Please cite this article in press as: Ricardo, H.A., et al., Carcass traits and meat quality differences between a traditional and an intensive production model of market lambs in Brazil: Preliminary investigation. Small Ruminant Res. (2015), http://dx. a b s t r a c tThe objective of this study was to determine the differences of carcass traits and meat quality of market lambs between a traditional and an intensive production model. Eighty lambs were obtained from four commercial farms. At the Traditional model 20 lambs were Dorper × Santa Inês and 20 Ile de France. Farms from intensive model provided 20 Texel lambs and 20 Dorper × Santa Inês lambs. Animals from intensive model had access to creep feeding until weaning and were fed with a total mixed ration with 90% of concentrate at the finishing. The intensive model provided higher loin eye area and fat thickness, and lower shear force of the loin (P < 0.0001). The Traditional model presented higher rate of polyunsaturated fatty acids (P < 0.01) and lower 6:3 rate (P < 0.0001). The loin of the animals from the intensive model presented more intense aroma and taste and higher juiciness and chewiness (P < 0.05). The intensive model produced carcasses with better conformation and fatness and soft meat with better color, taste and texture.

This study aimed to assess and compare the non-carcass components, carcass measurements and meat cut production of Pantaneiro (P) sheep and their Texel (TP) and Santa Inês (SIP) crossbreds. Ninety-six lambs, of which 51 were male and 45 were female, with a mean weaning weight of 15.21 ± 1.25 kg and age of 78 ± 13 days were slaughtered at 32 kg of body weight. TP lambs had greater leg compactness and weight and percentage of pelt, whereas genotypes (G) P and SIP had higher carcass depth. P and SIP females had weights omental fat percentages that were superior to the other animals, whereas SIP females had higher mesenteric fat. TP males had higher production of white viscera. There was no effect of sex, G or interaction for production and percentage of all meat cuts. Pantaneiro lambs and their crosses with meat breeds could be useful in meat production systems under Savannah environmental conditions.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance, feeding behavior, carcass traits, and meat quality of feedlot lambs using 2 types of silage, sorghum or soybean. Twenty-eight male non-castrated market lambs weighting 20 ± 2 kg were used. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric. The animals were slaughtered after 50 days of experiment, with 32.13 ± 5.09 kg of body weight. Lambs fed with soybean silage showed increased time for feed intake (P = 0.01). There was no difference for allowed daily gain, dry matter intake, feed conversion, and carcass traits between diets. Meat from lambs fed with soybean silage showed decreased shear force (P = 0.001) compared to sorghum silage, with no differences (P > 0.05) for chemical composition, color, and cooking loss. The intake of sorghum silage increased (P < 0.05) C6:0, C16:0, C20:0, C14:1, and C16:1 fatty acids content of Longissimus lumborum intramuscular fat. The intake of soybean silage showed an increased (P < 0.05) content of C18:1ω9t, C18:2ω6c, and sum of ω6 fatty acids. The feed cost and profit from the use of sorghum and soybean silage were US$ 0.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutrient intake and performance of feedlot lambs using 2 roughage to concentrate ratios and 2 types of soybean, whole (WS) or thermally processed (PS). Twenty male noncastrated market lambs weighting 23.26 ± 2.18 kg were used. The design was completely randomized in a factorial arrangement of 2 × 2. Diets were formulated with 50:50 and 20:80 of roughage to concentrate ratio on DM, and the thermal processing was realized in an autoclave at 120°C during 1 h. The end of the experimental period was determined by animal BCS, that is, the animals were slaughtered with a BCS between 3 and 3.5. The animals fed with 50% of roughage spent more time consuming feed (P < 0.01) and ruminating (P < 0.01). Thermally processed soybean provided more time consuming (P < 0.05) and less leisure time (P < 0.05) compared with WS. Diet with 20% of roughage provided increased ADG (P < 0.01) and better feed conversion (FC; P < 0.01). The utilization of PS resulted in decreased feedlot period (FP; P< 0.01), increased ADG (P < 0.05), decreased DMI (P < 0.01), and consequently better FC (P < 0.01). Diet with PS decreased the intake of ADF (P < 0.01). There was interaction between the roughage to concentrate ratio and soybean, wherein the diet with 50% of roughage and WS provided increased intake of NDF (P < 0.05). The use of thermally processed soybean provided better performance of lambs, and when this feed is associated with higher concentrate proportion, it reduces the intake of fibrous fraction of the diet.

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