Effects of different energy source diets, as corn substitutes, on carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot lambs

This study evaluated the effects of different energy sources, as corn substitutes, on the carcass characteristics and meat quality of lambs. Twenty-four intact ram lambs were identified, weighed, and assigned to one of four dietary treatments: corn, citrus pulp, rice bran, and soybean hulls. The ram lambs were confined in feedlots, and when they reached 30 kg of live weight, they were slaughtered. A completelyrandomized design with different replicates was used for the analysis, along with the Tukey-5% test. For hot and cold carcass weight, rice bran produced lower values than the other dietary treatments. For the red color content of the meat, citrus pulp presented superior values when compared to corn, whereas meat and fat color, loin eye area, and objective tenderness did not differ between treatments. Different energetic sources used to replace corn in ram lambs finishing diets did not affect the proximate composition and quality of the meat. Highlights: • Addition of rice bran to the lambs' diet resulted in lower hot and cold carcass weight.• Animals fed soybean hulls presented the highest carcass compactness index values.• Rice bran extended the feedlot period of lambs in 59.33 days, been longer than the others energies sources.• Corn, rice bran, citrus pulp and soybean hulls did not change the quality of meat but the inclusion of rice bran should be carefully evaluated.

Comparative assessment of economically valuable traits of semi-coarse hair and coarse-hair sheep in Republic of Tuva

In Republic of Tuva sheep breeding is a leading branch of animal husbandry. According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the number of sheep is 980 thousand heads at the 1st of January 2021. Among them the percentage of Tuva-Saraja coarse-hair hybrids is more than 60%. The purpose of the work is to study economically valuable traits of Tuva-Saraja sheep of a new type in comparison with Tuva coarse-hair short-fat tailed sheep. For comparative assessment of live weight, dirty wool clip and length of wool according to the method of random sample, out of the herd there were selected 30 heads of ram lambs yearlings and 30 heads of ewe lambs yearlings of Tuva-Saraja semi-coarse-hair sheep of new type and Tuva coarse-hair short-fat tailed sheep. The results of research have shown, that rams and ewes yearlings of Tuva-Saraja semi-coarse-hair breed of new type significantly differ in size and wool productivity. They predominate over the lambs of the same age of Tuva coarse-hair short-fat tailed in live weight by 3.2-3.4 kg (9,7-10.2 %) statistically more, than Tuva coarse-hair short-fat tailed of the same age. The longest wool was recorded in rams yearlings of new type, with underwool of 7.8 cm that exceeded the length of underwool of Tuva ram lambs yearlings by 1.3 cm or 20.0 %, the top hair was 14.4 cm and exceeded the same index in analogues by 3,4 cm or 30.9 %. Tuva coarse-hair ewe lambs yearlings gave way to the semi-coarse-hair ewes of new type in the length of underwool and top hair. Thus, the rams and ewes yearlings semi-coarse-hair ewes of new type considerably differ in live weight, dirty wool clip and length of wool in comparison with Tuva coarse-hair short-fat tailed of the same age.

PSXI-27 Comparison of live weight, backfat depth, and loin eye muscle measurements in ewe and ram lambs

Application of ultrasound carcass trait scanning in meat animals enhances the selection efficiency and accuracy. One hundred and sixty-two mixed age Katahdin ewes were selected based on ultrasound carcass traits and bred in a high lean muscle selection (n=81) and control (n=81) flocks, respectively in December 2019. Carcass traits including loin eye area (LEA), loin eye muscle width (LEW) and depth (LED), and back-fat depth (BFD) were measured for sires, dams, and their progeny lambs. Birth weight (BW), rearing rank, sex, and weaning weight (WW=90 d) and post weaning weight (PW=120 d) were recorded for progeny. Post-weaning live weight, LEA and BFD values were calculated for deriving an expected progeny difference lists and ewe replacements. Retaining ram lambs (25% male progeny) were recorded for live weight, carcass trait scanning, and breeding values estimate at six-month old as breeding sires. There was no difference between selection and control progeny for WW, PW, BFD and LEA measurements. Means for BW, WW, PW, LEA, LEW, LED, and FBD in progeny were 3.77 ±0.56, 22.13 ±2.98, 24.48 ±3.08 kg, 5.9 ±0.1cm², 4.4 ±0.5 cm, 1.9 ±0.2 cm and 2.9 ±2.6 mm. However, the WW, PW, LEA, and LEW were measured significantly (P < 0.05) greater for ram lambs (20.6 kg, 25.5 kg, 6.1 cm², 4.5 cm) over ewe lambs (19.5 kg, 23.8 kg, 5.7 cm², 4.3 cm). Single born lambs were significantly (P < 0.01) heavier at birth, weaning and post-weaning, and measured greater value for LEA and LED than twin birth or reared lambs. The statistical analysis showed WW was significantly (P < 0.01) correlated with PW (r=0.71) and both WW and PW correlated with LEA (r=0.5) but not with BFD. The result indicates that lean animal selection using ultrasound carcass trait scanning will improve early age selection efficiency and accuracy.

Reproductive Management of Rams and Ram Lambs during the Pre-Breeding Season in US Sheep Farms

In sheep farms, achieving economic and productive efficiency and sustainability goals is directly related with the reproductive management of the animals. Genetically, the male contribution to the offspring is 50%, but in practical terms, there is a greater potential impact of the ram on reproductive results, because one male has the potential to affect a large group of females and therefore greatly affects the entire flock. Unfortunately, the selection of males for breeding in the US sheep industry has been traditionally conducted based on phenotypical traits, without a genetic/reproductive evaluation, and/or health assessment or records. Therefore, it is important to establish integrative management practices to select the rams and ram lambs to be used in the breeding season. Among these practices are genomic testing, a comprehensive breeding soundness evaluation and assessment of health status and records of the males before the breeding season, to detect and correct potential issues.

A Case of Concurrent Molybdenosis, Secondary Copper, Cobalt and Selenium Deficiency in a Small Sheep Herd in Northern Germany

To the author’s knowledge this paper describes the first proven report of a combined primary molybdenosis, secondary copper (Cu) deficiency, Ovine White Liver Disease—Cobalt (Co) deficiency, and selenium (Se) deficiency in a small pedigree herd of White Horned Heath sheep in Germany (8 ewes, 2 rams, 3 yearling ewes, 17 lambs) for decades. Clinical signs associated with these mineral deficiencies in a group of pastured ram lambs included emaciation, conjunctivitis, anaemia, growth retardation, discolouration of the wool and photodermatitis. Morbidities and mortalities arose in 4–6-month-old lambs despite intensive veterinary treatment in the summer of 2014 and 2015 (n = 13, 23% died). Se (3/5), Cu (4/7), and Co (3/3) deficiencies in combination with elevated values for Molybdenum (Mo, 2/2) were found. Hamburg is a large industrial city and an input of heavy metals from surrounding industries and coal-fired power stations in combination with a sandy, non-fertilised soil and monoculture grass species might offer a potential explanation for the severity of mineral deficiencies observed in this herd.