Influence of lamb finishing system on animal performance and meat quality

This study aimed to assess the influence of lamb finishing systems on zootechnical performance, as well as on carcass and meat quality. The experiment was conducted at the APTA’s experimental farm. Thirty-three lambs were used – both sexes, initial age of 90 ± 3 days, Texel with Santa Inês, each animal being one experimental unit, with 6 males and 5 females per treatment. Treatments consisted of: lambs finished on pasture, in semi-feedlot or in feedlot. The lambs were slaughtered with average live weight of 35 kg. Weight gain and carcass measures were taken by ultrasound. After slaughter, carcass conformation and yield, pH, temperature, color, water retention capacity and tenderness were measured. Animals finished on pasture had lower weight gain, were slaughtered at an older age, with lighter carcass weight, smaller loin area, lower shank compactness index, besides lighter shoulder and shank weights, compared to the other production systems (p < 0.05). There was no difference between the semi-feedlot and the feedlot systems for the assessed characteristics. In conclusion, production systems affect animal performance, as well as carcass and meat quality, especially when it comes to important production aspects, such as slaughter age and yield of premium cuts.

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Comparison of a Plantain-Chicory Mixture with a Grass Permanent Sward on the Live Weight Gain and Meat Quality of Lambs

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10122275 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (12) ◽

pp. 2275

Author(s):

Romina Rodríguez ◽

Oscar Balocchi ◽

Daniel Alomar ◽

Rodrigo Morales

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Production Systems ◽

Live Weight ◽

Temperate Grasslands ◽

Live Weight Gain ◽

Final Weight ◽

Sheep Production

Under the predicted conditions of climate change, the productivity of temperate grasslands may be affected by drought stress, especially in spring and summer. In this scenario, water-deficit-tolerant species such as plantain and chicory are interesting alternatives for use in sheep production systems. In this study, we compared a mixture of plantain and chicory herbage (PCH) with a grass-based permanent sward (GBS) on the weight gain and meat quality of lambs finished on these grasslands. Fifteen weaned lambs (31.3 kg and 4 months of age) were assigned to each treatment for seven weeks in late spring and live weight gain (LWG), carcass and meat quality were evaluated. There was a tendency (p = 0.09) in final weight (40.3 ± 0.8 kg) and live weight gain (173 ± 10 g/d) to be higher in PCH compared to GBS. Carcass weight, dressing percentage and meat quality in terms of pH, color and tenderness did not differ (p > 0.05) and were considered to be of good quality. We concluded that both swards result in comparable lamb performance and good meat quality.

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Carcass characteristics and meat quality attributes in lambs reared indoors, on cultivated pasture, or on semi-natural pasture

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.23986/afsci.91706 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 29 (5) ◽

Author(s):

Elin Stenberg ◽

Anders Karlsson ◽

Camilla Öghren ◽

Katarina Arvidsson Segerkvist

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Production System ◽

Production Systems ◽

Live Weight ◽

Intact Male ◽

Live Weight Gain ◽

Group 4 ◽

Natural Pasture ◽

Group 1

This study evaluated the effects of different lamb production systems on live weight gain (LWG), carcass quality and meat quality. Four production systems for weaned intact male lambs were examined: indoor feeding with grass silage and concentrate (group 1), grazing on cultivated pasture with (group 2) or without (group 3) concentrate, and grazing on semi-natural pasture (group 4). Live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass conformation, fatness and pH decline were recorded at slaughter, and M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum was analysed for colour, thawing and cooking loss, pH after 24 hours and 6 days, and Warner-Bratzler shear force. LWG was strongly affected by production system, being highest for group 1 and lowest for group 4 (p<0.001). Group 4 had the lowest conformation (p=0.002) and fat scores (p<0.001). Hence, production system affected age at slaughter, live weight gain, weight at slaughter, carcass conformation and fatness scores, but caused no differences in meat quality attributes in intact male lambs.

