Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7fkt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T01:38:42.597Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Assessment of the proportion of chemical fat in the bodies of live sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. C. Guerra ,
C. J. Thwaites  and
T. N. Edey
J. C. Guerra
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock Production, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, 2351
C. J. Thwaites
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock Production, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, 2351
T. N. Edey
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock Production, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, 2351
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

The ability of subjectively assessed body condition scores, direct measurements of backfat depth, and an objective body condition index (based on the size/weight relationship), to predict the proportion of chemical fat in the body of the live sheep was investigated in three groups of Merino ewes. All three techniques possessed a similar, and practically acceptable ability to predict the proportion of chemical fat in the fleece-free empty body. However, both live weight and fleece-free empty body weight possessed similar predictive powers, and the method of choice in any particular situation could thus be determined by the availability of weighing facilities and the need for speed, objectivity and for minimizing interference with the experimental animals.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 78 , Issue 1 , February 1972 , pp. 147 - 149
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1972

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

REFERENCES

Allison, A. J. (1968). The influence of live weight on ovulation rate in the ewe. Proc. N. Z. Soc. Anim. Prod. 28, 115–19.Google Scholar
Barton, R. A. & Kirton, A. H. (1958). Carcass weight as an index of carcass components with particular reference to fat. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 50, 331–34.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Coop, I. E. (1962). Liveweight-productivity relationships in sheep. 1. Liveweight and reproduction. N.Z. Jl agric. Res. 5, 249–64.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Edey, T. N. (1968). Bodyweight and ovulation rate in sheep. Proc. Aust. Soc. Anim. Prod. 7, 188–91.Google Scholar
Gunn, R. G., Doney, J. M. & Russel, A. J. F. (1969). Fertility in Scottish Blackface ewes as influenced by nutrition and body condition at mating. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 73, 289–94.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Jefferies, B. C. (1961). Body condition scoring and its use in management. Tasm. J. Agric. 32, 19–21.Google Scholar
Morris, J. G. & Moir, K. W. (1964). Methods of determining the chemical composition of dead animals. In Symposium on Carcase Composition and Appraisal of Meat Animals, ed. Tribe, D. E.. Melbourne, Australia: C.S.I.R.O.Google Scholar
Russel, A. J. F., Doney, J. M. & Gunn, R. G. (1969). Subjective assessment of body fat in live sheep. J. agric. Sci., Camb. 72, 451–54.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Setchell, B. P., Bassett, J. M., Briggs, P. K. & Panaretto, B. A. (1965). Techniques for investigating body growth. In Field Investigations with Sheep – A Manual of Field Techniques, ed. Moule, G. R.. Melbourne, Australia: C.S.I.R.O.Google Scholar
Turner, H. N., Hayman, R. H., Riches, J. H., Roberts, N. F. & Wilson, L. T. (1953). Physical definition of sheep and their fleece for breeding and husbandry studies. Div. Rep. no. 4, Div. Anim. Health Prod., C.S.I.R.O., Australia.Google Scholar
Wallace, L. R. (1961). Flushing of ewes. N.Z. Jl Agric. 83, 377–80.Google Scholar
White, A., Handler, P. & Smith, E. L. (1964). Principles of Biochemistry. London: McGraw-Hill.Google Scholar