Genotype and age effects on sheep meat production. 5. Lean meat and fat content in the carcasses of Australian sheep genotypes at 20-, 30- and 40-kg carcass weights

Abstract

Lean meat and fat content of Australian sheep genotypes were compared at 20-, 30- and 40-kg carcass weights. Sheep comprised Poll Dorsetgrowth x Border Leicester Merino (PDg x BLM), Poll Dorsetgrowth x Merino (PDg x M), Poll Dorsetmuscling x Merino (PD m x M), Border Leicester x Merino (BL x M) and Merino x Merino (M x M) genotypes. Lambs were raised as a mixed flock under grazing and slaughtered at 4, 8, 14 and 22 months of age with each slaughter time involving ∼150 mixed sex animals. At 24 h after slaughter, chilled carcasses were halved along the backbone and the right sides were used for determination of lean, fat and ash percentages using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Within a part..