common pig production chain, whereas only the small part of pigs is being used for the production of home-made products. The traditional Lithuanian pork products produced are smoked backfat, including salt-cured backfat in the southeastern part of Lithuania, smoked hams and bellies, loins and different fresh and smoked dry sausages. The amount of unused carcass parts from Lietuvos vietinė pigs is small because Lithuanian cuisine knows different dishes not only from lean and fat pork but also from the offal, like meat jelly, blood pudding, liver pate and others.

#### Acknowledgements

The research was conducted within the project TREASURE, which has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 634476. The content of this paper reflects only the author's view, and the European Union Agency is not responsible for any use that may be made of the information it contains.

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[10] Razmaitė V, Švirmickas GJ, Šiukščius A, Šveistienė R. Comparative characterization of fatty acid profiles in intramuscular lipids from different domestic and wild monogastric animal species. Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics. 2011;35(75):45-50

[11] Juška R. Personal communication,

"Innovative growth systems for farm animals and representation of animal products to consumers" survey "Rural Developmental Programme 2007-2013 for Lithuania." Action—"Vocational Training and Information Actions" activity—"Dissemination of scientific knowledge and innovative practice in relation to agriculture, forestry and processing of agricultural products on

data collected within Project

farm". 2013

Communication, Data Collected within TREASURE Survey WP 1.3. 2017

Distinguishable characteristics and early growth of piglets from Lithuanian indigenous pigs and wild boar intercross and backcross. Acta Veterinaria. 2009;

#### Author details

Violeta Razmaitė<sup>1</sup> \*, Rūta Šveistienė<sup>1</sup> , Virginija Jatkauskienė<sup>1</sup> , Remigijus Juška1 , Raimondas Leikus<sup>1</sup> and Nina Batorek-Lukač<sup>2</sup>

1 Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Animal Science Institute, Baisogala, Lithuania

2 Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia

\*Address all correspondence to: violeta.razmaite@lsmuni.lt

© 2019 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. Distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/ licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits use, distribution and reproduction for non-commercial purposes, provided the original is properly cited. **–NC**

Lietuvos Vietinė (Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle) Pig DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.83768

#### References

[1] Razmaitė V. Reproductive performance of Lithuanian indigenous sows in small closed population. In: Saveli O, Kärt O, Pärna E, Viinalass H, Tänavots A, Klimas R, Grislis Z, editors. Animal Breeding in the Baltics. Tartu, Lithuania: Institute of Animal Science of Estonian Agricultural University; 2004. pp. 140-143

[2] Razmaite V. Personal Communication, Data Collected within TREASURE Survey WP 1.3. 2017

[3] Razmaite V, Kerziene S. Distinguishable characteristics and early growth of piglets from Lithuanian indigenous pigs and wild boar intercross and backcross. Acta Veterinaria. 2009; 59:591-600

[4] Razmaite V. Performance of Lithuanian indigenous wattle pigs in their two and three-way crosses with Durocs. Biologija. 2002;3:13-15

[5] Razmaitė V. Performance traits of Lithuanian pig genetic resources tested in two different environments. Gyvulininkystė. 2014;62:51-61

[6] Razmaite V, Kerziene S, Jatkauskiene V. Body and carcass measurements and organ weights of Lithuanian indigenous pigs and their wild boar hybrids. Animal Science Papers and Reports. 2009;27: 331-342

[7] Razmaite V. Personal Communication, Data Collected within TREASURE Survey WP 2.1. 2017

[8] Šveistys J, Razmaitė V, Juška R, Urbšienė D. Relationship between live weight and carcass traits and meat quality in Lithuanian aboriginal slaughter pigs. Gyvulininkystė. 2000;37: 52-61

[9] Razmaite V, Šveistys J, Juška R, Urbšienė D. Different methods for assessment of lean meat content in carcasses and meat quality of Lithuanian aboriginal pigs and their three-way crosses. Gyvulininkystė. 2001;38:35-46

