Carcass Yield and Quality

Genetics-Meat breeds

Rapid growth, preferred composition

Genetics-wool breed meat-type

• Suffolk, Hampshire, Shropshire, Texel

• 130-160lb

Genetics-Hair breed, meat-type

• Dorper, Katahdin

• 80-110lbs

Genetics-Sex differences (intact males)

Heavier, leaner physiologically less mature, leanest

Genetics-Sex differences-Females

Reach maturity ealrier than males, fatter, higher quality grades (fattest)

Genetics-Sex differences-Castrated males

Intermediate, not an extreme spread from ewes

EBVs

Estimate genetic potential animal for some traits

EBV examples 

• Weaning weight

• Maternal weaning weight

• Post-weaning eye muscle depth

• Fat depth

• Carcass plus

Heritability

Measures relative importance of genetics and environment

What is not equally heritable/affected by genetics?

Traits

Reoductive traits

Low heritability (5-20%)

Growth traits

Low to Moderate (10-40%)

Carcass traits

High (30-45%)

Options of finishing lambs

• High-quality forage finishing-no supplemental grain

• Backgrounded on pasture and moved to grain finishing

• Pelleted feeds that are combo of grain and forage

High-forage finish

More intense flavor profile, “gamey” flavor

What do high grain diets lead to?

• Softer fat and rancidity

• Off flavors

• Risk acidosis

  • 10% forage in diet needed to prevent