Carcass Measurements Research Articles

Glicerina bruta na dieta de ovinos confinados: consumo, digestibilidade, desempenho, medidas morfométricas da carcaça e características da carne

The aim was to evaluate the effects of crude glycerin levels (CG) (0, 2.65, 5.33, 8.06 and 10.84% in dry matter basis) on intake, digestibility, performance, carcass morphometric measurements and meat quality of sheep finished in feedlot. Twenty five crossbred Dorper x St. Ines wethers, with 24 ± 2.0 kg average weight were housed in individual pens. The experimental design was completely randomized. Levels of CG in gross diet caused a decreasing linear effect (P<0.05) on dry matter , crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and non-fiber carbohydrates intake. Glycerin levels in the diet showed decreasing linear effect (P<0.05) on dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and non-fibrous carbohydrates intake. Opposite result was observed for lipids intake. Digestibility coefficients of dry matter and nonfibrous carbohydrates decreased linearly (P<0.05) with glycerin levels, while the opposite was observed to ether extract digestibility coefficient (P<0.05). There were no effect (P> 0.05) levels of glycerin on animal performance. For morphometric measurements of carcass and meat characteristics, no significant difference (P>0.05) levels of glycerin for hot carcass weight, chilled carcass weight, hot carcass yield, Chilled carcass yields, loss cooling, state of greasing, carcass length, leg length, depth of leg, chest depth, loin eye area, texture, marbling and color. However, the influence was observed (P<0.05) of increasing levels of crude glycerin on carcass conformation and carcass fat thickness. The use of crude glycerin reduced nutrient intake of the animals, however, did not influence the performance and carcass characteristics and is indicated its use in the diet of sheep.

Carcass Yield and Quality of Pork from Pigs Fed Graded Levels of Fig (<i>Ficus sur</i>) Fruits Mixed with Maize Grain

Twenty growing Yorkshire piglets of 27.8±1.4kg (mean ± SD) average initial weight were used to investigate the effect of feeding different proportions of ground Ficus sur fruits (FSF) mixed with ground maize grain (MG) on carcass yield and quality attributes. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments and five replications per treatment. The treatment diets were: 100% FSF and 0%MG represented as (100FSF), 67% FSF and 33% MG (67FSF), 33% FSF and 67% MG (33FSF) and 0% FSF and 100% MG (0FSF). For all treatments protein supplement (NSC+SBM) was given to provide about 18% CP to make the ration isonitrogenous. Except for the slaughter weight, which significantly (P<0.05) increased with increase in MG level in the diets, all other carcass measurements and primal cuts did not differ (P>0.05) among the treatments. However, lungs (P=0.012) and gastro intestinal tract (GIT) (P=0.001) among the viscera organs were varied. None of the quality attributes of the pork significantly differed (P>0.05) in color, taste, flavor, juiciness, tenderness and texture among the treatments. This indicates that similar quality pork can be produced by feeding FSF as those fed with MG. It is, therefore, concluded that substitution of MG with FSFs in the diets of pigs can result in comparable carcass yield and quality attributes.

Effect of breed (hair and wool), weight and sex on carcass quality of light lambs under intensive management

Eighty carcasses of Canaria Hair breed (CHB) and Canaria breed (CB) were evaluated; 10 carcasses by sex, breed and slaughter weight (15.8 ± 0.66 kg and 24.9 ± 0.76 kg live weight, respectively). Breed effect was observed in measurements, fatness, commercial category and tissue composition of the carcass. CHB presented carcasses with more leg length and rump perimeter (but only in 25 kg lambs), heaviest shoulder and more muscle percentage. CB showed carcasses more fatness (8.18 ± 1.66 vs. 6.63 ± 1.46) and with more fat depth (3.90 ± 1.35 vs. 2.86 ± 1.15). CB increases its fatness faster because 16 kg lambs of CB showed similar values that 25 kg lambs of CHB (7.45 vs. 7.26, respectively). All carcass measurements, conformation, compactness indices and carcass fatness were affected by weight; 25 kg lambs showed higher values. Weight effect was also found in the tissue composition; 25 kg lambs showed more intermuscular fat (IF) percentage and less bone percentage. Sex effect was observed in first category joints, in total fat and IF; females showed higher percentages than males. In relation to carcass quality, we conclude that CB could be more commercially attractive in light carcasses because this breed increases its fatness faster and CHB more commercially attractive in heavy lambs.

