Cull Ewes Research Articles

FS900284 Survey of the Microbiological Contamination of Cull Ewes and Prime Lamb at Slaughter in England and Wales

The aim of this FSA-funded survey was to determine microbial contamination on sheep carcases in abattoirs in England and Wales as the last survey of healthy sheep at slaughter in England and Wales was undertaken 20 years ago. This project was run in conjunction with surveys funded by Defra and the PATH-SAFE research programme aimed at determining prevalence of caecal carriage of pathogens and levels of antimicrobial resistance in sheep at slaughter. Twelve out of 132 abattoirs in England and Wales were recruited, covering 28% of the annual national sheep slaughterhouse throughput. In total,1282 carcase swab samples were collected over a 12-month period from February 2023 to January 2024. All samples were tested for the isolation and quantification of Salmonella, 366 were tested for Campylobacter and 103 were tested for Enterobacteriaceae and E. coli. Salmonella was only detected in 7 (0.55%) of carcase swabs. Five isolates were confirmed as S. enterica subsp. diarizonae serotype 61:k:1:5, a sheep-adapted type with no confirmed association with human disease. The other two isolates were confirmed as S. Typhimurium. Campylobacter contamination was detected on 76 (20.8%) of carcases tested. Prevalence of E. coli (88.4%) and Enterobacteriaceae (75%) was as expected in freshly slaughtered meat, with 81.6% and 84.5% of these samples, respectively, presenting low levels of contamination The contamination detected on sheep carcases was significantly lower than that found in caecal samples examined in the Defra study suggesting that slaughtering processes are effective in reducing carcases being contaminated with pathogens. Correct cooking and hygienic handling and preparation of sheep meat will reduce/eliminate surface microbiological contamination further and reduce the risk to consumers. These results provide valuable baseline data that will help inform risk assessments and risk modelling and will inform future decisions by Government and the meat industry.

Sudden death due to aortic rupture in New Zealand sheep

ABSTRACT Case history Over a period of 2 months in the spring and early summer of 2021, 13 cases of sudden death in cull ewes due to aortic rupture were diagnosed at a small number of New Zealand abattoirs. Clinical findings In 12/13 (92%) cases, a large blood clot was present in the thorax, and in one case the blood clot was seen in the tissues dorsal to the heart. There were no obvious signs of external trauma. The pluck (heart and lungs) or fixed aorta was submitted for histological examination in seven cases and in all of these, a tear in the aorta was found. Comparing the microscopic appearance of the proximal aorta in these seven cases to three clinically normal ewes from unaffected farms, the aortic wall thickness appeared thinner in the case ewes than the unaffected ewes. Subjectively, there was increased collagen in the tunica media in 3/7 and decreased elastin fibres in 5/7 case ewes compared to the control ewes. Further investigations on the index farm (where the first cases originated), found that the mean liver and serum Cu concentrations in 10 similarly aged, clinically normal ewes were within the normal reference range for New Zealand sheep. Similarly, the liver Cu concentrations of the seven case ewes were within the normal reference range. Diagnosis Aortic rupture due to an unknown aetiology. Clinical relevance Clinicians should be aware of this condition as a differential diagnosis for sudden death in older sheep and to assist the Ministry for Primary Industries in establishing the extent of this problem in New Zealand.

Efficiency of grazing for adult culled sheep in the southern regions of Kyrgyzstan

This article provides an analysis of the fattening of adult cull ewes of the Gissar and Gissar-Kyrgyz breeds, and provides research results. In Kyrgyzstan, sheep meat, especially fat-tailed sheep, is very popular among the local population. It is important to note that a breeding system is used there, which is based on year-round transhumance and pasture keeping of sheep. This allows you to achieve several goals: firstly, to produce relatively inexpensive products; secondly, to effectively use mountain and foothill pastures for grazing sheep; and, finally, to ensure the production of environmentally friendly lamb meat and fat tail fat for traditional medicine. Sheep feeding plays an important role in increasing the volume and improving the quality of lamb production. In solving the problems of increasing meat production in the Kyrgyz Republic, the leading place belongs to sheep breeds for meat and fat production. Fattailed sheep have high meat and fat productivity and early maturity. These qualities make them valuable for replenishing meat resources and ensuring high meat and fat qualities.

