Evaluation of dam breeds in crossing with Dorper sire breed for production of early slaughtering lambs

Com este estudo objetivou-se avaliar ovelhas da raça Morada Nova (MN) e Santa Inês (SI) quanto à infecção parasitária e desempenho reprodutivo e produtivo quando acasaladas ou cruzadas com reprodutores da raça Dorper (D), assim como, o desempenho e as características de carcaça e da carne dos cordeiros Morada Nova (MM), Santa Inês (SS) e de seus meio sangue ½ Dorper x ½ Morada Nova (MD) e ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês (SD) terminados em confinamento. Foram utilizadas 51 ovelhas (MN) com 33,1 ± 4,98 kg de peso e 52 ovelhas (SI) com 51,8 ± 7,07 kg, todas multíparas com idades entre 2 a 4 anos. As ovelhas permaneceram em pastagem de Panicum maximum (cultivar Aruana) e no terço final de gestação e na lactação foram mantidas em baias coletivas recebendo silagem de milho ad libitum e 400 g/animal/dia de concentrado. Após a desmama, foram utilizados 32 cordeiros sendo 8 MM (peso 15,0 ± 1,0 Kg), 8 SS (peso 18,4 ± 1,0 Kg), 8 MD (peso 16,1 ± 1,0 Kg) e 8 SD (peso 21,3 ± 1,0 Kg) com aproximadamente 70 dias de idade e terminados em confinamento com dieta composta de 40 % de silagem de milho e 60 % de concentrado e abatidos aos 35 kg de peso aproximadamente. Em ambas as raças maternas a infecção parasitária foi caracterizada pela predominância de parasitas do gênero Haemonchus, que se agravou no pré e pós-parto com as ovelhas MN capazes de manter a infecção mais baixa aos 30 dias pós-parto. O grau de infecção parasitária não foi suficiente para alterar negativamente as variáveis hematológicas que se mantiveram dentro da normalidade para a espécie, com algumas diferenças entre as raças de acordo com as datas de coleta. Ambas as raças maternas apresentaram bom desempenho reprodutivo, produzindo crias ao nascimento e à desmama mais pesadas quando cruzadas com reprodutores Dorper e Fêmeas MN cruzadas com reprodutores Dorper produzindo a desmama, crias com pesos semelhantes a ovelhas SI acasaladas. Cordeiros cruzados SD e MD apresentam desempenho e características de carcaça semelhantes, com maior deposição de tecido em regiões de maior valor comercial quando comparados aos cordeiros puros. Quanto a carne, não foi identificada diferença entre os grupos estudados para as características de cor, maciez e suculência, mas os cordeiros cruzados apresentaram carne com menor quantidade de gordura, com os cordeiros SD expondo uma gordura com melhor perfil nutricional para o consumo humano do que de cordeiros MDThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the parasitic infection; reproductive and productive performance of Morada Nova (MN) and Santa Inês (SI) sheep crossed with Dorper rams; and to evaluate productive performance; carcass and meat characteristics of Morada Nova (MM) and Santa Inês (SS) lambs and that of the crossbred ½ Dorper x ½ Morada Nova (MD) and ½ Dorper x ½ Santa Inês (SD) lambs, finished in feedlot system. Fifty one MN sheep (33,1 ± 4,98 kg initial body weight - BW) and 52 SI sheep (51,8 ± 7,07 kg BW), all multiparous, aging from 2 to 4 years old were used. The sheep were kept in Panicum maximum cv. Aruana pasture and from the final third of gestation up to lactation period they were housed in collective pens, receiving corn silage ad libitum and 400 g/animal/day of concentrate. After weaning, 32 lambs, 8 MM (15,0 ± 1,0 Kg BW), 8 SS (18,4 + 1,0 Kg BW), 8 MD (16,1 ± 1,0 Kg BW) and 8 SD (21,3 ± 1,0 Kg BW) aging about 70 days old, finished in feedlot system and fed on a 40:60 corn silage and concentrate diet were slaughtered around the body weight of 35 Kg. In both maternal breeds the parasitic infection was characterized by the predominance of Hamonchus genus parasites, and it has increased in pre and postpartum periods; the MN sheep were capable of maintaining reduced parasitic infection at 30 days after giving birth. The parasitic infection has not affected blood parameters, which were maintained in the reference range of the species, with some differences being observed between breeds according to blood collection dates. Both maternal breeds presented good reproductive performance, producing lambs that presented increased birth and weaning weight when crossed with Dorper ram; MN sheep when crossed with Dorper ram have produced lambs that presented weaning weights similar to that of lambs produced by SI sheep when mated with SI ram. Crossbred lambs SD and MD presented similar productive performance and carcass characteristics, with increased tissue deposition in more commercially appreciated areas when compared with pure breed lambs. In the meat characteristics evaluations, no differences were observed between the studied groups for meat color, softness and juiciness but the crossbred lambs produced meat with reduced fat content, with SD lambs presenting fat profile more suitable for human consumption than MD lamb

