The effect of using complete feed containing protected soybean groats on the carcass production of thin tailed lambs

This study was conducted to determine the effect of using complete feed containing protected soybean groats on fat-tailed lamb carcass production. A total of 9 thin-tailed lambs aged 12 months were divided into 3 groups of ration treatment: the first group only received a 100% complete feed ration (P1), the second group received a 90% complete feed ration, and 10% protected soybean groats (P2), while the third group received 80% complete feed and 20% protected soybean groats (P3). Data were analyzed using a Completely Randomized Design. Differences between treatments were further tested with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test. The results showed that complete feeds containing protected soybean groats on fat-tailed lamb carcass production had no significant effect on carcass weight, carcass percentage, carcass size, percentage of carcass size, meat weight, meat weight percentage, fleshing index, but had a significant effect on carcass production. We concluded that the use of complete feeds containing protected soybean groats increased carcass production of male fat-tailed lamb.

Kondisi Biometrik Kerang Darah, Tegillarca granosa, di Pesisir Pantai Utara Kota Banda Aceh

The blood clam, Tegillarca granosa (Linnaeus, 1758) is one of the economically important aquatic organisms. Therefore, information related to biometric conditions is crucial as preventive and responsive efforts to manage blood clams. This study aims to analyze the biometric condition of blood clams collected from the northern coast of Banda Aceh City. Blood-clam samples were collected from three locations, namely Alue Naga, Tibang, and Deah Raya. A total of 300 blood clams were observed. The biometric parameters included the distribution of length and weight classes, the relationship between length and weight, condition factors, ratios, and correlations between total weight, meat weight, and shell weight were measured. The results showed that the majority of blood clams found in Deah Raya were in the smaller length and weight classes (30-32 mm and 12,25-17,24 g) compared to those found in Alue Naga (33-35 mm and 17,25-22,24 g) and Tibang (42-44 mm and 22,25-27,24 g). Despite having identical growth patterns (negative allometric) and condition-factor values, the blood clams collected from Alue Naga had higher meat weight ratios than those collected from the other two locations. The correlation values between the weight of the meat and the total weight of the blood clams collected from Deah Raya tends to be lower than those of blood clams obtained from Alue Naga and Tibang, which are 0,55; 0,81; and 0,78, respectively. Keywords: biometric, environmental factor, Deah Raya

The Effect of Stocking Density on the Slaughter Performance and Meat Quality of Pekin Ducks

BackgroundThe effect of stocking density on slaughter performance and meat quality were primarily investigated in this research. Pekin ducks were reared until slaughter age (42 days) in three different stocking density groups (three, five and seven ducklings/m2) in four replicate pens. To compare the slaughter performance of the ducklings’ live weight, carcass weight, carcass yield, thigh and breast meat weight and yield, and edible giblets weight (heart, liver and gizzard) were investigated. The meat quality was compared between the treatment groups based on dry matter ratio, cooking loss, water holding capacity, pH values, and colour parameters (L*, a*, b*, c*, h* and ΔE* values). Results Carcass weight, carcass yield, thigh and breast meat weight were found to decrease in parallel to the increasing stocking density, resulting in a reduction in thigh and breast meat weights and ratios (P˂0.05). Increasing the stocking density decreased the heart weight, and positively improved the liver and gizzard ratio (P˂0.05). However, it did not affect the meat quality parameters investigated in this research (P˂0.05). The breast meat of the ducks reared under higher stocking density had higher L*, h* and ΔE* values, lower a* values (P˂0.05), and similar b* and c* values (P˃0.05). ConclusionsEvaluating the overall research findings, it can be concluded that increased stocking density when rearing ducks negatively affects the slaughter performance where affecting only breast meat colour and weight of thigh meat with skin in investigated meat quality parameters. More detailed researches should be undertaken considering welfare and economic issues as well.