Effect of age and diet on carcass and meat quality in ewes

This study elucidated the effect of age and diet on carcass characteristics and meat quality parameters of Rambouillet ewes. Forty ewes (n = 20 yearling ewes and n = 20 cull ewes) were fed with alfalfa hay (AH) or a 100 % concentrate diet (CD). Treatments were: a) 10 cull ewes were fed only with AH, b) 10 yearling ewes were fed only with AH, c) 10 cull ewes were fed with CD, d) 10 yearling ewes were fed with CD. Productive performance, carcass and meat quality were analyzed. Animals had ten days for adaptation and 35 days were used to collect data. Dry matter intake was greater (P < 0.05) for CD. Feed conversion rates were not affected by treatments. The pH at 45 min and 24 h, carcass length, leg length, leg width, thorax width, and thorax perimeter were not affected by treatments. Hot carcass weight was heavier (P < 0.05) in cull ewes, cold carcass weight was increased (P < 0.05) with CD. Carcass yield (CY) was heavier in CD (P < 0.05). Cull ewes had greater (P < 0.05) lean CIELAB L*, a*, b*, c*, and h* values compared to yearling ewes. The color changes increased with age at five days (P < 0.05), but a decrease (P < 0.05) with diet was observed at ten days. Cathepsins B, B + L, and Lowry protein content were not affected by treatments. In conclusion, feeding cull ewes with concentrate diets may enhance body weight gain and carcass yield compared to a diet based on 100 % alfalfa hay.

Assessment of Changes in Udder Half Defects over Time in Non-Dairy Ewes

A total of 1039 non-dairy breed (Romney) ewes were enrolled in two studies to assess the changes in udder half defect status (hard, lump, or normal) over time and to predict the risk of future udder half defect occurrence. In the first study (study A), udder halves of 991 ewes were assessed utilizing a standardized udder palpation method and scored four times a year, for two successive years (pre-mating, pre-lambing, docking, and weaning). The second study (study B) assessed the udder halves at pre-mating, and at six weekly intervals in the first six weeks of lactation in 46 ewes that had defective and normal udder halves. Udder half defect change over time was visualized via lasagna plots, and multinomial logistic regression was used to predict the risk or probability of udder half defect occurrence. In the first study, the highest occurrence of udder halves categorised as hard was observed at either pre-mating or docking. Udder halves categorised as lump had their highest occurrence at either docking or weaning. Udder halves detected with a defect (hard or lump) at pre-mating were more likely (RRR: 6.8 to 1444) to be defective (hard or lump) at future examinations (pre-lambing, docking, or weaning) within the same year or pre-mating the following year, compared to udder halves categorised as normal. In the second study, the change of udder half defect type over the first six weeks of lactation was variable. However, it was observed that the udder half defects, particularly udder halves categorised as hard, decreased during lactation. Failure to express milk in udder halves in early lactation was associated with a higher occurrence and persistency of udder half defects. In conclusion, the occurrence of diffuse hardness or lumps in an udder half changed over time, and the risk of future occurrence of a defect was higher in udder halves previously categorised as either hard or lump. Hence, it is recommended that farmers identify and cull ewes with udder halves categorised as hard and lump.

Effect of myrtle leaves integration in sheep diet and its addition as powder on leg meat' oxidative stability, physicochemical, microbiological and sensory properties during storage.

The synthetic antioxidant improved the shelf life of meat products; however, consumers start to reject them for health reason. For this, the natural antioxidants like Myrtle distillate leaves (MDL) could be an interesting alternative and potential natural antioxidant given their richness in bioactive compounds. This study aimed to test the effect of myrtle distillate leaves (MDL) as natural antioxidant in premortem phase as diet of cull ewes and in postmortem phase in form of powder added to deboned legs on meat' quality. All ewes received individually 500 g of hay and 750 g of concentrate for Control (C) group; for Myrt group, the concentrate was partially replaced (400 g) by pellets containing 30% MDL and 350 g concentrate. For each ewe, both legs were used for the experiment; one leg was treated with MDL powder and the other with Control. Meat from ewes' fed MDL presented better scores for red color, aftertaste and juiciness, than control group. Meat treated with MDL powder showed the highest values of total phenolic, α-tocopherol content and redness score with lower lipid oxidation (p < .05). The microbiological quality of meat was not affected by MDL. Myrtle distillate leaves could be used in different forms, in order to obtain higher meat product quality.