Effect of Replacement of Soybean Meal with Leucaena leucocephala Leaf Meal on Performance, Haematology, Carcass Measures and Organ Weight in Broiler Chickens

Effect of Replacement of Soybean Meal with Leucaena leucocephala Leaf Meal on Performance, Haematology, Carcass Measures and Organ Weight in Broiler Chickens

Effect of Feeding Regimes on Measurements of Carcass Dimensional and Proximate Composition of Blackhead Ogaden Sheep

A study was conducted with the objective to assess the effects of feeding regimes on carcass measurements and proximate composition of finishing Blackhead Ogaden (BHO) sheep. Twenty-four lambs with mean initial body weight of 17.3 ± 0.52 kg were blocked in...

Effect of slaughter age on foal carcass traits and meat quality

Meat has played a crucial role in human evolution and is an important component of a healthy and well-balanced diet due to its nutritional richness. Recent studies have shown that horsemeat may be considered as an alternative to other meat (such as beef or pork), and it may have a positive effect on human health from a nutritional point of view. This research was conducted to characterize the carcass measurement, meat quality (chemical composition, colour characteristics and textural traits) and nutritional value (fatty acid and amino acid composition) of foals slaughtered at 8 and 11 months of age (8 and 11 m groups). For this study, a total of 21 foals (10 and 11 animals from the 8 and 11-m groups, respectively) were used. The results obtained showed a positive influence on carcass characteristics with an increase in slaughter age, because 11 m animals had slightly higher values of live (275 v. 247 kg) and carcass weights (148 v. 133 kg), length of leg (72.86 v. 69.85 cm) and carcass (100.41 v. 96.30 cm) and perimeter of leg (97.68 v. 89.22 cm) compared with animals from the 8-m group. Regarding meat quality, only Fe-haeme and cholesterol content in chemical composition and luminosity (L*) in colour parameters showed significant differences. Foals from the 8-m group had the highest content of cholesterol (0.47 v. 0.28 mg/100 g of meat) and luminosity values (39.66 v. 37.88) and the lowest content of ash (1.20% v. 1.40%). In fatty acids content, only five out of 23 fatty acids showed differences between the two groups. However, an interesting change in the fatty acid profile occurred with an increase in the slaughter age. Foals from the 8-m group had the highest values of α-linolenic acid and n-3 fatty acids and the lowest values of linoleic and n-6 fatty acids, which is an interesting fact from a health point of view. Finally, slaughter age had no statistical influence on textural properties or amino acid content. As a main conclusion, animals slaughtered at 8 months of age had higher nutritional quality meat (with higher content of n-3 fatty acids) than meat from foals slaughtered at 11 months of age. The slaughter of animals at 8 months of age also reduced production costs because they ate a smaller amount of commercial fodder.

Carcass measurements, non-carcass components and cut production of local Brazilian Pantaneiro sheep and crossbreeds of Texel and Santa Inês with Pantaneiro

This study aimed to assess and compare the non-carcass components, carcass measurements and meat cut production of Pantaneiro (P) sheep and their Texel (TP) and Santa Inês (SIP) crossbreds. Ninety-six lambs, of which 51 were male and 45 were female, with a mean weaning weight of 15.21±1.25kg and age of 78±13 days were slaughtered at 32kg of body weight. TP lambs had greater leg compactness and weight and percentage of pelt, whereas genotypes (G) P and SIP had higher carcass depth. P and SIP females had weights omental fat percentages that were superior to the other animals, whereas SIP females had higher mesenteric fat. TP males had higher production of white viscera. There was no effect of sex, G or interaction for production and percentage of all meat cuts. Pantaneiro lambs and their crosses with meat breeds could be useful in meat production systems under Savannah environmental conditions.