Integrative Analysis of Phenomic, Genomic, and Transcriptomic to Identify Potential Functional Genes of Yaks in Plain and Plateau

BackgroundThe yak is an important source of livelihood for the people living in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Most genetics detection studies have focused on the comparison between different tissues of different breeds, both living in the Plateau and in the plains. The genetic background and complex regulatory relationship have frequently puzzled researchers. In this study, we divided a population of 10 yaks into two subgroups, namely Plateau (living in the Plateau) and Plain (living in the plains). Phenomic, genomic, and transcriptomic analyses were used to reveal the molecular genetic type in the body weight, slaughter, and beef quality of yaks.ResultsWe found a significant difference (P <0.01) between the third (60 days), fourth (90 days), fifth (120 days), and sixth (150 days) weights of Plateau and plain subpopulations. The difference in body weight was due to differences in kidney weight, meat weight, fur weight, and head weight. However, the beef quality was not significantly different. We identified 540 Differentially Expressed Genes (DEGs). Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we have constructed a co-express network, and the modules were strongly related to traits. In the genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we detected significant 156, 52, 33, 15, and 3 signals in the meat weight, head weight, fur weight, liver weight, and the last body weight traits. Based on the epigenome-wide association studies (eWAS) results, we created a link relationship between the DEGs expression level and genotype.ConclusionIn summary, our study demonstrated the effectiveness and representative of multidimensional data from a finite number of yak populations. The study highlights the underlying way, as well as a related network, to yield new information on genome genetics and pathogen-host interactions of both the living Plateau and plain yak populations.

VARIOUS METHODS OF CHILLING AND HIGH-VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL STIMULATION APPLIED IN SUSTAINABLE BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

ABSTRACTEntrepreneurs implementing the concept of sustainable development of meat production are highly interested in combining various red meat chilling systems with quality-improving techniques. Therefore, we analyzed the impact of high-voltage electrical stimulation (HVES) and selected chilling methods on changes in quality characteristics and weight loss of beef. We also studied energy consumption based on the heat balance of chilling chambers during the fast chilling of varying amounts of raw material.The HVES and the fast chilling method yielded positive economic (meat weight loss), technological (high quality, hot-boning), energetic (lower electricity consumption), and organizational effects (increased chilling speed, reducing of storage surfaces and expenditures for staff wages) compared to the slow and accelerated methods. Reaching the desired final temperature with an increased amount of chilled meat enabled a few-fold reduction in the total heat collected from the chambers and in meat weight loss. This allows recommending the above actions to be undertaken by entrepreneurs in the pursuit of sustainable meat production.

Quantitative Detection of Beef and Beef Meat Products Adulteration by the Addition of Duck Meat Using Micro Drop Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction

A single-copy specific primer was designed based on beef and duck samples and through drop digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) for the quantitative analysis. Results revealed that the primers had no specific amplification with sheep, chicken, pork, or other species. Both the relationships between meat weight and DNA weight and between DNA weight and DNA copy number (C) were nearly linear within the dynamic range. To calculate the original meat weight from the DNA copy number, the DNA weight was used as the intermediate value to establish the following formulae: Mbeef = 0.058C − 1.86; Mduck = 0.0268C − 7.78. To achieve a good quantitative analysis, all species used in the experiment were made of lean meat. The accuracy of the method was verified by artificial adulteration of different proportions. Testing of the commercial samples indicated that adulteration is present in the market. The established digital PCR method provided an effective tool for monitoring the adulterated meat products and reducing the adulteration in the market.

Body weight, body measurements and slaughter characteristics of Madura cattle raised in Pamekasan District, East Java Province, Indonesia

Prihandini PW, Maharani D, Sumadi. 2020. Body weight, body measurements, and slaughter characteristics of Madura cattle raised in Pamekasan District, East Java Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 3415-3421. This study was designed to analyze the body weight, body measurements and slaughter characteristics of Madura cattle raised in Pamekasan district, East Java province, Indonesia. A total of 2,373 records on live body weight and body measurements (body length, height at withers and chest girth), and 69 records on slaughter traits (slaughter, carcass, and meat weight, as well as carcass and meat percentage) from both sexes were used. Sampled animals were divided into three groups based on age (calf: 0- to10-month-old; young: 11- to 24-month-old; adult: >24-month-old). The data were analyzed using independent sample t-test to assess significant differences between sex groups and subjected to multiple linear regression analyses to obtain prediction equations of body weight from body measurements, carcass weight from slaughter weight, and meat weight from slaughter- and carcass-weight. Results showed that body weight, height at withers, and chest girth between male and female cattle in all age groups were significantly different (P<0.05). Male cattle showed higher slaughter weight, carcass weight and carcass percentage mean values than female cattle. Body measurements showed high correlation with body weight (r ≥0.80). Height at withers, body length, and chest girth represented good body measurements to predict body weight (R2 = from 0.65 to 0.83). Moreover, as observed, high correlations between slaughter weight and carcass- (r = 0.94; R2 = 0.89) and meat-weight (r = 0.99; R2 = 0.98) would imply that meat weight could be predicted accurately from slaughter- and carcass-weight.