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Performance and intestinal development of chicks submitted to different rations and different types of incubation

Medicina Veterinária (UFRPE) ◽

10.26605/medvet-v15n2-4399 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 154-161

Author(s):

Eliete Souza Santana ◽

José Neto Cassiano de Camargo ◽

Michele Laboissière ◽

Roberto Moraes Jardim Filho

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Feed Intake ◽

Block Design ◽

Phase 1 ◽

Live Weight ◽

Experimental Unit ◽

Average Weight ◽

Intestinal Development ◽

Feed Conversion ◽

Feed Processing

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effects of two types of incubation and two types of feeding on the performance of chickens and intestinal development of chicks during the pre-starter phase (1 to 7 days of age). One-year-old male Ross® chicks were used. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design, in a 2x2 factorial design, with two types of feed processing (bran and micropelleted) and two types of incubation machines (single and multiple stage), totaling four treatments, with four treatment repetitions each. Twelve birds per experimental unit were used, totaling 192 animals. Performance evaluations were conducted, such as mean weight, weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion, bowel weight and size, and percentage of intestine in relation to live weight. Histomorphometric tests on the height of the villi and depth of the duodenal crypts were also performed. The two incubation machines did not influence any of the analyzed variables. Even though both had the same composition, the micropelleted feed resulted in positive gains for the performance variables: average weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion when compared to the meal, but was unable to significantly influence the morphometric measurements of the duodenum of chicks in the pre-starter phase.

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Characterization, agricultural potential, and perspectives for the management of light soils in Brazil

Pesquisa Agropecuária Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0100-204x2016000900001 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 51 (9) ◽

pp. 1003-1020 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Guilherme Kangussu Donagemma ◽

Pedro Luiz de Freitas ◽

Fabiano de Carvalho Balieiro ◽

Ademir Fontana ◽

Silvio Túlio Spera ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cover Crops ◽

Production Systems ◽

Sandy Loam ◽

Soil Depth ◽

Clay Fraction ◽

Fine Sand ◽

Water Retention Capacity ◽

Retention Capacity ◽

Agricultural Frontier ◽

Agricultural Potential

Abstract Light soils occupy 8% of the Brazilian territory and are especially expressive in the new and last agricultural frontier in Brazil: the Matopiba region - in the states of Maranhão, Tocantins, Piauí, and Bahia -, where they represent 20% of the area. These soils fit into the textural classes of sand and loamy sand or sandy loam, down to 0.75-m soil depth or deeper, and they are mainly represented by Neossolos Quartzarênicos (Quartzipsamments) and, partly, by Latossolos (Oxisols) and Argissolos (Ultisols). The understanding of soil functioning depends on the establishment of distinguishing criteria for: organic matter dynamics; content and mineralogy of the clay fraction; coarse sand and total sand contents, in relation to those of fine sand; mean diameter of the sand fraction; and water retention capacity. These criteria can contribute for the zoning and for the conservation and fertility management of light soils, as well as for the estimation of their agricultural potential. Integrated production systems, such as crop-livestock and crop-livestock-forestry integration, besides no-tillage with crop rotation, mixed forestry planting with legumes, and the use of green manure and cover crops are relevant for the proper management of these soils. The objective of this review was to characterize light soils and to highlight the main challenges regarding their agricultural potential and their conservation and fertility managements, in face of the expansion and consolidation of the new Brazilian agricultural frontier.

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Social Behavior and Productive and Stress Parameters in Holstein Steers Fattened in Three Contrasting Production Systems

Journal of Agricultural Science ◽

10.5539/jas.v9n5p54 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 54 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Oscar Blumetto ◽

Andrea Ruggia ◽

Jessica T. Morales Pyñeyrúa ◽

Aranzazu Villagrá García

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Social Behavior ◽

Animal Welfare ◽

Agonistic Behavior ◽

Production Systems ◽

Live Weight ◽

Pastoral System ◽

Young Males ◽

Productive Systems ◽

Stress Parameters

Beef production with Holstein male calves is becoming more intensive in Uruguay. Some of the new systems with confined animals could improve productivity but also could compromise animal welfare. The aim of this study was to compare animal welfare, stress evidence and productivity of castrated young males reared in three different productive systems. The traditional pastoral system (T3) was compared with, a confined fattening system (T1) and an alternative one with confinement and six hours diary access to pastures (T2). The experiment was performed for evaluating the first phase of fattening period (initial mean live weight 93±20.3 kg; and 112±11 days of age). No differences (p = 0.1254) between treatments were detected for live weight gain 0.756±0.829, 0.757±0.676 and 0.730±0.762 kg day-1 for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. There was no evidences of increasing stress or health problems in any production system, according to the obtained serum profile of enzymes and hormones, however permanent confined animals increased agonistic behavior, which could reflect some welfare problems that might increase in the following phases of the fattening process.

