Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-t7czq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T22:24:22.127Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Evaluation of the ability of two carcass conformation systems to predict carcass composition of sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. J. Bass
Affiliation:
Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Private Bag, Hamilton, New Zealand
W. D. Carter
Affiliation:
Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Private Bag, Hamilton, New Zealand
E. G. Woods
Affiliation:
Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Private Bag, Hamilton, New Zealand
R. W. Moore
Affiliation:
Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Private Bag, Hamilton, New Zealand

Summary

Conformation of carcasses from 107 Romney ewe lambs was determined using two visual scoring systems and the scores related to chemical and dissected carcass composition. The conformation system which evaluated the lateral profile of the hind leg failed to improve the prediction of carcass composition. The Meat and Livestock Commission system used in Great Britain separated carcasses on weight and fatness, the higher classes having the heaviest and fattest carcasses. After adjustment for carcass weight and fatness the higher conformation classes had the lightest bones and the heaviest weight of muscle, and some of the muscles weighed were shorter and deeper than those of the lower conformation classes.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1984

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

Barton, R. A. (1967). The relation between live animal conformation and the carcass of cattle. Animal Breeding Abstracts 35, 122.Google Scholar
Bass, J. J.Johnson, D. L., Colomer-Rocher, F. & Binks, G. (1981). Prediction of carcass composition from carcass conformation in cattle. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 97, 3744.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Berg, R. T. & Butterfield, R. M. (1976). Methods of measuring and predicting carcass composition. In New Concepts of Cattle Growth, pp. 201226. Sydney: Sydney University Press.Google Scholar
Boccard, R., Dumont, B. L., Le Guelte, P. & Arnoux, J. (1961). Etude de la production de la viande chez les ovins. Annales Zootechnie 10, 155160.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Colomer-Rocher, F., Bass, J. J., & Johnson, D. L. (1980). Beef carcass conformation and some relationships with carcass composition and muscle dimensions. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 94, 697708.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
De Boer, H., Dumont, B. L., Pomeroy, R. W. & Weniger, T. H. (1974). Manual on E.A.A.P. reference methods for the assessment of carcass characteristics in cattle. Livestock Production Science 1, 151164.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kempster, A. J., Avis, P. R. D., Cuthbertson, A. & Harrington, G. (1976). Production of the lean content of lamb carcasses of different breed types. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 86, 2334.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kempster, A. J., Croston, D. & Jones, D. W. (1981). Value of conformation as an indicator of sheep carcass composition within and between breeds. Animal Production 33, 3949.Google Scholar
Kempster, A. J. & Cuthbertson, A. (1977). A survey of the carcass characteristics of the main types of British lamb. Animal Production 25, 165179.Google Scholar
Kempster, A. J., Cuthbertson, A. & Harrington, G. (1982). The relationship between conformation and the yield and distribution of lean meat in the carcasses of British pigs, cattle and sheep: a review. Meat Science 6, 3753.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Kirton, A. H. (1964). How important is conformation? Proceedings Ruakura Farmers' Conference pp. 1124.Google Scholar
Kirton, A. H. (1966). Meat grading standards and market requirements. Proceedings Ruakura Farmers' Conference, pp. 618.Google Scholar
Kirton, A. H., Barton, R. A. & Rae, A. L. (1962). The efficiency of determining the chemical composition of lamb carcasses. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 58, 381386.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kirton, A. H. & Pickering, F. S. (1967). Factors associated with differences in carcass conformation in lamb. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research 10, 183200.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Meat and Livestock Commission (1976). Sheep Carcass Classification Scheme, Conformation Scale. Bletchley, Bucks, U.K.: Meat and Livestock Commission.Google Scholar
Palsson, H. (1939). Meat qualities in the sheep with special reference to Scottish breeds and crosses. I. Journal of Agricultural Science, Cambridge 29, 544626.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Preston, T. R. & Willis, M. B. (1970). Carcass evaluation. In Intensive Beef Production, pp. 7982. Oxford: Pergamon Press.Google Scholar
Timon, V. M. & Bichard, M. (1965). Quantitative estimates of lamb carcass composition. Animal Production 7, 189201.Google Scholar