Carcass and meat traits of Morada Nova, Santa Ines and ½ Ile de France ½ Texel lambs finished in feedlot

The aim of this study was to evaluate the carcass and meat traits of Morada Nova, Santa Ines and ½ Ile de France ½ Texel lambs finished in feedlot. Weight and proportion of meatcuts, measures of carcass size and color, tenderness, cooking loss and ultimate pH of meat from 10 Morada Nova, 6 Santa Ines and 10 ½ Ile de France ½ Texel were evaluated. The lambs were finished in collective pens, fed ad libitum with 50% corn silage and 50% concentrate and slaughtered at about six months old. Analysis of variance was performed by the procedure PROC GLM of SAS (SAS Inst., Inc., Cary, NC) and means were compared by Tukey test at 5% significance. The Morada Nova lambs had values of 14.1 kg, 13.9 kg, 0.240 kg/cm, 56.2 cm and 35.8 cm for hot and cold carcass weight, compactness index, hip and leg circumference respectively and these values were lower (P &lt;0.05) to values observed in Santa Ines (19.4 kg, 18.8 kg, 0.283 cm/kg, 64.6 cm and 40.0 cm) and in ½ Ile de France ½ Texel (18.6 kg, 18.2 kg, 0.305 cm/kg; 65.4 cm and 41.6 cm) lambs. The hot and cold carcass yield did not differ (P&gt; 0.05) among genetic groups. The scores for conformation and fat cover were higher (P &lt;0.05) in ½ Ile de France ½ Texel lambs (2.4 and 3.0) and the carcass length was greater in Santa Ines lambs (66.3 cm). The ½ Ile de France ½ Texel lambs had smaller (P&lt;0.05) proportion of neck and greater of leg (9.10% and 33.1%) compared to Morada Nova lambs (10.3% and 30.4%) and Santa Inês (10.9% and 31.6%). The weight of shoulder, leg, rack, ribs and flank was lower (P&lt;0.05) in Morada Nova (1.306, 2.127 kg, 0.999 kg, 0.775 kg and 0.433 kg respectively) compared to Santa Inês (1.820 kg, 2.972 kg, 1.355 kg, 0.959 and 0.509 kg) and ½ Ile de France ½ Texel (1.791 kg, 3.007 kg, 1.212 kg, 1.016 kg and 0.563 kg). The neck was heavier in Santa Ines (1.038 kg) which differed (P &lt;0.05) from the other genetic groups (0.725 kg for Morada Nova and 0.830 kg for ½ Ile de France x ½ Texel lambs). The ½ Ile de France ½ Texel lambs showed meat with higher luminosity (37.4) than Morada Nova (33.5) and Santa Ines (31.7) lambs. When slaughtered at six months of age lambs of the genetic groups evaluated result in similar good quality meat, however, Morada Nova lambs have lower weights of carcass and meat cuts as well as smaller carcass than Santa Ines and ½ Ile de France ½ Texel lambs.</span

Crossbreeding locally adapted hair sheep to improve productivity and meat quality

The use of lambs from crossing of local with specialized sheep breeds for meat production may lead to higher meat deposition and a smaller fat amount in the carcass, with a more adequate nutritional profile for human consumption. This study investigated the performance, carcass and meat characteristics of lambs from the Morada Nova and Santa Inês locally adapted hair breeds and crosses between Dorper × Morada Nova and Dorper × Santa Inês slaughtered at approximately 35 kg. Morada Nova lambs showed lower (p < 0.05) performance compared to the other genetic groups resulting in a higher age at slaughter (p < 0.05). Crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês and Dorper × Morada Nova lambs showed better characteristics for meat production with better (p < 0.05) conformation as well as leg and carcass compacteness index. Dorper × Santa Inês have a fatty acid profile that is more suitable for human consumption than Dorper × Morada Nova lambs do (p < 0.05); however, both had lower (p < 0.05) intramuscular lipid content (as measured by ether extract levels from Longíssimus lumborum) compared with purebred lambs. Therefore, when the objective is to obtain lean meat, with improved nutritional profile to reduce risks of cardiovascular disease, the use of breeds and crosses that reduce animal slaughter age, such as the ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês crossbred, is an interesting alternative

Crossbreeding locally adapted hair sheep to improve productivity and meat quality

