Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adding slow-release urea to replace conventional urea in the diet on carcass characteristics of feedlot sheep. We used 20 Santa Ines x SRD rams, with average body weight of 21.1±1.2 kg and average age of 120 days, distributed in a completely randomized design with 5 treatments. The replacement levels used as treatments were 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80%, composing diets of about 12% crude protein, with 50 % Tifton-85 hay and 50% concentrate. There was no influence of slow release urea on weight at slaughter (35.17 kg), and on hot (16.75 kg) and cold (16.24 kg) carcass weight, but the yield of these carcasses showed quadratic trend, revealing lower percentages at 48.5 and 47.63% replacement levels, respectively. The weights and yields of cuts did not change, except for the posterior arm, whose values showed a cubic trend. Objective measures of carcass, loin eye area, and subjective evaluations of conformation, finishing and marbling of carcasses were not affected. The subcutaneous fat thickness decreased linearly (4.25 to 2.48 mm). The inclusion of slow release urea in the diet changes the yield and reduces subcutaneous fat, however, it does not influence other carcass characteristics.
Highlights
Sheep farming is a growing activity in Brazil, growth spurred by demand and price of sheep meat
Body weight at slaughter is near the maximum weight range (15-35 kg) proposed by Santos et al (2001) as appropriate to meet the requirements of the consumer market, reporting that heavier animals tend to have heterogeneous growth of adipose tissue
Fasting losses are determined by the difference between the average final body weight and at slaughter, and are related to the emptying of the gastrointestinal tract, which varies depending on the rate of passage of food, and the body size of the animal
Summary
Sheep farming is a growing activity in Brazil, growth spurred by demand and price of sheep meat. Brazil has a herd of 17.3 million head, mostly located in the Northeast, 9.85 million head, equivalent to 56.72% of the national herd (IBGE, 2010). Bahia is the northeastern state largest breeder of sheep, 3.12 million head, representing 25.58% of the Northeastern herd (IBGE, 2010). Animal Sciences production, sheep farming in Bahia is largely affected by climatic factors, especially rainfall and rainfall distribution throughout the year, resulting in low availability and quality of pastures. According to Cartaxo et al (2008), the confinement of these animals can be an effective and feasible alternative for the production of quality sheep meat because it Maringá, v. According to Cartaxo et al (2008), the confinement of these animals can be an effective and feasible alternative for the production of quality sheep meat because it Maringá, v. 36, n. 3, p. 303-310, July-Sept., 2014 results in regular supply, besides the standardization of carcasses
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