<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Fifty-two male Kivircik lambs were used to investigate the influences of finish weight (LOW: 25–26 kg, MEDIUM: 30–31 kg and HIGH: 35–36 kg) and production system (CON: concentrate-based system, PAS: pasture-based system) on carcass and meat quality characteristics. CON lambs (n=27) were weaned at 76 d of age and then finished on concentrate feed and alfalfa hay until slaughter. PAS lambs (n=25) grazed on native pasture in the day-time and sucked their dams until slaughter. CON group grew 30% faster during the experimental period; therefore significantly fewer days were required to reach the target weight. CON lambs had higher cold carcass weight, cold dressing percentage, and produced fattier carcasses compared with those of PAS system. PAS lambs had lower meat lightness values than CON ones. CON system produced more tender meat than PAS system in terms of shear force and sensory evaluation results. Intramuscular fat of the PAS lambs had higher percentage of ∑PUFA and <italic>∑n-3</italic> PUFA, and lower <italic>n-6/n-3</italic> ratio than that of CON ones. Finish weight had no influence on dressing percentage and carcass fatness. Meat of HIGH lambs had lower L* value than other groups. Panellists gave lower scores to meat of MEDIUM lambs for tenderness when compared with other groups. In conclusion, CON system might be considered to obtain higher carcass dressing, lighter meat colour and more tender meat, while PAS system had an advantage of lower <italic>n-6/n-3</italic> ratio and of higher <italic>∑n-3</italic> PUFA percentage. PAS lambs had lower fatness level than CON ones. Therefore, if priority is given to fatty acid composition and carcass with lower fat, PAS system might be considered. Finish weight of 35–36 kg might be preferred to increase lamb production, without any adverse effect on carcass and meat quality in both of the production systems.</p></abstract>

Fifty-two male Kivircik lambs were used to investigate the influences of finish weight (LOW: 25–26 kg, MEDIUM: 30–31 kg and HIGH: 35–36 kg) and production system (CON: concentrate-based system, PAS: pasture-based system) on carcass and meat quality characteristics. CON lambs (n=27) were weaned at 76 d of age and then finished on concentrate feed and alfalfa hay until slaughter. PAS lambs (n=25) grazed on native pasture in the day-time and sucked their dams until slaughter. CON group grew 30% faster during the experimental period; therefore significantly fewer days were required to reach the target weight. CON lambs had higher cold carcass weight, cold dressing percentage, and produced fattier carcasses compared with those of PAS system. PAS lambs had lower meat lightness values than CON ones. CON system produced more tender meat than PAS system in terms of shear force and sensory evaluation results. Intramuscular fat of the PAS lambs had higher percentage of ∑PUFA and ∑n-3 PUFA, and lower n-6/n-3 ratio than that of CON ones. Finish weight had no influence on dressing percentage and carcass fatness. Meat of HIGH lambs had lower L* value than other groups. Panellists gave lower scores to meat of MEDIUM lambs for tenderness when compared with other groups. In conclusion, CON system might be considered to obtain higher carcass dressing, lighter meat colour and more tender meat, while PAS system had an advantage of lower n-6/n-3 ratio and of higher ∑n-3 PUFA percentage. PAS lambs had lower fatness level than CON ones. Therefore, if priority is given to fatty acid composition and carcass with lower fat, PAS system might be considered. Finish weight of 35–36 kg might be preferred to increase lamb production, without any adverse effect on carcass and meat quality in both of the production systems.

The Effect of Production System and Finish Weight on Carcass and Meat Quality of Kivircik Lambs

Department of Animal Breeding and Husbandry

Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa Veterinary Faculty

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Fifty-two male Kivircik lambs were used to investigate the influences of finish weight (LOW: 25–26 kg, MEDIUM: 30–31 kg and HIGH: 35–36 kg) and production...

The Effect of Production System and Finish Weight on Carcass and Meat Quality of Kivircik Lambs

Published Online: May 02, 2019

Page range: 517 - 538

Received: Jul 29, 2018

Accepted: Feb 05, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2019-0010

Keywords
fatty acids, instrumental meat quality, sensory evaluation, sheep

© 2019 Bulent Ekiz et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

The Effect of Production System and Finish Weight on Carcass and Meat Quality of Kivircik Lambs

Published Online: May 02, 2019

Page range: 517 - 538

Received: Jul 29, 2018

Accepted: Feb 05, 2019

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2019-0010

Keywordsfatty acids, instrumental meat quality, sensory evaluation, sheep

© 2019 Bulent Ekiz et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
fatty acids, instrumental meat quality, sensory evaluation, sheep