Evaluation of ultrasound scanning to predict carcass composition of Austrian meat sheep

Aims of the study were to evaluate the routine ultrasound scanning plus subjective muscle scoring system for meat sheep in Austria in terms of (1) their ability to predict carcass quality and composition, (2) the repeatability of ultrasound scanning and (3) a comparison of three anatomical scanning sites. Lambs of six breeds (n=189; mean bodyweight 39kg) were scored for the muscling of their shoulder, back and hindquarter and were scanned with an ultrasound device for back fat and longissimus dorsi muscle depth lateral of the spine at 10th/11th (US1) and 13th (US2) thoracic vertebrae as well as at 3rd/4th (US3) lumbar vertebrae. Each ultrasound picture was taken twice within a few minutes to check on within operator repeatability. After slaughter the carcasses were classified according to the EUROP system and back fat and muscle depth were measured on a carcass cross section, and 36 carcasses were dissected to lean meat, fat and bone to evaluate carcass composition. Relationships between carcass and dissection traits and routine performance testing traits (live weight, fat and muscle depth at US3) were evaluated based on partial regression coefficients additionally considering breed, sex (carcass traits only) and birth type as fixed effects. Further, fat and muscle depth at scan sites US1 and US2 were fitted alternatively and Pearson's correlation coefficients were calculated. Correlations between ultrasonic and carcass measures ranged from r=0.60 (muscle depth at US1 and EUROP conformation class) to r=0.84 (muscle depth at US1 and muscle depth at carcass). Repeatabilities for muscle and backfat thickness ranged from 0.90 to 0.95. The results support the usefulness of the currently routine ultrasound scans as relatively easy method to predict carcass composition in live lambs of different breeds. Muscle scans are valuable to estimate amount of carcass lean and EUROP conformation class, but fat scans have greater power to predict the fattiness of the carcass as well as lean percentage. Subjective muscle scoring of live animals seems to be mainly influenced by the fattiness of the animal. The comparison of three anatomical scanning sites did not give definite results. US1 seems to be favourable for estimating muscle depth, for the prediction of lean and in terms of repeatability whereas US2 and US3 had small advantages in scanning fat depth and in the prediction of EUROP classification and carcass fat.

Effect of Vasectomy and / or Adding Cuminum cyminum Seeds in the diet of Awassi Ram Lambs on their Carcasses Traits

This experiment was carried out at Animal Farm, College of Veterinary Medicine, Baghdad University, from Mar. up to Sept. 2010. Twenty eight Awassi ram lambs of 4-5 months old were equally divided into four groups of similar body weight and fed 2% of concentrate diet of body weight with grazing for 3-4 hours a day. The first group (C) and the third group (V) were fed concentrate diet free of cumin seeds; while the second group (CU) and the fourth group (CV) were fed the same amount of concentrate diet contain 3% of cumin seeds. All animals were grazed daily for 3-4 hours as one group. The third and the fourth groups were vasectomized by close vasectomy operation at the beginning of the experiment. The results revealed that cumin seeds used as feed additives for Awassi ram lambs caused significant (P<0.05) increase in live animal body weight, fasting and empty body weight, hot and cold carcass weights also it had an effect on carcass measurements, empty digestive and stomach weight, most carcass joints weight, rib eye muscle area, Longismus dorsi weight, lean and fat weight in the rack joint compare with the control group. However vasectomy had significant (P<0.05) increase in the body weight, fasting, empty and hot and cold carcass weight, the weight of pelt, full and empty digestive system, most of joint weights, fat tail, fat weight of the rack joint, while the 4th group showed higher values than the most carcass traits compared with the 2nd and 3rd groups and significantly (P<0.05) higher than the control group (1st group). It is concluded that vasectomy and cumin seeds have positive effect on lamb performance and carcass traits. Cumin seeds can be used as effective and cheep feed additives. Further studied are required to prove the suitable ratio of cumin seeds addition alongside with castration in other farm animals.

