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Title: Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC-Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams as terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system: V. Postfabrication carcass component weights

Author
item Mousel, Michelle
item NOTTER, DAVID - Virginia Polytechnic Institution & State University
item Leeds, Timothy - Tim
item ZERBY, HENRY - The Ohio State University
item MOELLER, STEVEN - The Ohio State University
item Lewis, Gregory

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/4/2013
Publication Date: 3/5/2013
Citation: Mousel, M.R., Notter, D.R., Leeds, T.D., Zerby, H.N., Moeller, S.J., Lewis, G.S. 2013. Evaluation of Columbia, USMARC-Composite, Suffolk, and Texel rams as terminal sires in an extensive rangeland production system: IV. Postfabrication carcass component weights. Journal of Animal Science. 91(5):2021-2033.

Interpretive Summary: Modern genetic technologies can be used to enhance the inherent abilities of lambs to convert livestock feed into human foods. Enhancing these inherent abilities would allow producers to conserve feed and natural resources, improve the value of their market lambs, and increase the efficiency of producing human foods. Thus, genetics studies are underway at the USDA, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Sheep Experiment Station to characterize the effects of breed, which is composed of animals with common ancestors and certain distinguishable characteristics, including genetic makeup, of sire on various aspects of growth and carcass merit of lambs. Recent results from these studies indicate that breed of sire has important and predictable effects on lamb carcass wholesale and retail cuts. Sheep producers can use this information to select sire breeds to make significant improvements in the efficiency of producing human foods.

Technical Abstract: Postfabrication carcass component weights of 517 crossbred wether lambs were analyzed to evaluate 4 terminal-sire breeds. Wethers were produced over 3 yr from single-sire matings of 22 Columbia, 22 USMARC-Composite (Composite), 21 Suffolk, and 17 Texel rams to adult Rambouillet ewes. Lambs were raised to weaning in an extensive western rangeland production system and finished in a feedlot on a high-energy finishing diet. Wethers were randomly assigned to be harvested at an average BW of 54.4, 61.2, or 68.0 kg and then transported to The Ohio State University abattoir for harvest. After an approximately 24-h chill, chilled carcass weight (CCW) was measured, carcasses were fabricated according to Style A of Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications, and postfabrication weights were measured. At comparable numbers of days on feed, Suffolk-sired lambs had heavier (P < 0.04) neck, breast, shoulder, foreshank, rack, loin, leg, sirloin, roast-ready rack, trimmed loin, and boneless leg weights than progeny of the other sire breeds. Boneless sirloins were heavier (P < 0.01) for Suffolk-sired than Composite-sired lambs but, these weights did not differ from those for Columbia- or Texel-sired lambs. Columbia- and Suffolk-sired lambs had heavier (P < 0.01) hindshanks than Texel-sired lambs. Suffolk-sired lambs had heavier (P < 0.01) high-value cuts (rack, loin, leg, and sirloin) and trimmed high-value cuts than lambs sired by the other sire breeds. Cutting loss (CCW - wholesale cut weights) and high-value trimming loss were greatest (P < 0.02) in Suffolk-sired lambs and least in Texel- and Composite-sired lambs. Sire breed did not affect (P > 0.06) flank weight. Data adjusted to comparable CCW reduced the number of significant sire-breed effects and changed sire-breed rankings of carcass component weights, for which sire breeds differed. After adjusting, Suffolk-sired lambs had lighter (P < 0.05) loins than Columbia- and Composite-sired lambs; Composite-sired lambs had heavier (P < 0.05) high-value cuts than Suffolk-sired lambs; and Suffolk- and Columbia-sired lambs had heavier (P < 0.05) necks than Texel-sired lambs. At predicted backfat thickness of 6.6 mm, Composite-sired lambs had a greater (P < 0.05) percentage of high-value cuts than Suffolk-sired lambs before, but not after, trimming. Producers can use these results to select terminal-sire sheep breeds that will complement their production system and improve lamb value.