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

Abstract

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.