Comparison of real-time ultrasound measurements for body composition traits to carcass and camera data in feedlot steers

The objective of this experiment was to compare measurements of real-time ultrasound (RTU), carcass and camera data used to determine body composition in feedlot steers (n = 69). Measurements of RTU were taken 24 h before slaughter. The RTU-measured traits consisted of twelfth and thirteenth rib back fat thickness, twelfth and thirteenth LM area, and marbling score (uMARB). Intramuscular fat was converted to uMARB by the equation uMARB = {[769.7 + (56.69 × uIMF)]/100} − 5. Overall means for 48-h chill carcass data were twelfth and thirteenth rib back fat thickness, twelfth and thirteenth LM area, and marbling score (cMARB). Marbling scores were converted to a numeric cMARB (Slight00 = 4, Small00 = 5, and Modest00 = 6). Carcass camera data consisted of twelfth and thirteenth rib back fat thickness, twelfth and thirteenth LM area, and marbling score. Data were analyzed using the PROC REG, MEANS, and CORR procedures of SAS. Results show that all 3 methods were highly correlated to each other. Correlations ranged from 0.79 to 0.82, 0.68 to 0.95, and 0.57 to 0.87 for back fat, LM area, and marbling score, respectively. Carcass back fat and twelfth and thirteenth rib back fat thickness were over-predicted by RTU (0.06 and 0.07 cm, respectively); however, LM area was under-predicted by RTU when compared with carcass and camera twelfth and thirteenth LM area (−0.78 and −1.13 cm2, respectively). Camera marbling score was over-predicted by uMARB (0.17) and cMARB was under-predicted (−0.32). These results indicate that RTU can be used to predict carcass traits before slaughter. Also, linear measurements of carcass traits can be more accurately predicted when compared with a nonlinear measurement.

Valine, isoleucine, arginine and glycine supplementation of low-protein diets for broiler chickens during the starter and grower phases

1. Two experiments were performed to study the supplementation of valine, isoleucine, arginine and glycine (Val, Ile, Arg, Gly) in low-protein diets for broiler chickens in the starter (1–21 d; Exp. 1) and grower (22–42 d; Exp. 2) phases.2. A low-crude protein (CP) diet was formulated to meet the requirements of all amino acids (AA) supplied by the control diet except for Val, Ile, Arg and Gly. The other experimental diets were obtained by the isolated or combined supplementation of the studied AA in the low-CP diet.3. Growth, serum parameters and litter characteristics were taken in both of the experiments. Carcass measurements were taken in Experiment 2.4. In the starter and grower phases, low-CP diets without supplementation resulted in birds with a poorer weight gain and feed conversion than those of the birds that received the control diet.5. In the starter phase, individual supplementation with Val and Gly, but not Ile and Arg, restored the weight gain of the birds, while diets with the addition of Val + Gly, Val + Ile + Arg, Val + Ile + Gly and Val + Ile + Arg + Gly restored their feed conversion.6. In the grower phase, weight gain was re-established at the same rate as the control diet for the diets supplemented with Val + Ile, Val + Ile + Arg, Val + Ile + Gly and Val + Ile + Arg + Gly. However, the feed conversion was restored only in birds that received the diet supplemented with all studied AA.7. The supplementation of Val and Gly in low-CP diets was sufficient to avoid adverse effects in the performance and serum parameters of broilers in the starter phase. However, birds in the grower phase required the combined supplementation of Val, Ile, Arg and Gly, to prevent compromised performance.

Genetic and phenotypic correlations between performance traits with meat quality and carcass characteristics in commercial crossbred pigs.

Genetic correlations between performance traits with meat quality and carcass traits were estimated on 6,408 commercial crossbred pigs with performance traits recorded in production systems with 2,100 of them having meat quality and carcass measurements. Significant fixed effects (company, sex and batch), covariates (birth weight, cold carcass weight, and age), random effects (additive, litter and maternal) were fitted in the statistical models. A series of pairwise bivariate analyses were implemented in ASREML to estimate heritability, phenotypic, and genetic correlations between performance traits (n = 9) with meat quality (n = 25) and carcass (n = 19) traits. The animals had a pedigree compromised of 9,439 animals over 15 generations. Performance traits had low-to-moderate heritabilities (±SE), ranged from 0.07±0.13 to 0.45±0.07 for weaning weight, and ultrasound backfat depth, respectively. Genetic correlations between performance and carcass traits were moderate to high. The results indicate that: (a) selection for birth weight may increase drip loss, lightness of longissimus dorsi, and gluteus medius muscles but may reduce fat depth; (b) selection for nursery weight can be valuable for increasing both quantity and quality traits; (c) selection for increased daily gain may increase the carcass weight and most of the primal cuts. These findings suggest that deterioration of pork quality may have occurred over many generations through the selection for less backfat thickness, and feed efficiency, but selection for growth had no adverse effects on pork quality. Low-to-moderate heritabilities for performance traits indicate that they could be improved using traditional selection or genomic selection. The estimated genetic parameters for performance, carcass and meat quality traits may be incorporated into the breeding programs that emphasize product quality in these Canadian swine populations.

