Page 11 - SAPPO Boardpack l 13 May 2020

representatives and researchers went to Europe to study the latest
developments in carcass classification and investigated the following:
i) Whether the PORCUS system is still relevant or whether better
systems have been developed.
ii) Whether the Hennessy grading probe is still adequate or whether
new probes should be introduced. What about the Intrascope?
iii) How to modify the PORCUS system to be on par with the European
SEUROP system.

The letters PORCUS and SEUROP are analogous although the intervals of
lean percentage differ. The predicted lean yield became outdated due
to the change in genetics and carcass weights. It was therefore
necessary to revise the prediction formulae.

In the past the head of the carcass was omitted from the weight of the
carcass, thus the lower weights and consequent higher lean
percentages. The intervals of the SEUROP classes are 5 percentage units
wide compared to the 2 % of the PORCUS system.

The carcass lean yield can be predicted from measurements taken with
measuring devices such as the Hennessy grading probe, Intrascope or
caliper. The main difference between the old and new system is that the
intervals between classes are increased from 2 to 5% to accommodate
the variability within the class as required in the EU. This means that the
new P class will be the same as the old P, O and R combined. The new O
class will be similar to the old C and U, while the new U will be the same
as the old S class. There were no experimental pigs in the new C, U and S
classes since they are really fat.

The Board accepted the results in principle but referred them back to the
Research Committee to determine how the new proposed classification
will compare to the old system. A dummy-run on historic data should be
done.

The complete report as submitted to the Research Committee must be
circulated to the Board.

The process that was followed is approved and the calculation was done
on a scientific basis. The difference between the two systems must be
shown. It is merely a classification and not a payment system.

Decision:
The Board was comfortable with the reporting and agreed to consider the
SEUROP system in principle. The complete report as submitted to the
Research Committee must be circulated to the Board. The Research

11