Journal article
The effect of grazing saltbush with a barley supplement on the carcass and eating quality of sheepmeat
Meat Science, Vol.79(2), pp.344-354
2008
Abstract
The carcass and eating quality of sheep grazing a saltbush dominant saline pasture system or on a ‘control’ dry pasture, stubble plot both supplemented with barley for 14 weeks was investigated (Experiment 1, 50 (2 × 25) 6 month merino lamb wethers and Experiment 2, 50 (2 × 25) 18 month old merino hogget wethers). Treatment had no significant effect on eating quality attributes (P > 0.05). Saltbush grazed sheep in both experiments had a significantly (P < 0.01) lower carcass fat and significantly higher lean (P < 0.01) content than the control grazed sheep. This is a positive finding as fat denudation is a significant cost to processors. The long term consumption of saltbush and barley prior to slaughter did increase muscle fluid content (P < 0.05) but did not result in a decreased carcass weight loss at slaughter due to confounding changes in body composition. Grazing saltbush resulted in increased urine weight (P < 0.001) and decreased urine concentration (P < 0.05) at slaughter indicating an improved hydration status at slaughter. However both experiments demonstrated sub-optimal liveweight gains indicating that saltbush with a barley supplement can still be effectively used as a maintenance ration without compromising carcass and eating quality.
Details
- Title
- The effect of grazing saltbush with a barley supplement on the carcass and eating quality of sheepmeat
- Authors/Creators
- K.L. Pearce (Author/Creator) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationH.C. Norman (Author/Creator) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationM. Wilmot (Author/Creator) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationA. Rintoul (Author/Creator) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationD.W. Pethick (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityD.G. Masters (Author/Creator) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
- Publication Details
- Meat Science, Vol.79(2), pp.344-354
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Identifiers
- 991005541547907891
- Copyright
- 2007 Elsevier Ltd
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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InCites Highlights
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.51 Dairy & Animal Sciences
- 3.51.84 Ruminant Nutrition
- Web Of Science research areas
- Food Science & Technology
- ESI research areas
- Agricultural Sciences