Genetically Modified Feeds in Poultry Diet: Safety, Performance, and Product Quality

Concerns have been expressed regarding the safety of using biotechnology derived feeds in diets of livestock animals and in regard to human consumption of products from species fed transgenic crops. As a consequence, a large number of poultry nutrition studies have been conducted to evaluate the wholesomeness of transgenic crops by examining performances of animals during growth or egg laying. Studies also evaluated whether foreign DNA and proteins could be detected in meat, egg, and tissue samples from broiler chickens and laying hens fed diets containing transgenic feeds. In all studies, the conclusions were in agreement that the transgenic crops provided comparable performance, carcass and egg yields, and meat and egg composition, when compared with conventional grains. Moreover, it was demonstrated that transgenic proteins and DNA present in livestock feeds are not detectable in food products derived from these animals, using the most sensitive detection methods available, confirming that they are rapidly degraded by normal digestive processes. The lack of significant differences were a result of the similarity in nutrient composition of the genetically modified feeds and lack of differences in intake and digestibility, while there were no evidences that the differences reported for performance response variables and carcass measurements between treatment groups were attributable to the presence of the transgenic gene and protein in the biotechnology derived plants. Results demonstrated that genetically modified feeds are substantially equivalent and they result as safe as existing conventional feeds.

Increasing the digestible energy intake under a restriction strategy improves the feed conversion ratio of the growing rabbit without negatively impacting the health status

Post-weaning feed restriction strategies have proved to reduce mortality and morbidity, but result in decreased growth and lower slaughter yield. To compensate for those deleterious effects without negatively impacting the health parameters, we have studied the possibility of increasing the dietary energy level of the feed. Four treatments differing in dietary digestible energy content (“low” energy content, LE=9.08MJ/kg vs “high” energy content, HE=10.13MJ/kg), and feeding level (ad libitum or restricted at 75%) were formed in a 2×2 factorial arrangement. Animals were fed the experimental diets from weaning (32–36 days of age) to slaughter age (70–74 days of age), and feed restriction was applied from weaning to 63–64 days of age. Digestive efficiency was assessed during feed restriction and after one week of ad libitum feeding in 48 animals housed in individual cages. A performance experiment was carried out in four different sites involving a total of 1888 animals housed in collective cages, including carcass and meat quality measurements in 400 animals. Feed restriction and the HE diet improved the faecal digestibility of organic matter (+0.04 and +0.06 respectively; P<0.001), crude protein (+0.05 and +0.05; P<0.001) and NDF (+0.06 and +0.07; P<0.001). When returning to an ad libitum feeding, no effect of the previous feeding level was observed while the effect of the diet was similar to that observed during feed restriction. Restricted feeding reduced the growth by 7% during the whole fattening period (P<0.001), and the slaughter yield by 1.1% (P<0.001). It improved the feed conversion ratio by 9% (P<0.001), while the HE diet improved it by 11% (P<0.001). A 25% reduction in feed intake reduced the health risk index (HRi) in both good and poor health conditions (2.7% vs 7.1%, P<0.01 and 36.2% vs 44.3%, P<0.05 respectively). The use of a high energy diet increased the morbidity (4.6% vs 2.5%, P<0.05) in good health conditions and had the opposite effect in poor health conditions (17.5% vs 22.4%). Calculations of the gross margin confirmed the economic advantage of feed restriction in growing rabbits (+0.06€/kg), while the use of a restricted fed high energy diet was profitable only when mortality and morbidity was low.

