Conference paper
The impact of carcase estimated breeding values on yield and quality of sheep meat
International Journal of Sheep and Wool Science, Vol.54(1), pp.50-56
University of New England
Wool meets meat : tools for a modern sheep enterprise : proceedings of the 2006 Australian Sheep Industry CRC Conference (Orange, Australia, 22/02/2006–23/02/2006)
2006
Abstract
The aims of this study were to investigate the impact of carcase estimated breeding values on carcase size and lean meat yield of lambs and to determine whether nutrition alters these responses. Selection for high estimated breeding values for growth increased carcase size by as much as 4 kg in lambs fed a high plane of nutrition. On a low plane of nutrition, this effect was reduced by 60%, highlighting the importance of nutrition for realizing the potential of this trait. Selection for estimated breeding values for muscling reduced total carcase fatness by 3% in lambs fed at a low plane of nutrition and by 10% in lambs fed at a high plane of nutrition, resulting in an increase in lean meat yield and improved economic returns for sales based on a lean-meat-yield grid. Selecting for estimated breeding values for low fat depth reduced total carcase fatness by 4%; this effect was the same whether lambs were maintained on high or low planes of nutrition. Other aspects of meat quality maybe influenced by using sires selected for muscling. Meat tenderness may be reduced due to greater connective tissue content, but it is likely that this can be controlled by concurrent selection for growth. Juiciness and flavour may be reduced due to reduced intramuscular fat content, but this can be attenuated by nutritional practices and, in the longer term, by alleviating the negative selection for fatness. Selection for a combination of muscling and growth estimated breeding values in terminal sires is an excellent way to increase both carcase size and lean meat yield of lambs - and to provide greater returns for producers.
Details
- Title
- The impact of carcase estimated breeding values on yield and quality of sheep meat
- Authors/Creators
- G.E. Gardner (Author/Creator)D.W. Pethick (Author/Creator)D.L. Hopkins (Author/Creator)R.S. Hegarty (Author/Creator)M.A. Cake (Author/Creator)M. Boyce (Author/Creator)P. Allingham (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- International Journal of Sheep and Wool Science, Vol.54(1), pp.50-56
- Conference
- Wool meets meat : tools for a modern sheep enterprise : proceedings of the 2006 Australian Sheep Industry CRC Conference (Orange, Australia, 22/02/2006–23/02/2006)
- Publisher
- University of New England
- Identifiers
- 991005542932907891
- Copyright
- © 2006 The Australian Sheep Industry CRC
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences; Australian Sheep Industry CRC
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference paper
- Publisher URL
- http://sheepjournal.net/index.php/ijsws/article/view/704
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