Weight gain, carcass and meat traits of ewes finished on pasture with different levels supplementation

Abstract

This work was carried out in order to evaluate weight gain and carcass and meat traits of culling ewes kept on grass Panicum maximum cultivar Massai, consuming different levels of concentrate. The design was entirely at random and females were distributed into four treatments, zero, 0.7, 1.4 and 2.1% of its body weight in concentrate supplementation consumed. The females were slaughtered at eighty days of the experiment. We measured the weight gain of animals and carcass and meat traits. The data were interpreted after analysis of variance and regression (P < 0.0500). The maximum weight gain was observed with intake of 1.49% concentrate as a function of body weight, point closed to which it was obtained the best feed conversion. However, the cost benefit was better with intake of 0.62% concentrate depending on the body weight. Carcasses did not show changes, and the gain in body weight was obtained in visceral fat. Meat showed lower ultimate pH and lower losses during cooking when the culling ewes consumed more concentrates. All treatments possessed tender meats, however, its color was found in the bottom limit of the normal range of specie.