Nutritional effects and feeding behavior in ewes fed with biscuit bran and cashew nut bran, with different energy levels.

This research evaluated the effects of biscuit bran and cashew nut bran as energy source and additional energy level on intake, digestibility, feeding behavior, energy partitioning, N balance, and blood parameters on ewes. Twenty Morada Nova cull ewes breed (average age of 3years old and initial body weight of 30.1 ± 3.56kg) were distributed in a completely randomized design in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme of two energy sources (biscuit bran vs. cashew nut bran) and two levels of energy above 10% and 25% of the recommended energy requirements. The inclusion of cashew nut bran above 10% of the recommended energy promoted a lower crude protein (CP) and ethereal extract intake (P < 0.01) than cashew nut bran above 25% of the recommended energy. The interaction between energy source × energy level did not affect digestibility and energy partition on ewes (P > 0.05). The diet containing cashew nut bran above 10% of the recommended energy presented lower metabolizable energy intake and energy balance (P < 0.05). Regarding N balance, the cashew nut bran diet above 10% of the recommended energy decreased Nintake (P = 0.01), Nabsorbed (P < 0.01), and Nbalance (P = 0.04). Partial replacement of corn with the byproduct biscuit bran or cashew nut bran is a possible nutritional strategy. Ewes fed with 210g/kg of biscuit bran presented greater CP intake and improvement of the protein use with the reduction of plasma levels of urea.

High consumer acceptance of mutton and the influence of ageing method on eating quality

To compare the eating quality (EQ) of wet (WA) and dry aged (DA) mutton longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) and semimembranosus (SM), bone-in leg and loin primals from 81 merino cull ewes were WA or DA for 14, 28, 42 or 56 days. Untrained consumers (n = 540) assessed the excised LTL and SM for EQ (tenderness, juiciness, liking of flavour and overall liking, 0–100), quality grade and respective willingness to pay (WTP). LTL scored higher than SM for EQ, P < 0.001 for all consumer sores. Mean LTL EQ scores were > 70 and mean SM EQ scores >54. Ageing method had no significant effect on LTL or SM EQ (P > 0.05 for all consumer scores). Ageing beyond 14 days improved SM and LTL tenderness. Consumers most often graded LTL and SM quality grades as “better than everyday” and “good everyday” respectively; corresponding WTP was 26.90 $AUD/kg and 18.80 $AUD/kg. Extended ageing periods improved mutton tenderness.

Effects of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) by-products and linseed (Linumusitatissimum) intake on digestibility, body weight gain, and estimated tissular composition in cull fat-tailed ewes.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) residues (RR) as dietary supplement in association with linseed (Linumusitatissimum) on digestive aspects and body weight (BW) gain in fat-tailed Barbarine ewes. To achieve this, 24 cull ewes (BW: 33 ± 2.7kg) were divided into four groups receiving a basal diet composed of 500g of straw for two groups (S) and 300g of straw in addition to 200g of RR for two other groups (R). All animals received 750g of concentrate; the usual concentrate (UC) was offered for one S (S-UC) and one R group (R-UC); the linseed concentrate (LC) was also offered for one S (S-LC) and one R group (R-LC). The fattening and digestibility trials lasted 90days. The dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility were similar across the groups. However, the crude protein (CP) intake and digestibility and the neutral detergent fiber intake were significantly affected by the treatments (P > 0.05). The nitrogen intake (NI), the fecal, and retained nitrogen were significantly affected by the regimen (P < 0.05); however, the urinary nitrogen was unchanged. The nitrogen balance was positive for all groups averaging 60% of the NI. The ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen, and protozoa concentration were not affected by the RR intake and linseed supply; however, the control time affected significantly these parameters. Final BW, the average daily gain, the muscle, and fat contents were neither affected by the basal diet nor by the concentrate type (P > 0.05). In conclusion, the RR intake in association with linseed did not alter the animal's performances by improving their productive characteristics and consequently, the commercial value of this sheep's category.

