Production of entire males - Challenges and opportunities

Advantages of producing entire males will be increased pig welfare, higher production efficiency for producers and a better perception by consumers. Production of entire males requires the possibility to detect and find alternative processing routes for boar tainted products and an international acceptance of production systems with intact boars. This paper summarizes the possibilities to reduce tainted pork reaching the consumer by 1) prevention and reduction of boar taint in the live animal, and 2) detection of tainted carcasses and use of tainted products in further processed meats. Significant reduction is possible through genetic selection, feed and farm management. This will, however, not lead to 100% boar taint free products. An international accepted and reliable on-line detection method in meat processing plants is not yet available but under investigation. Production of entire males offers a great future opportunity, but in the mean time castration with minimal pain is a viable option.