Quantitative traits of carcasses from different ovine categories

Abstract

Aiming to evaluate carcass quantitative traits of ovine, thirty-six ½ Ile de France ½ Polwarth animals (12 uncastrated lambs, 12 discarded ewes and 12 discarded wether) were used. Animals were in grazing system based on Tifton – 85 pastures and were supplemented with concentrate. Lambs were weaned with 17 kg and slaughtered at 32 kg of live weight, at around 5 months of age. Ewes and wethers were slaughtered with 55 kg and 60 months of age. Ovine categories did not affect dressing percentages of heat (48,11%) or cold (46,48%) carcass, but chilling losses were higher in carcasses from young (3,67%) than adult animals (2,35%). The carcass cuts (leg, ribs and shoulder) did not differ among animal categories, but neck percentages were higher in wethers (9,29%) and loin percentages were higher in lambs (14,56%). Mensurations on Longissimus lumborum muscle were different among all animal categories, except for maximum length of muscle (5,45 cm). In conclusion, animal categories presented similar dressing percentages, as curs of leg, shoulder and ribs.