Effects of genotype, level of supplementation, and organic chromium on growth performance, carcass, and meat traits grazing lambs

Meat Sci. 2011 Jul;88(3):404-8. doi: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2011.01.018. Epub 2011 Feb 2.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of Suffolk×Dorper (SD) and Rambouillet (R) lamb genotypes, dietary supplementation, and organic chromium on growth performance, carcass, and meat traits in male lambs grazing ryegrass pasture. SD lambs had heavier cold carcass (HCW) and better carcass yield (CY) and rib eye area at 12th rib (RA) than R lambs; R had larger legs. Feed supplement increased average daily weight gain (ADG), slaughter live weight (SLW), hot carcass weight (HCW) and cold carcass weight (CCW), carcass yield, carcass length (CL), leg perimeter (LP), major thorax width (MTW), minor thorax width (MiTW), rib eye area and dorsal fat at 12th rib (DF12), and also decreased meat moisture. Organic chromium reduced dorsal fat at 12th rib and meat fat content.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Animal Feed / analysis*
  • Animal Husbandry / methods
  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Body Weight
  • Chromium / administration & dosage*
  • Crosses, Genetic
  • Diet / veterinary*
  • Diet, Fat-Restricted
  • Dietary Fats / analysis
  • Dietary Proteins / analysis
  • Dietary Supplements* / analysis
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Lolium / chemistry
  • Male
  • Meat / analysis*
  • Mexico
  • Seasons
  • Shear Strength
  • Sheep, Domestic / anatomy & histology
  • Sheep, Domestic / genetics*
  • Sheep, Domestic / growth & development*
  • Water / analysis

Substances

  • Dietary Fats
  • Dietary Proteins
  • Water
  • Chromium