Effect of Breed Types and Castration on Carcass Characteristics of Boer and Large Frame Indigenous Veld Goats of Southern Africa.

Gertruida L Van Wyk,Louwrens C Hoffman,Lorinda Frylinck,Phillip E Strydom

doi:10.3390/ani10101884

Abstract

Weaner male Boer Goats (BG; n = 36; 21 bucks and 15 wethers) and large frame Indigenous Veld Goats (IVG; n = 41; 21 bucks and 20 wethers) were raised on hay and natural grass ad libitum and the recommended amount of commercial pelleted diet to a live weight between 30 and 35 kg. Carcass quality characteristics (live weight, carcass weights, dressing %, chilling loss and eye muscle area) were measured. The right sides of the carcasses were divided into wholesale cuts and dissected into subcutaneous fat, meat and bone. Large frame Indigenous Veld Goat (IVG) wethers were slightly lighter than the IVG bucks with no significant difference observed between BG. Wethers compared to bucks had higher dressing %, subcutaneous fat % in all primal cuts, intramuscular fat %, kidney fat % and, overall, slightly less bone %. Some breed-wether interactions were noticed: IVG wethers were slightly lighter than the IVG bucks, but the IVG bucks tended to produce higher % meat compared to other test groups. Judged on the intramuscular fat % characteristics, it seems as if wethers should produce juicier and more flavorsome meat compared to bucks.

Highlights

Goats farmed for meat production constitute the major part of the world goat population.In developed parts of the world, goats are frequently considered as specialty or exotic livestock, whereas in the developing countries, especially those in Southeast Asia and Africa, goats constitute the major source of meat production [1]
Researchers recognized the potential of the Boer Goat (BG) as a meat-producing animal [2,3], and today it is considered to be one of the most desirable goat breeds for meat production
This researchand was approved by the Agricultural Research Council—Animal Production (ARC-AP)

Summary

Introduction

In developed parts of the world, goats are frequently considered as specialty or exotic livestock, whereas in the developing countries, especially those in Southeast Asia and Africa, goats constitute the major source of meat production [1]. Researchers recognized the potential of the Boer Goat (BG) as a meat-producing animal [2,3], and today it is considered to be one of the most desirable goat breeds for meat production. It has gained worldwide recognition for excellent body conformation, fast growth rate and good carcass quality. Its popularity as a meat goat breed soared during the last decade due to its availability in Australia, New Zealand and later in North America and other parts of the world [4]

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