Performance of broilers and layers supplemented with Moringa stenopetala leaf meal under hot humid tropical conditions

Context Heat stress poses a major limit to poultry production. Moringa stenopetala leaf meal (MSL) could be a promising feed additive for poultry raised under heat stress, as it is rich in antioxidants. Aims To determine the effect of (MSL) supplementation on the production and quality of broilers under heat-stress conditions. Methods In the broiler performance trial, 156 1-day old Cobb 500 broilers were assigned to four groups, with each containing three replicates of 13 chicks. For the egg production trial, 108 Bovan Brown layers aged 20 weeks were allocated to four groups, with each containing three replicates of nine hens. The four groups of broiler and layer chicken were supplemented with MSL at a level of 0% (control), 1% (MSL1), 1.5% (MSL1.5) and 2% (MSL2). Relative humidity, and minimum and maximum temperatures were 82%, 13°C and 23°C respectively. The effects of MSL supplementation on growth performance, characteristics of digestive organs, carcass traits, egg production and egg quality were analysed with one-way ANOVA. Key results Moringa stenopetala-leaf supplementation at a level up to 2% (MSL2) did not significantly affect feed intake, weight gain or feed conversion ratio of the birds. Supplemented broilers had a significantly longer large intestine (24% for MSL1, 37% for MSL1.5 and 49% for MSL2) and a heavier pancreas (82% for MSL1, 67% for MSL1.5, and 57% for MSL2) than did the control broilers. Hot and cold carcass weights, dressing yield, dressing percentage, breast-meat weight, drumstick and thigh-meat weights, wing-meat weight, back weight and meat pH were not significantly affected by MSL supplementation. Ash content of meat of the MSL2-fed birds was significantly higher than that of the control birds (3.51% vs 2.74% respectively). Egg production, feed conversion ratio and interior and exterior egg-quality parameters were not significantly affected by MSL supplementation. Intensity of yolk colour was significantly and linearly enhanced due to MSL supplementation (by ~5–8 times compared with the control). Conclusions Supplementation with MSL at a level up to 2% improved yolk colour of Bovan Brown layer eggs, with no effect on meat and egg production. Implications Yolk colour of eggs of layers raised under heat stress can be improved by MSL supplementation at 1%, with there being a minimum increase in the diet cost.

Association of polymorphisms in the GH and GHR genes with growth and carcass traits in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

In rabbits, growth and carcass traits are important for the breeding programme. An increasing number of annotated polymorphisms demands validation of their influence on those traits before they can be implemented in breeding practice. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate GH c.-78C&gt;T, GHR c.106G&gt;C polymorphisms in the population of Belgian Giant Grey, Termond White, and a crossbreed between New Zealand White and Belgian Giant Grey (NZW × BGG) rabbits. In total 379 animals were genotyped and association analyses with growth traits and carcass traits were conducted. Our results demonstrated that GH c.-78C&gt;T showed an association with growth weight in Belgian Grey and NZW × BGG rabbits. Meat weight in intermediate and hind parts for GH c.-78C&gt;T statistically differed between Belgian Giant Grey and crossbred rabbits. GHR c.106G&gt;C showed an association with meat weight in the intermediate part and dressing percentage in Termond White. TT/CC haplotype in Belgian Giant Grey had significantly higher meat weight in hind part, while in crossbred rabbits CC/CC haplotype was characterised by the lowest meat weight in intermediate and hind parts. Results from our study confirm that GH c.-78C&gt;T, GHR c.106G&gt;C polymorphisms constitute good molecular markers for growth and carcass traits.