Validation and Implementation of a Rapid Detection Test for Boar Taint in a Commercial Slaughter Plant

Lead Applicant: James Squires

Research Priority: Innovative Products & Product Improvement

Program Type: Tier 1

Funding Cycle: 2026/2027

Research Centre: N/A

Research Summary: Boar taint is a meat quality issue caused by the accumulation of androstenone and skatole in the fat of intact male pigs (boars), producing off-odours/flavours in cooked pork. While castration is commonly used to prevent boar taint, it raises animal welfare concerns and reduces production efficiency. Boar taint also occurs in ridglings (males with undescended testes), whose carcasses are typically discarded, causing financial losses for producers and processors. This project will optimize a test to detect boar taint at slaughter-- developed by Dr. DeRosa and team at Carlton University--for commercial use, validate its accuracy, and provide training for assessing boar taint in ridglings at Conestoga Meats. By accurately identifying taint-free carcasses, the test will reduce unnecessary ridgling discard, improve pork quality and support future use of boars for pork production once strategies to control boar taint without castration are available.