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A comparison of Canadian Holstein and British Friesian steers for the production of beef from an 18-month grass/cereal system

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100023035 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 28 (1) ◽

pp. 41-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

K. N. Cook ◽

Jennifer M. Newton

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Live Weight ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Eye Muscle ◽

Live Weight Gain ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Slaughter Age

ABSTRACTThe trial compared 50 purebred Canadian Holstein and 46 British Friesian steers. The cattle were reared on a grass/cereal system designed to achieve an overall target live-weight gain of 0·82 kg per day from weaning to slaughter at 18 months of age. The cattle, born i n September 1973, grazed during the summer of 1974 and were slaughtered out of yards from January to July 1975. Equal numbers of each breed were allocated at random to three slaughter weights (477, 500 and 523 kg live weight). The Meat and Livestock Commission measured and classified all carcasses. In addition, a sample was cut according to commercial specifications. There were no significant differences in slaughter age or live-weight gain between the breeds. A significant difference (P < 0·05) in killing-out percentage was found in favour of the British Friesian as was a small (4%) but highly significant difference (P < 0·001) in carcass gain.The Canadian Holstein carcasses were considerably longer (P < 0·001) with less eye-muscle area (P < 0·001). The British Friesian carcasses contained 0·7% more saleable meat (P < 0·001) and 1% less bone (P < 0·01). There were no significant differences in fat trim. There were large differences in live appearance and carcass classifications, the British Friesians being of superior beef conformation.

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Animal performance, production, and quality of Tanzania grass fertilized with nitrogen

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2017v38n6p3861 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 38 (6) ◽

pp. 3861 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Ulysses Cecato ◽

Josmar Almeida Junior ◽

Fabíola Cristine de Almeida Rego ◽

Sandra Galbeiro ◽

Wagner Paris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Chemical Composition ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Average Daily Gain ◽

Live Weight ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Stocking Rate ◽

Animal Performance ◽

Live Weight Gain ◽

Daily Gain

This study aimed to assess forage production, animal performance, and the chemical composition of Tanzania grass pasture fertilized with 50, 100, 200, and 400 kg ha-1 of nitrogen. The variables analyzed were: leaf mass, daily accumulation rate, leaf/stem ratio, average daily gain, stocking rate, live weight gain per unit of area crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and in vitro dry matter digestibility of leaves. The pasture management maintained the pasture height at 50 cm by using a continuous grazing method with the adjustment of stocking rate. The experimental design was a randomized block with three replicates. The leaf mass increased linearly in response to nitrogen, with an increase of 1003 kg (34%) observed between a nitrogen content of 50 and 400 kg ha-1. Nitrogen did not affect the average daily gain, but increased the stocking rate and live weight gain ha-1. The value of crude protein and neutral detergent fiber were higher with increased nitrogen levels, whereas the leaf digestibility did not affect nitrogen use. The comparison of 50 and 400 kg ha-1 levels indicated that there was an average increase of 19.2% in the leaf crude protein. The increased application of nitrogen fertilizer in Tanzania grass improved the chemical composition and animal performance; with regard to studied variables, the dose of 200 kg ha-1 resulted in the greatest improvement.

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Studies on Belgian Pietrain pigs 2. A comparison of growth and carcass characteristics of Pietrain used in three breed crosses with Landrace, Large White and Hampshire breeds

Animal Science ◽

10.1017/s0003356100011168 ◽

1972 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 11-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

M. K. Curran ◽

I. J. Lean ◽

J. E. Duckworth ◽

W. Holmes

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Live Weight ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Unit Weight ◽