Effect of frame size and time-on-pasture on steer performance, longissimus muscle fatty acid composition, and tenderness in a forage-finishing system.

Angus-cross steers (n = 96; BW = 309 ± 34 kg; 13.5 mo of age) were used to determine the effects of frame size (medium or small) and time-on-pasture (TOP) on meat composition and palatability in a 2-yr study. Finishing steers grazed mixed pastures (bluegrass/white clover; April start) and were slaughtered after 89-, 146-, and 201-d TOP. At 24 h postmortem, carcass traits were collected and a rib from each carcass was obtained for proximate and fatty acid composition, Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), and postmortem proteolysis. In yr 1, postmortem aging treatments included 14 and 28 d, whereas in yr 2, postmortem aging treatments included 2, 4, 7, 14, and 28 d. Increasing frame size of the finishing steers produced greater (P < 0.05) ADG by 0.10 kg, BW by 24 kg, HCW by 14 kg, and ribeye size by 2.65 cm(2). All other carcass, meat composition, and tenderness measures did not differ (P > 0.05) due to frame size or 2-way interaction with TOP. Increasing TOP resulted in quadratic increases (P < 0.01) in BW and HCW. Ribeye area, fat thickness, KPH, marbling scores, quality grades, and yield grades increased (P < 0.001) linearly as TOP increased. Time-on-pasture linearly increased (P = 0.001) palmitic (C16:0) acid, oleic (C18:1 cis-9) acid, SFA, and MUFA in the LM. Both n-6 PUFA, linoleic (C18:2) and arachidonic (C20:4) acids, decreased linearly (P = 0.001) with increasing TOP. Increasing TOP linearly reduced (P = 0.01) concentrations of all n-3 fatty acids in the LM. These changes resulted in a linear reduction (P = 0.01) in n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratio with advancing TOP; however, the magnitude of the difference was small (1.46 vs. 1.37). At 14 d of postmortem aging, WBSF was lowest (P < 0.001) for 89-d TOP and greatest (P < 0.05) for the 201-d TOP. After 28 d of postmortem aging, WBSF values for 89- and 146-d TOP did not differ (P > 0.05) compared to the 14-d postmortem aging WBSF values. However, in steaks from 201-d TOP, additional postmortem aging to 28 d reduced (P < 0.001) WBSF. In pasture-based beef finishing systems, increasing TOP increases animal age, HCW, fat thickness, and marbling score; however, tenderness of ribeye steaks decreased with advanced TOP such that longer postmortem aging times were required to achieve similar tenderness levels.

Effects of Different Levels of Concentrate in the Diet on Physicochemical Traits of Korean Native Black Goat Meats.

The effects of feeding of diets based on roughage supplemented with concentrate on the carcass and meat quality attributes of Korean black goats were investigated. The 40 male goats at 5 mon age were divided into four treatment groups; T1 (1.5%), T2 (2.0%), T3 (2.5%) and T4 (ad libitum) feeding of concentrate with ad libitum rice straw. Forty bucks at the end of the feeding were fasted for 12 h before slaughter and were then slaughtered. For carcass measurement, cold buck carcasses were examined after 24 h of chilling at 5℃. The carcasses were chilled in refrigerator at 2±2℃ for 24 h, then the longissimus dorsi muscle was removed from the carcasses. The samples were separately vacuum packaged, frozen and stored at −20℃ for up to 1 mon, prior to physicochemical evaluations. Carcass yields were greatly affected by rate of concentrate feeding. T4 showed the heaviest live and carcass weights and the highest dressing and fat percentages (p<0.05). The moisture contents were lower in T4 compared with other treatments, while the crude protein and fat contents were higher (p<0.05). monounsaturated fatty acid in T4 was significantly higher than others, which showed the highest percentages of oleic acid (C18:1). For the sensory test, T4 was tenderer and produced better flavor scores than others. Increasing the level of concentrate in the diet resulted in an improvement in growth performance, and carcass and physicochemical characteristics of goat meats.

