Early immunocastration to prevent ’taint’ in boar meat

Researchers with participation of Göttingen University first to investigate effect on meat of early immunocastration. Researchers from the Thünen Institute of Organic Farming and the University of Göttingen are the first to investigate very early immunocastration in male piglets to prevent -boar taint-, which affects the taste of meat from non-castrated animals. Being an alternative to surgical castration, immunocastration induces an immune response against certain hormones thereby delaying sexual maturity. The project team collected extensive data on the effects on fattening performance, meat and fat quality, as well as on the behaviour and well-being of the animals. The results of the study have been published in the journal Animals. week of life, or following the conventional timing, ie during the period of fattening in the 12^th and 19^th week of life. The development of boar taint was reliably inhibited in over 90 percent of the test animals.