ABSTRACT: The use of lambs from crossing of local with specialized sheep breeds for meat production may lead to higher meat deposition and a smaller fat amount in the carcass, with a more adequate nutritional profile for human consumption. This study investigated the performance, carcass and meat characteristics of lambs from the Morada Nova and Santa Inês locally adapted hair breeds and crosses between Dorper × Morada Nova and Dorper × Santa Inês slaughtered at approximately 35 kg. Morada Nova lambs showed lower (p < 0.05) performance compared to the other genetic groups resulting in a higher age at slaughter (p < 0.05). Crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês and Dorper × Morada Nova lambs showed better characteristics for meat production with better (p < 0.05) conformation as well as leg and carcass compacteness index. Dorper × Santa Inês have a fatty acid profile that is more suitable for human consumption than Dorper × Morada Nova lambs do (p < 0.05); however, both had lower (p < 0.05) intramuscular lipid content (as measured by ether extract levels from Longíssimus lumborum) compared with purebred lambs. Therefore, when the objective is to obtain lean meat, with improved nutritional profile to reduce risks of cardiovascular disease, the use of breeds and crosses that reduce animal slaughter age, such as the ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês crossbred, is an interesting alternative

Crossbreeding locally adapted hair sheep to improve productivity and meat quality

<div><p>ABSTRACT: The use of lambs from crossing of local with specialized sheep breeds for meat production may lead to higher meat deposition and a smaller fat amount in the carcass, with a more adequate nutritional profile for human consumption. This study investigated the performance, carcass and meat characteristics of lambs from the Morada Nova and Santa Inês locally adapted hair breeds and crosses between Dorper × Morada Nova and Dorper × Santa Inês slaughtered at approximately 35 kg. Morada Nova lambs showed lower (p < 0.05) performance compared to the other genetic groups resulting in a higher age at slaughter (p < 0.05). Crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês and Dorper × Morada Nova lambs showed better characteristics for meat production with better (p < 0.05) conformation as well as leg and carcass compacteness index. Dorper × Santa Inês have a fatty acid profile that is more suitable for human consumption than Dorper × Morada Nova lambs do (p < 0.05); however, both had lower (p < 0.05) intramuscular lipid content (as measured by ether extract levels from Longíssimus lumborum) compared with purebred lambs. Therefore, when the objective is to obtain lean meat, with improved nutritional profile to reduce risks of cardiovascular disease, the use of breeds and crosses that reduce animal slaughter age, such as the ½ Dorper × ½ Santa Inês crossbred, is an interesting alternative.</p></div

Características de produtividade das raças Santa Inês e Morada Nova cruzadas com reprodutores Dorper na região Sudeste

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Productive traits of Santa Inês and Morada Nova ewes mated with Dorper rams in Southeastern Brazil

Naturalized Brazilian hair breeds are adapted to tropical climate, however produce lambs for slaughter with lower performance and carcass traits. One way to increase productiveness comprises the use of adapted ewes crossed with specialized meat breeds, exploiting the complementarity between breeds and heterosis for sustainable lamb production. Dorper rams can be use to produce crossbred lambs with better performance traits. The aim of this study was to evaluate the weight at birth and at 30 days of Morada Nova lambs (MN) and Santa Inês (SI) straight breed or Dorper crossbred. The study was carried out at Instituto de Zootecnia, city of Nova Odessa, located in São Paulo State, Brazil. Forty-two adult Santa Inês (SI) ewes with 51.8 ± 7.1 Kg of initial body weight, with 21 mated with SI rams and 21 mated with Dorper (DO) rams and 38  Morada Nova (MN) with 33.1 ± 4.98 with 19 mated with MN and  19 mated with DO rams were used. During pregnancy the ewes were reared on intensive grazing systems with rotational grazing on Aruana grass (Panicum maximum cv. Aruana), plus corn silage ad libitum and a concentrate mixture (400 g/day) with 16% crude protein and 80% of total digestible nutrient (TDN) on  final third of gestation. After lambing, the ewes were kept in collective pens and kept under the same diet used in late pregnancy. The weight at birth as well as at 30 day old were recorded and calculated the percentage of lamb weight in relation of ewe weights. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software version 12. Based on data is possible to observe that the SI X DO lambs had the highest birth weight followed by the straight breed SI and MN. At 30 day, the SI lambs had greater live weight than MN lambs. No difference was found for lamb´s weights in relation to ewe’s weight. We conclude that SI crossbred or straight breed lambs are heavier than MN ones

Características de produtividade das raças Santa Inês e Morada Nova cruzadas com reprodutores Dorper na região Sudeste

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Parâmetros reprodutivos em ovelhas deslanadas (Morada Nova e Santa Inês) criadas em sistemas intensivo no Sudeste do Brasil

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Parâmetros reprodutivos em ovelhas deslanadas (Morada Nova e Santa Inês) criadas em sistemas intensivo no Sudeste do Brasil

O artigo não apresenta resumo em português