Discrimination study between the carcass and non-carcass components for interaction between gender, age, and production system in indigenous sheep

The objective of this work was to evaluate the yields, morphometric measures, carcass, and non-carcass components, and carcass regional and tissue composition of an indigenous sheep (Pantaneiro) of different physiological stages (gender, age, system production. Thirty sheep, eleven lambs, nine wethers, and ten cull ewes were used. The lambs were finished in feedlots, the wethers were maintained on pastures and supplementation, and the cull ewes were maintained on an extensive pasture system with mineral salt ad libitum. Slaughter ages were defined to simulate the most representative products and farming systems. Animals were slaughtered and classified as non- castrated lambs, wethers, and cull ewes. The criteria to slaughter lambs and wethers were the body condition, which ranged from 2.5 to 3.0. Cull ewes were slaughtered based on negative pregnancy diagnosis, regardless of their body condition, which ranged from 4.0 to 4.5. All animals were slaughtered after 16-hours of fasting (solids). The ewes presented the greatest fat thickness, differing significantly from the lambs. The morphometric measures were higher in ewes and lambs. The muscle to fat ratio of the animal’s cuts from different physiological stages presented no significant differences. The indigenous Pantaneiro sheep have good potential for meat production regardless of their physiological stages. The ewes stood out, presenting carcasses with good performance considering their potential and longer permanence in the herd due to their reproductive function.

Effect of high-concentrate diets with calcium lignosulfonate and cottonseed processing method on quantitative traits and non-carcass components of feedlot cull ewes

This study examined the effects of cottonseed processing form and the inclusion of calcium lignosulfonate in high-concentrate diets for feedlot cull ewes on carcass traits and non-carcass components. Thirty Santa Inês cull ewes with an average body weight of 44.2 5.2 kg and an average age of 50 months were distributed into collective stalls in a completely randomized design. The treatments consisted of diets including whole cottonseed, crushed cottonseed, whole cottonseed treated with lignosulfonate (100 g/kg, as fed), crushed cottonseed treated with lignosulfonate (100 g/kg, as fed), and a control diet without cottonseed. The experimental diets did not influence () average daily weight gain (0.195 kg/day), slaughter weight (51.74 kg), or in vivo biometric and on-carcass measurements. There was no difference () in loin-eye area or subcutaneous fat thickness as evaluated in vivo by ultrasound. There was no diet effect on hot carcass weight and yield (24.8 kg and 47.8 %), cold carcass weight and yield (24.2 kg and 46.8 %), or chilling loss (2.1 %). Non-carcass components did not differ in response to the diets (). Dietary inclusion of calcium lignosulfonate increases the proportions of udder and liver relative to empty body weight (). Neither the cottonseed processing method nor the inclusion of calcium lignosulfonate in high-concentrate diets for cull ewes affects their performance, biometric or morphometric measurements, non-carcass components, or qualitative traits of their carcass.

Effects of distillated myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) leaves’ intake on cull ewes’ body weight gain, carcass composition and meat quality

Aim of study: Cull ewes are characterized by poor body condition, low body weights and tough meat texture. This work aimed to investigate the effect of distillated myrtle leaves (MDL) intake on body weight (BW) gain; carcass characteristics and meat quality of Barbarine cull ewes.Area of study: Northwest of TunisiaMaterial and methods: 27 Barbarine ewes were assigned into 3 groups receiving 500 g of oat hay and 750 g of concentrate control group (C), while they were given concentrate and pellets, containing 87% MDL, as substitute to hay in MHay group; for MConc group, they were fed hay, concentrate and pellets containing 30% MDL in partial substitution to concentrate. At the end of the fattening period (90 days), ewes were slaughtered.Main results: The dry matter intake was higher (p&lt;0.05) for MConc and C groups. The average daily gain was significantly higher for C and MConc than MHay groups (113 and 107 vs. 87 g, respectively). Ewes fed MHay and MConc had a significantly lower feed conversion rate than Control group (12.5 vs. 15.4). Dietary treatment had no significant effect on carcass joint’s weight and proportions. The dressing percentage and carcass tissue composition were similar for all groups. The ultimate pH, water cooking loss and color parameters values were unaffected by the type of diet.Research highlights: These findings revealed that MDL could substitute, in ewes feeding, up to 87% to hay or up to 30% to concentrate without negative effects on body weight, carcass characteristics and meat quality.

Hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters of cull ewes fed high-concentrate diets with cottonseed associated with calcium lignosulfonate

The aim of this study was to evaluate the hematological, biochemical, and histopathological parameters of kidneys, liver, and rumen of cull ewes fed high-concentrate diets containing cottonseed (CS) associated with calcium lignosulfonate (CL). The evaluated treatments were diets including the whole cottonseed; crushed cottonseed; whole cottonseed treated with lignosulfonate; crushed cottonseed with lignosulfonate; plus a control diet without cottonseed. Thirty ewes with an average weight of 44.2 ± 5.2 kg and an average age of 50 months were distributed into collective stalls. Data revealed a lack of differences between the diets, irrespective of the CS processing or its association with lignosulfonate, on the hematological and biochemical blood profiles. There were changes (P<0.05) for serum total cholesterol and triglycerides when CS was associated with lignosulfonate, regardless of its physical form. Discrete multifocal hydropic degeneration and steatosis in the liver were observed at the greater intensity in treatments CCS and CCSL. Histological findings in animals from treatments CCS, WCSL and CCSL revealed discrete to moderate multifocal mineralization in the kidneys. Parakeratotic hyperkeratotic areas were observed in the rumen in all treatments. The association between cottonseed and lignosulfonate may be a good option in the formulation of diets for sheep with lipid supplementation.

Dietary inclusion of nonconventional roughages for lowering enteric methane production and augmenting nutraceutical value of meat in cull sheep

A study was undertaken to determine the effect of nonconventional roughages on nutrient utilization, enteric methane production and meat quality in cull ewes. Thirty six adult ewes (>5 yrs, BW = 30.3 ± 0.92 kg) were divided into four groups and fed for 90 days (d) on four complete feed blocks containing 400 g/kg different roughages and 600 g/kg concentrate mixture. Roughages were Cenchurus ciliaris hay (T-Cc), Crotalaria medicaginea hay (T-Cm), Blepharis scindica (T-Bs) and Trigonella foenum-graecum straw (T-Tf). Apparent digestibility of the all nutrients were higher (P < 0.05) in T-Bs treatment except crude protein. Enteric methane emission (g/kg DMI) was lower in T-Bs with an average reduction of 5.5 % digestible energy loss as compared to other treatments. Feeding of complete feed blocks containing B. scindica herbage (T-Bs) reduced enteric methane emission by 49.3 %, T. foenum-graecum straw (T-Tf) by 35.5 % and C. medicaginea (T-Cm) by 22.3 % per kg DOMI as compared to C. ciliaris hay (T-Cc). Likewise, there was a shift in rumen fermentation towards propionigenesis and higher (P < 0.05) concentration was recorded in T-Bs and T-Cm treatments. Body weight gain of cull ewes and total fat content (%) of carcass was higher (P < 0.05) in T-Cm and T-Bs treatment while, it was lower in T-Tf. However, fatty acid profile of Longissimus thoracis muscle showed higher (P < 0.05) proportion of C18:3n3, C18:2c9t11 and total PUFA in ewes fed blocks containing T. foenum-graecum straw (T-Tf). From the present findings it can be concluded that feeding of complete feed blocks consisting B. scindica and T. foenum-graecum straw to ewes reduced enteric methane emission by 49.3 and 26.8 percent respectively. Additionally, dietary inclusion of feed blocks with T. foenum-graecum straw improved desirable fatty acid contents in the muscles of ewes. Hence, including these alternative roughages in the diet of cull ewes could be a promising approach to reduce enteric methane emission and augment nutraceutical value of meat with desirable fatty acid contents.

Product Design to Enhance Consumer Liking of Cull Ewe Meat.

The global sheepmeat industry aspires to increase consumer liking for cull ewe meat and thereby increase its value; dry ageing application can increase the consumer appeal of this meat. In order to develop novel consumer-liked dry aged sheepmeat products, an innovation process aligned with design thinking principles was initiated. The objective was to understand optimal dry aged sheepmeat product formats from chef, butcher, producer and consumer perspectives, and use these findings to develop “highly liked” and “premium” dry aged cull ewe meat dishes. The methodology used and the results of stakeholder engagement, perceptual mapping, and quantitative consumer assessments are reported. Stakeholder engagement showed the importance of how novel products are introduced to the consumer and to the chef. Perceptual mapping highlighted that chef-perceived product “premiumness” was driven by eating quality and complexity of the dish. Consumer assessment validated these findings with increases in dish liking associated with increased premiumness and complexity in dish presentation. Overall, the described approach was successful; eight highly liked dry aged cull ewe meat dishes were developed (all scored > 7.69 on a 9-point hedonic scale for liking), and four of the eight dishes were rated “at the level of a very premium food”.