Large White ◽

Lean Meat ◽

Live Weight Gain ◽

Breed Crosses

SUMMARY1. The growth, feed consumption per unit weight gain, carcass characteristics and some aspects of meat quality were studied in two trials with crosses derived from Landrace (L), Pietrain (P), Hampshire (H) and Large White (LW) breeds.2. In Trial 1, 96 pigs of both pure Landrace and LW(× (L♀ × P♂)♂ origin were studied up to slaughter weights of 64 and 91 kg live weight. In Trial 2, Landrace, LW♀ × (L♀ × P♂)♂ and LW ♂x (P♀x L♂)♂, (H♀ × P♂ × L♂ and (H♀ × P♂)♀ × LW♂ pigs were compared up to 91 kg live weight using 48 pigs of each type.3. All crossbred types showed better economy of production than Landrace when assessed by live-weight gain and feed consumption per unit weight gain. Their carcasses contained greater quantities of lean meat and similar quantities of rind, bone and fat than Landrace at comparable weights, but they exhibited a variable tendency to poorer meat quality. LW × (L × P) and LW × (P × L) carcasses at 91 kg live weight were shorter than Landrace; 4% and 14% of pigs in trials 1 and 2 respectively were less than the currently acceptable length of bacon pigs (775 mm). (H × P) × LW and (H×P)×L carcasses at this weight were much shorter; 34% and 38% respectively were less than 775 mm.

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The evaluation of growth and selected carcass and meat quality parameters in fattening bulls fed a diet based on concentrates or maize silage

Czech Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.17221/334-cjas ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 53 (No. 9) ◽

pp. 368-376 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

E. Štercová ◽

A. Krása ◽

R. Lepková ◽

J. Šterc

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Meat Quality ◽

Live Weight ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Diet Group ◽

Daily Weight Gain ◽

Control Group ◽

Average Daily Weight Gain ◽

Maize Silage ◽

The Mean

The aim of the study was to evaluate the growth rate and selected carcass and meat quality parameters in bulls fed a high-grain diet and to compare the results with those obtained in bulls fed a diet based on preserved roughage. The trial included 18 Czech-Pied bulls fed a diet with a high proportion of concentrated feed and 18 Czech-Pied bulls fed a diet based on maize silage, used as a control group. The trial was launched after the weaning of calves. During the fattening period, live weight and average daily weight gain were monitored. The bulls were slaughtered at the live weight of 550–600 kg, the mean age at slaughter was 473 days for the high-grain diet group and 474 days for the control group. The carcasses were classified to SEUROP quality grades, and carcass gain and dressing percentage were calculated. Samples of <I>m. longissimus pars thoracis</I> were taken from five bulls in each group to examine selected meat quality parameters. In the period from weaning to slaughter the high-grain diet bulls and the control bulls achieved the average daily weight gain of 1.29 kg and 1.21 kg, respectively. Differences between the groups were not significant. The high-grain diet group showed higher average carcass weight and higher carcass weight gain, differences between the groups were not significant, either. As to meat quality parameters under study, a significant difference was found only in meat lightness (L*), with the mean value in the high-grain diet group being significantly (<I>P</I> ≤ 0.01) lower than in the control group. The other meat quality parameters did not show any significant differences between the groups. In this study, the high-grain diet gave similar performance as the maize silage-based diet in fattening bulls. The high-grain diet group and control group showed comparable average daily weight gain and selected carcass and meat quality parameters.

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Estimation of optimum slaughter age in broiler chicks

Indian Journal of Animal Research ◽

10.18805/ijar.8430 ◽

2016 ◽

Author(s):

Hasan Cicek ◽

Murat Tandogan

Keyword(s):

Weight Gain ◽

Live Weight ◽

Decisive Role ◽

Feed Consumption ◽

Broiler Chicks ◽

Mathematical Function ◽

Net Income ◽

Broiler Meat ◽

Live Weight Gain ◽

Slaughter Age

In this study, optimum slaughter age of the commercial broilers was estimated regarding maximum net income. Study materials were average target performance (live weight gain and feed consumption) of Cobb 500 and Ross 308 commercial hybrids, prices of feed, chicks and broiler meat. The optimum slaughter age was estimated by a mathematical function (y = f (x) = a+bx-cx2) that reflects the quadratic (parabolic) relationship. According to this function, the optimum slaughter age was calculated as 5.62 weeks (39.34 days). As a result, it can be said that genetic improvement positively affects the correlation between live weight gain and feed consumption of broilers. However, prices of feed, chicks, and broiler meat have more decisive role on slaughter age.

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