Fattening ability and carcass value of Dhamari and Tehami ram lambs, F₁ crossbreds of Dhamari × Tehami in Yemen.

A fattening experiment was carried out to analyze and evaluate the effect of ram lamb genotype on the growth, feed conversion (FC), and carcass value of Dhamari ram lambs, F1 crossbreds of Dhamari × Tehami (F1 DhT), and Tehami ram lambs. Genotype of the ram lambs including the experiment (n = 30) had high significant effect on total weight gain (TWG), average daily gain (ADG), and FC (P < 0.01-0.001). Genotype of the lamb had significant effect on hot and cold dressing percentage (P < 0.001). Also, genotype of the lamb had significant effect on the highest leg percentage (P < 0.001). Furthermore, genotype of the ram lambs had significant effect on musculus longissimus dorsi (MLD) area (P < 0.001). Genotype of the ram lamb had significant effect on TWG, ADG, and FC (P < 0.001). The results of moisture percentage, crude protein percentage, and ash percentage of muscle samples were significantly influenced by ram lamb's genotype (P < 0.001). Fasting live weight and other carcass measurements (hot carcass weight, leg weight, loin weight, shoulder weight, first quality cuts weight) have a positive and highest correlations (P < 0.001). The positive and the highest correlations were found between fasting live weight and hot carcass weight, first quality parts weight. In addition, the positive and the highest correlations were found between hot carcass weight and first quality cuts weight. In general, the results of this study documented that F1 DhT was better than Tehami ram lambs in ADG, TWG, and FC. Additionally, the results show that the feed conversion was in F1 DhT crossbreds ram lambs better than pure Dhamari and Tehami ram lambs, mainly in the carcass indicators.

The effects of feeder design and dietary dried distillers' grains with solubles on the performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs1,2

Three experiments were conducted to compare the effects of a conventional dry (five 30.5-cm spaces 152.4 cm wide; Staco Inc., Schaefferstown, PA) vs. a wet-dry (double sided; each side = 38.1-cm space; Crystal Spring; GroMaster Inc., Omaha, NE) finishing feeder (Exp. 1 and 2) and to evaluate the effects of feeder design and dietary level of dried distillers' grains with solubles (DDGS; >10% oil; Exp. 3) on performance and carcass characteristics of finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, 1,186 pigs (32.1 kg BW) were used in a 69-d experiment. There were 26 to 28 pigs per pen and 22 pens per feeder design, and all pigs received the same diets in 4 phases. In Exp. 2, 1,236 pigs (28.7 kg BW) were used in a 104-d experiment, with 25 to 28 pigs per pen and 23 pens per feeder design, and all pigs received the same diets in 5 phases. Carcass measurements were obtained from 11 pens of each feeder design after harvest. In Exp. 3, 1,080 pigs (35.1 kg BW) were used in a 99-d 2 × 2 factorial with main effects of feeder design (dry vs. wet-dry feeders) and DDGS (20 vs. 60%) with 10 pens of 27 pigs per treatment and all diets fed in 4 phases. Jowl fat samples were collected from 2 pigs per pen for fatty acid analysis and iodine value (IV) determination. In all experiments, pigs fed with the wet-dry feeder had greater (P < 0.05) ADG, ADFI, and final BW. In Exp. 2 and 3, HCW and backfat depth were increased (P < 0.05) for pigs fed with a wet-dry feeder, but G:F and fat-free lean index (FFLI) were reduced. Jowl IV was also reduced (P < 0.05) with a wet-dry feeder in Exp. 3. Pigs fed 60% DDGS in Exp. 3 had decreased (P < 0.05) ADG, G:F, final BW, HCW, and backfat but increased jowl IV and a tendency (P < 0.07) toward greater FFLI regardless of feeder type. In conclusion, pigs fed with this specific type of wet-dry feeder had improved ADG and ADFI, poorer G:F, and increased backfat depth compared to pigs fed with a conventional dry feeder. The poorer growth performance and increased jowl IV of pigs fed diets with 60% DDGS was similarly exhibited for pigs fed on both feeders.

