Our results demonstrate that organically produced pigs
fed ad libitum concentrate without silage produce carcasses
and meat of a high quality similar to pigs fed non organically.
However, restricted feeding of organic cereals (70%)
plus silage ad libitum resulted in tougher meat with too little
vitamin E, although the carcasses were of higher quality
with a lower fat content. The higher intake of polyunsaturated
fatty acids in the organically fed pigs – both from
organic concentrate and silage – was reflected in the meat
and fat of the carcass. This may lead to rancidity and a
WOF problem during storage and processing of the meat.
This observation suggests that other methods of environmental
enrichment and feeding systems are required to
maintain meat quality under organic production systems.