1. Impact of Agro-Byproduct Supplementation on Carcass Traits and Meat Quality of Hair Sheep and Wool × Hair Crossbreds Grazing on Fescue Pasture.
- Author
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Lee, Jung Hoon, Wildeus, Stephan, O'Brien, Dahlia, and Kouakou, Brou
- Subjects
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ERECTOR spinae muscles , *MEAT quality , *FAT content of meat , *OMEGA-6 fatty acids , *ROTATIONAL grazing , *SHEEP , *GRASSLANDS - Abstract
Simple Summary: This study investigated the impact of terminal sire (Dorset) use and supplementation with agro-byproducts, specifically corn gluten feed and soy hull, on the carcasses and meat quality of landrace hair sheep (Barbados Blackbelly and St. Croix) under rotational grazing. The crossbred lambs had greater carcass weights and more substantial wholesale cuts from the shoulder, rack, loin, and leg than their purebred counterparts. The purebred supplemented lambs showed comparable enhancements in their carcass characteristics to those of the crossbred lambs. Fresh lamb from the purebred animals displayed a more vivid red and yellow hue compared to the crossbred lambs. The meat from the purebred lambs was found to be softer than that from their crossbred counterparts. Supplementation played a more crucial role than crossbreeding in enhancing carcass quality under the conditions of these experiments. The protein content was notably higher in the meat from the crossbred lambs, while the supplemented lambs produced meat with an increased fat content. Pasture-only lambs had elevated levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, displaying a healthier fatty acid profile than those receiving supplementary agro-byproducts. However, they benefited from the improved lipid oxidation stability and texture properties of the meat. The supplement type had no effects on the carcass characteristics, but it affected the meat composition. The effects of breed type (purebred or crossbred) and supplementation of agro-byproducts on the growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of landrace hair (Barbados Blackbelly; BB and St. Croix; SX) lambs was evaluated. Thirty-six 7.5-month-old purebred hair (BB and SX; body weight = 24.1 ± 4.26 kg) and terminal sire (Dorset; DO) crossbred lambs (DO × BB and DO × SX; body weight = 31.4 ± 3.50 kg) rotationally grazed predominantly on Jesup tall fescue pasture during spring with or without agro-byproduct supplementation (soyhull or corn gluten feed at 2% of BW). Following a 77d grazing period, the lambs were harvested, and their carcass characteristics and meat composition were evaluated. Both supplementation and crossbreeding significantly increased their carcass weight and primal cuts, whereas only supplementation increased (p < 0.01) the dressing percentage, and crossbreeding increased the shear force (p < 0.01). Regardless of breed type, supplementing agro-byproducts improved the lipid oxidation stability and texture properties of the fresh lamb, whereas the pasture-only lambs had healthier fatty acid profiles compared with the supplemented lambs. The results indicate that both terminal sire crossbreeding and byproduct supplementation can be used to affect the carcass characteristics and meat composition of landrace hair sheep lambs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2024
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