Comparison of broiler performance and carcass yields when fed diets containing genetically modified canola meal from event DP-Ø73496-4, near-isogenic canola meal, or commercial canola meals

Genetically modified (GM) canola (Brassica napus L.) line containing event DP-Ø73496–4 (hereafter referred to as 73496 canola) was produced by the insertion of the glyphosate acetyltransferase (gat 4621) gene derived from Bacillus licheniformis. Expression of the GAT4621 protein present in 73496 canola plants confers in planta tolerance to the herbicidal active ingredient glyphosate. The objective of this study was to compare the nutritional performance of broiler chickens fed canola meal from 73496 canola seed with that of broiler chickens fed non-GM canola meal in a 42-d feeding trial. Diets were prepared using meal processed from seed from unsprayed 73496 plants or from plants sprayed with an in-field application of glyphosate herbicide [73496(S)]. For comparison, additional diets were produced with canola meal obtained from the non-GM near-isogenic control or non-GM commercial reference DuPont Pioneer brand varieties 42H72, 42H73, 46A65, and 44A89. Diets were fed to Ross 708 broilers (n = 120/group, 50% male and 50% female) in 3 phases: starter and grower phases containing 10 or 20% canola meal, respectively, and a finisher phase with a common corn-soybean meal diet without any canola meal. No statistically significant differences were observed in growth performance measures or organ and carcass yields between broilers consuming diets produced with canola meal from unsprayed or sprayed 73496 seed and those consuming diets produced with canola meal from control seed. Additionally, all performance, organ, and carcass measures from control, 73496, and 73496(S) canola treatment groups were within tolerance intervals constructed using data from the reference canola groups. It was concluded from these results that meal processed from 73496 canola seed (unsprayed plants or plants sprayed with glyphosate) was nutritionally equivalent to meal processed from non-GM near-isogenic control canola seed.

Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams as terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system: VII. Accuracy of ultrasound predictors and their association with carcass weight, yield, and value.

Use of lamb BW or chilled carcass weights (CCW), live-animal ultrasound or direct carcass measurements of backfat thickness (BF; mm) and LM area (LMA; cm(2)), and carcass body wall thickness (BWall; mm) to predict carcass yield and value was evaluated using 512 crossbred lambs produced over 3 yr by mating Columbia, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams to adult Rambouillet ewes. Lambs were harvested at 3 BW endpoints within each year. The predictive value of 3 to 5 additional linear measurements of live-animal or carcass size and shape was also evaluated. Residual correlations (adjusted for effects of year, breed, and harvest group) between ultrasound and direct measurements were 0.69 for BF and 0.65 for LMA. Increasing ultrasound or carcass LMA had positive effects (P < 0.001) on yield of chilled carcass (i.e., on dressing percentage) and, at comparable CCW, on weight of high-value cuts (rack, loin, leg, and sirloin) before trimming (HVW), weight of trimmed high-value cuts (trimmed rack and loin and trimmed boneless leg and sirloin; TrHVW), and carcass value before (CVal) and after (TrCVal) trimming of high-value cuts. By contrast, ultrasound and direct measures of BF had positive effects on yields of CCW and on HVW and CVal but large negative effects on TrHVW and TrCVal. After adjusting for BW at scanning, increases of 1 mm in ultrasound BF or 1 cm(2) in ultrasound LMA were associated with changes of US$-0.32 (P < 0.10) and $1.62 (P < 0.001), respectively, in TrCVal. Carcass BWall was generally superior to carcass BF as a predictor of TrHVW and TrCVal. Carcass LMA was superior to ultrasound LMA but carcass BF was inferior to ultrasound BF for prediction of carcass yield and value. Increasing LMA thus would be expected to improve carcass yield and value. Addition of linear measurements of live-animal or carcass size and shape to the prediction model reduced residual SD (RSD) for TrHVW and TrCVal by 0.4 to 2.2%, but subsequent removal of ultrasound or direct measures of BF and LMA from the prediction model increased RSD by 7.4 to 12.2%. Measurements of CCW, LMA, BF, and BWall would thus be appropriate to support programs for value-based marketing of lamb carcasses and are superior to systems based only on measurements of size and shape in unribbed carcasses.