Effect of carcase characteristics and sheep breeding values on the yield of dry- and wet-aged multipurpose merino cull ewe meat

Dry-ageing of sheepmeat is a novel application, and there is an opportunity to optimise process yields through the selection of appropriate animals and or carcases for dry-ageing. The effects of carcase characteristics and sheep breeding values (post-weaning and yearling; fat depth, muscling and weight) on yields from wet- and dry-aged sheepmeat were investigated. Bone-in leg and loin primals from 96 multipurpose merino cull ewe carcasses were wet- or dry-aged for 14, 28, 42 or 56 days. The yield components’ primal moisture loss %, trim yield %, saleable meat yield % and retail cut yield % were determined. For loin and leg, dry ageing increased primal moisture loss but decreased saleable meat yield and retail cut yield compared to wet ageing (P< 0.001 for all). In addition, loin primal moisture loss reduced with increasing hot carcase weight, fat score and post weaning fat depth (P< 0.05 for all). Leg primal moisture loss reduced with increasing fat score and increased with yearling weight (P < 0.05 for all). The magnitude of dry ageing induced yield reduction (due to primal moisture loss) was found to depend on the finishing stage of the product; e.g. the dry-aged loin primal was more impacted by moisture loss than the rack retail cut fabricated from the loin. In conclusion, the association of yield with carcase characteristics and Australian sheep breeding values could be utilised to identify animals, carcasses and primals with superior dry-aged yield.

Effects of dietary energy content and source using by-products on carcass and meat quality traits of cull ewes

In cull ewes, energy supply by time short periods can affect growth, carcass traits, and meat quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of biscuit bran (BB) and cashew nut bran (CNB) in diets with different total digestible nutrient (TDN) content on animal performance and carcass and meat traits of cull ewes. Twenty Morada Nova cull ewes, with the initial BW of 30.1 ± 3.56 kg, and three years of age were distributed in a completely randomized design into factorial scheme 2 × 2, with two energy sources (BB and CNB) × two levels of TDN. All diets were isoproteic with variations in TDN content increased by 10% (TDN10) and 25% (TDN25) above the recommended requirement for the study category, which was 66.0% TDN. The experimental period lasted 56 days, in which daily intake in relation to metabolic weight and weight performance of the animals was determined. The hot carcass, the cold carcass, commercial cuts, loin eye area, and subcutaneous fat thickness were measured, obtained, or calculated. A sample of the Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle was used by determination of physical-chemical composition, sensory, and fatty acid (FA) profile analysis. The ANOVA was performed to access the effect of diet and energy level on the characteristics studied, and means were compared by the Turkey and Kruskal Wallis tests at 5% of probability. A higher daily gain weight was observed from TDN25 (P = 0.006). Among by-products, higher nutrient intakes were observed in animals fed with BB diets (P < 0.01), except for crude protein. The same patterns have been observed for live weight, reconstituted half-carcass, higher yield in fat thickness, and internal carcass length. Cashew nut bran produced darker colored meat (P = 0.017) and higher cooking weight loss (P = 0.008). Higher lipid content was observed in animals submitted to diets with CNB and TDN25 (P = 0.001). The internal length of the carcass was higher in animals fed with BB (P = 0.041). All diets did not effect on sensory characteristics (P > 0.05). Total digestible nutrient in 25% above recommended promotes higher weight gain and meat with higher lipid content and less weight loss by cooling. The inclusion of BB, compared to CNB, provides a higher weight of carcasses and better conformation, in addition to lower total lipid content with higher proportion for monounsaturated FAs in meat, providing more attractive features for the consumer market.

The effect of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) distillation residues and linseed supply on fatty acid profile, meat colour, lipid oxidation and sensorial and hygienic quality of cull Barbarine ewes' meat.