[10] Razmaitė V, Švirmickas GJ, Šiukščius A, Šveistienė R. Comparative characterization of fatty acid profiles in intramuscular lipids from different domestic and wild monogastric animal species. Veterinary Medicine and Zootechnics. 2011;35(75):45-50

[11] Juška R. Personal communication, data collected within Project "Innovative growth systems for farm animals and representation of animal products to consumers" survey "Rural Developmental Programme 2007-2013 for Lithuania." Action—"Vocational Training and Information Actions" activity—"Dissemination of scientific knowledge and innovative practice in relation to agriculture, forestry and processing of agricultural products on farm". 2013

Author details

Violeta Razmaitė<sup>1</sup>

Lithuania

162

\*, Rūta Šveistienė<sup>1</sup>

2 Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Ljubljana, Slovenia

\*Address all correspondence to: violeta.razmaite@lsmuni.lt

Raimondas Leikus<sup>1</sup> and Nina Batorek-Lukač<sup>2</sup>

, Virginija Jatkauskienė<sup>1</sup>

1 Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Animal Science Institute, Baisogala,

European Local Pig Breeds - Diversity and Performance. A Study of Project TREASURE

© 2019 The Author(s). Licensee IntechOpen. Distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution - NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/

licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits use, distribution and reproduction for non-commercial purposes, provided the original is properly cited. **–NC**

, Remigijus Juška1

,

**165**

**Chapter 12**

**Abstract**

fat content.

phenotype, Lithuania

Lietuvos Baltosios Senojo Tipo

*Violeta Razmaitė, Rūta Šveistienė, Virginija Jatkauskienė,* 

Lietuvos Baltosios senojo tipo pigs are remaining purebred pigs of local Lithuanian pig breed (Lietuvos Baltosios) adapted to the specific local environment and locally available feedstuffs. Although previously Lietuvos Baltosios was the main dam pig breed in Lithuania, regarding scientific substantiation, their performances and products are, as in the case of Lietuvos Baltosios remains (senojo tipo-old type) pigs, practically untapped. Thus, the present chapter aims to present history and current status of Lietuvos Baltosios senojo tipo pig breed, its exterior phenotypic characteristics, geographical location, production system and main products from this Lithuanian breed of pigs, one of the local pig breeds investigated in the project TREASURE. Moreover, a collection and review of available literature data, available until August 2017, on reproductive and productive traits of Lietuvos Baltosios senojo tipo pig breed were carried out. Reproductive and growth performance, and feed intake in different stages was estimated. Lean meat content was measured by ultrasonic equipment Piglog on the side of live pigs at the position of 12 ribs. Measurements of backfat thickness were taken with a ruler on the left side of carcasses at dorsal line of the mid-back at the last rib and loin area at the 1/2 lumbar vertebra by digital camera EX-Z110 and, afterwards, were planimetrically measured by means of the "SCAN-STAR K" planimetrical system. Meat quality traits of the longissimus muscle were evaluated using pH at 45 min and 24 h after slaughter, objective colour (CIE L\*, a\*, b\*) and intramuscular

**Keywords:** traditional European breed, TREASURE, productive traits,

The Lithuanian White old genotype (Lietuvos Baltosios senojo tipo) is a domestic pig native to Lithuania. This breed was developed by the process of improving old Lietuvos vietinės pigs with Large White, Middle White, Edelsweine, Berkshire and local Danish pigs. Until the twenty-first century, Lietuvos Baltosios pig breed was one of the main pig breeds used as dam breed in commercial crossing combinations. Since 2003, all purebred boars in breeding farms were castrated, and this caused a fast decline in pig numbers of original Lietuvos Baltosios breed and conservation of the old genotype of the Lithuanian White pig breed. Census of Lietuvos Baltosios senojo tipo pig breed is presented in **Figure 1**. Presently,

**1. History and the current status of the breed (census)**

*Raimondas Leikus, Remigijus Juška and Nina Batorek-Lukač*

(Lithuanian White) Pig

#### **Chapter 12**
