Skip to main content
ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Dubois, Idaho » Range Sheep Production Efficiency Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #107499

Title: ECONOMICS OF CALLIPYGE LAMB PRODUCTION

Author
item BUSBOOM, J. - WASH STATE UNIV
item WAHL, T. - WASH STATE UNIV
item Snowder, Gary

Submitted to: Western Section of Animal Science Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/1/1999
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: Busboom, J.R., Wahl, T.I., Snowder, G.D. 1999. Economics of callipyge lamb production. Western Section Proceedings Journal of Animal Science 77(Suppl. 2):243-248.

Interpretive Summary: The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic implications ofproducing lambs which express a dominant gene that enhances muscle growth. The gene is called callipyge (CLPG) and was recently discovered in sheep. The U.S. sheep industry can enhance their profits by raising lambs expressing the CLPG gene because it results in approximately 10% lower feed costs, heavier carcasses with less fat, and higher yields of desirable cuts such as the loin, rack and leg. The packing industry can realize a decrease in processing costs of $.30/kg for CLPG lamb carcasses. The loin and rack muscles from CLPG lambs are less tender than normal lambs but several tenderization procedures exist to improve tenderness of CLPG lamb. Use of moisture-enhancement to tenderize CLPG lamb can result in a 23.4% increase in revenues from the sale of lamb. Industry wide adoption of the CLPG lamb could increase U.S. sheep industry profits by $109 million based on known data. However, other desirable CLPG attributes, such as greater visual appeal, lower fat and cholesterol content, and reduced seam fat, on consumer demand need to be investigated.

Technical Abstract: The objective of this study was to examine the economic implications of callipyge (CLPG) lamb production. The CLPG phenotype does not affect number or weight of lambs weaned or postweaning gain, but is does improve postweaning feed efficiency by approximately 10%; dressing percentage approximately 7.5%; and yields of wholesale leg (11.8%), loin (4.7%), rack (2.5%), and shoulder (2.3%). Total production costs for a 59-kg lamb are 4% lower in CLPG lambs due to improved feed efficiency. Assuming pelt and offal value pays for slaughter costs, the costs of normal (N) and CLPG carcasses are the same as for live lambs, $81 and $78, respectively; but, due to differences in dressing percentage, the N carcass weighs 29.2 kg and the CLPG carcass, 31.4 kg. Thus, carcass costs for N and CLPG lambs are $2.77/kg and $2.29/kg, respectively. Decreased feed costs, combined with increased carcass and primal cut yields for CLPG lambs, lowers the price required to recover meat costs for leg, loin, rack, and shoulder by 19.7, 14.4, 12.6, and 11.9%, respectively. Successful marketing of CLPG loin and rack is dependent on the use of one of several postharvest tenderization procedures. The tenderization process of moisture-enhancement for CLPG lamb can result in a 20.9% reduction in the cost-basis price. When expressed on the basis of increased revenue from The additional yield of cuts at a given market price, the value of CLPG and moisture-enhanced CLPG cuts from a 59-kg lamb would be, respectfully, 14.2% and 23.4% higher than for N lambs. Industry-wide adoption of CLPG could increase U.S. profits by $109 million, but the actual effects of other CLPG attributes, such as visual appeal, lower fat and cholesterol content, and reduced seam fat, on consumer demand need to be quanitfied.