To test the hypothesis that feeding cull ewes with Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) distillation residues (RR) and linseed improves meat quality traits; fatty acid (FA) profile, lipid oxidation, meat colour, sensory and microbiological analysis were investigated. For this, 28 Barbarine ewes received 500g of basal diet and 700g of concentrate. Two groups received the control concentrate (CC) with, as basal diet, straw for CCC and straw plus 200g of RR for RCC group. The two other groups received the concentrate containing 10% of linseed (LC) with straw for CLC and straw plus 200g of RR for RLC group. The linseed intake increased n-3 PUFA (+28.7%) and C18:3n-3(+41%) and decreased n-6/n-3 ratio from 4.55 to 3.25; while the RR diet affected only the content of branched chain fatty acid in cull ewes' meat. Feeding RR combined to linseed delayed lipid oxidation at almost ½ at Day 9 (2.38 vs. 4.63 for RLC and CLC respectively). Meat from rosemary diet had higher tenderness and lower resilience. It is concluded that the meat obtained after rosemary and linseed supply can be regarded as healthier and shows higher quality traits and greater oxidation stability under chilling storage.

Rehabilitation of Barbarine cull ewes using rosemary residues and linseed: effect on weight gain, carcass characteristics and meat quality

The cull ewes represent an important part of sheep flock. However, this category of animal is often submitted to under nutrition leading to poor BW and skeletal carcasses. Their rehabilitation using a high energy diet can be an alternative to improve their body condition. The objective of this experiment was to study the BW gain and carcass characteristics of Barbarine cull ewes using rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) distillation residues (RR) and extruded linseed. For this, 28 ewes above 6 years old and 33±0.5 kg of BW were divided into four groups: CCC was fed 500 g of barley-straw with concentrate, RCC received 300 g of straw and 200 g of RR as basal diet with concentrate; whereas two other groups received the experimental concentrate, containing 10% of linseed, with 500 g of straw for CLC and 300 g of straw plus 200 g of RR for RLC group. At the end of experiment (90 days), all animals were slaughtered. For all ewes, the daily concentrate intake averaged 700 g; the average daily gain was 131 g and the slaughter BW 43.4 kg without significant difference between groups. Neither basal diet nor concentrate type did affect the carcass’ weight, yield and composition. In addition, the organ’s proportions were similar for all groups. The RR intake slightly improved muscle’s protein content (P=0.03) and tended to decrease initial pH (P=0.06) and to increase meat redness (P=0.06), whereas linseed concentrate had no effect on meat color and its chemical composition. The subcutaneous fat color and firmness score relived a good quality trade for carcasses from all diets, in spite of higher yellowness and lower firmness recorded for linseed diet (P<0.05), which were moderately improved by rosemary combination with linseed. To conclude, the Barbarine cull ewes could gain up to 120 g/day in BW. The used diets permitted this BW gain without undesirable effects on carcass characteristics and meat quality. However, the study of meat fatty acid profile and antioxidant status should continue.

The anti-oxidant and antimicrobial effect of Rosmarinus officinalis L. distillation residues’ intake on cooked sausages from ewes fed linseed

The aim of the experiment was to study the lipid oxidation, microbiological and physic-chemical traits and sensory attributes of cooked sausages formulated from meat of cull ewes fed distillation residues of Rosmarinus officinalis L. (rosemary, RR) and/or linseed. The cooked sausages from ewes fed RR diet presented lower water activity and pH and inhibited microbial spoilage, the total viable count (TVC) was 4.6 vs. 3.4 at day 0 and 7.0 vs. 5.7 log UFC/g at day 20 for Control and RR sausages, respectively. The linseed supply did not affect the TVC. During storage, the sausage from ewes receiving RR had lower (p < 0.01) thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values compared with the Control, confirming the antioxidant power of RR, while the linseed intake accelerated the sausage’ color deterioration and lipid oxidation. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in water, proteins, lipids and ash contents between treatments. The RR sausages had lower fat index; adding RR to linseed diet decreased TBARS values. It could be concluded that adding RR to discarded sheep diet generated sausage with high value concerning nutritional characteristics and sensory traits. This natural and available additive permits the creation of a new processed meat product that can be added to the conventional sausage range.