Abstract

Submitted 2020-07-24 | Accepted 2020-08-31 | Available 2020-12-01 https://doi.org/10.15414/afz.2020.23.mi-fpap.276-281 The objective of the present study was to investigate the effect of genotype and sex on growth and carcass traits of grazing lambs. A total of 32 lambs (16 Improved Jezersko-Solcava - JSR and 16 crossbreds with Texel - JSRT, 8 males and 8 females within each genotype) were included in the study. The lambs were grazed together with their dams from the beginning of the grazing period and had free access to commercial concentrate from the age of 10 days. Lambs were weaned at the average body weight of 22.9 kg. Feeding with a concentrate was finished when lambs achieved 35 kg of body weight and were slaughtered. Daily gains from birth to slaughter and from weaning to slaughter were calculated. Several carcass traits were determined. JSRT lambs had significantly higher daily gain from birth to slaughter, hot and cold carcass weights, and dressing percentages compared to JSR lambs. Carcass conformation was higher in JSRT than JSR carcasses. Also, carcasses of JSRT were shorter and wider than JSR carcasses. Rib eye muscle areas of JSRT lambs were significantly larger, and the colour was significantly lighter. Males had significantly higher average daily gain from birth to slaughter and from weaning to slaughter than females. Females had higher dressing percentages and subcutaneous and internal fatness scores than males. Females had significantly higher amount of kidney fat. The colour of males’ meat was significantly lighter than that of females. Crossbreeding with Texel rams improved growth and carcass traits of lambs, and males had better growth performance and several carcass traits than females. Keywords: lambs, commercial crossbreeding, sex, growth, carcass trait References Blasco, M. et al. (2019). Effect of Texel crossbreeding on productive traits, carcass and meat quality of Segurena lambs. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 99, 3335-3342. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.9549 Cardoso, M. T. M. et al. (2013). Performance and carcass quality in three genetic groups of sheep in Brazil. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 42(10), 734-742. https://doi.org/10.1590/S1516-35982013001000007 Claffey, N. A. et al. (2018). Effect of breed and castration on production and carcass traits of male lambs following an intensive finishing period. Translational Animal Science, 2, 407-418. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txy070 Do Prado Paim, T. et al. (2013). Performance, survivability and carcass traits of crossbred lambs from five paternal breeds with local hair breed Santa Ines ewes. Small Ruminant Research, 112, 28-34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2012.12.024 Facciolongo, A. M. et al. (2018). Effect of diet lipid source (linseed vs. soybean) and gender on performance, meat quality and intramuscular fatty acid composition in fattening lambs. Small Ruminant Research, 159, 11-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2017.11.015 Freitas-de-Melo, A. et al. (2019). Behavioral pattern in Texel x Corriedale terminal crossbreeding: Maternal behavior score at birth, lambs’ feeding behaviors, and behavioral responses of lambs to abrupt weaning. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 30, 9-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2018.10.007 Nunes, I. A. et al. (2019). Performance, carcass characteristics, and centesimal composition of meat from Santa Ines lambs and Texel crossbred lambs (Santa Ines × Texel). Canadian Journal of Animal Science, 99(2), 228-236. https://doi.org/10.1139/cjas-2016-0231 Perez, P. et al. (2007). Gender and slaughter weight effects on carcass quality traits of suckling lambs from four different genotypes. Small Ruminant Research, 70, 124-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2006.01.013 SAS. (2014). SAS/STAT® 13.2 User’s Guide. SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA. Scales, G. H. et al. (2000). Effect of sire breed on growth, carcass, and wool characteristics of lambs born to Merino ewes in New Zealand. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 43(1), 93-100. https://doi.org/10.1080/00288233.2000.9513412

Highlights

  • Commercial crossbreeding in sheep production is widespread worldwide

  • JSRT lambs had higher dressing percentage compared to JSR lambs

  • There were no significant differences in hot and cold carcass weights or dressing percentages, while in the present study, it was found that Texel crossbreds had significantly higher values for all examined traits compared to purebred JSR lambs

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Summary

Introduction

Through the adoption of this reproductive system, breeders want to improve growth and carcass traits of lambs To achieve this goal, ewes of local breeds are crossbreed with rams of terminal breeds, such as Suffolk, Poll Dorset, Dorper, Oxford Down, Ile de France, and Texel. According to the literature, crossbreeding different local breeds with Texel rams apparently improves the growth and carcass traits of lambs, so we assumed that Texel could be used as a terminal breed for commercial crossbreeding with Improved JezerskoSolčava sheep (JSR), a Slovenian sheep breed reared mainly for lamb production. This breed originates from the breeding of the local Slovenian breed Jezersko-Solčava sheep with the Romanov sheep. JSR is a locally adapted breed with relatively high fertility, and it seems to be a good maternal breed choice for commercial crossbreeding with terminal breeds, such as Texel

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