Increasing the productivity of Morkaraman sheep through crossbreeding with prolific Romanov sheep under semi-intensive production systems

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of cross-breeding Turkish indigenous Morkaraman (M) ewes with prolific Romanov (R) rams on the reproduction and performance traits, growth traits, slaughter and carcass characteristics of the crossbred offspring under semi-intensive production systems. No significant differences were observed between M and RxM for number of ewes lambing. The differences between M and RxM for number of lambs born alive, number of weaned lambs, number of lambs surviving up to 120 days, and up to the end of pasture were significant. Average birth, weaning, and post-grazing weights of lambs were 3.71 kg, 17.81 kg and 23.93 kg and 2.89 kg, 17.14 kg, and 22.32 kg in M and RxM lambs, respectively. The weight difference between M and R x M lambs at birth and at the end of the grazing period was significant. M had higher end-of-pasture and slaughter weight. After the grazing period, the slaughter characteristics of ram lambs were investigated. The differences between M and RxM lambs were significant for weight of slaughter, hot and cold carcass, tail fat, and organs (testis, heart and lung). Additionally, M lambs had a larger longissimus dorsi area than RxM lambs. It was evident that the M lambs had higher growth and slaughter values and some carcass characteristics than RxM crossbred lambs. It was concluded that, under the climate and management-nutritional conditions of the region, purebred M is a more suitable breed than RxM crossbreds.Keywords: Reproduction, growth performance, slaughter traits, carcass characteristic

Effects of different raising systems on colour and quality characteristics of Turkish Pekin duck meats

The current trial was conducted to determine the influence of different raising systems on the meat quality properties of male Turkish Pekin ducks. Ninety male ducklings were randomly allocated to three experimental groups: an animal-fish integrated farming group (IG), a non-animal-fish integrated farming group (NIG) and a poultry house group (PHG). All ducklings were fed a starter diet from weeks 2 to 6 and a finisher diet from weeks 6 to 10. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. At the end of the trial all ducks were slaughtered and the carcasses were stored at 3 °C for 24 hours, after which L*, a* and b* values of the carcass skins were measured. After standard dissection of carcasses, pectoralis muscles were obtained on which pH, colour (L*, a*, b*, C and H), total aerobic mesophilic, total aerobic psychrotrophic, lactic acid bacteria, Micrococcus/Staphylococcus, yeast-mould and Enterobacteriaceae counts were determined. The different raising systems of the ducks had significant effects on the pH, total aerobic mesophilic, Enterobacteriaceae, and L* and b* values of the pectoralis muscle. The lowest pH, total aerobic mesophilic and Enterobacteriaceae counts were found in the PHG group. The lowest L* values for the pectoralis muscle were found in the IG group while the highest a* value was recorded in the IG group. Significant differences in skin colour were observed between the experimental groups. For all production groups, all microbial counts were found to be within acceptable ranges. However, pH, total aerobic mesophilic and Enterobacteriaceae results were found to be lower in the PHG group than in the other groups. Different raising systems were thus found to affect the meat and skin colour of ducks, which may influence the preference of consumers. Keywords: Pekin duck, integrated farming, carcass and meat colour, microbial propertiesSouth African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 38 (3) 2008: pp. 217-22

Effects of slaughter age and muscle type on meat quality characteristics of Eastern Anatolian Red bulls

The effects of slaughter age and muscle type on meat quality properties of Eastern Anatolian Red (EAR) bulls (n=46) were investigated in the present study. Forty-six EAR bulls were slaughtered at 15, 17, 19, 25 and 27 months. Meat samples were taken from longissimus dorsi (LD) and gluteus medius (GM) muscles obtained from the carcasses at 24&thinsp;h post-mortem. Meat color parameters were significantly affected by slaughter age. Older animals (19, 25 and 27 months of age) possessed higher L*, a* and H values than those of younger animals (15 and 17 months of age). LD muscle had higher L* and a* values than those of GM muscles. The influences of slaughter age and muscle type on the proportions of dry matter, ether extract, crude ash and crude protein were not significant in the present study. The influence of slaughter age on the tenderness, acceptability, juiciness, number of chews and Warner–Bratzler shear (WBS) values were found to be significant. Tenderness, juiciness, flavor intensity and acceptability increased until 19 months of age, and then increase in age resulted in lower tenderness, flavor intensity and acceptability scores. Cooking yield significantly increased depending on the increase of age. WBS and cooking yield values from the LD were higher than that of the GM muscle. Textural characteristics such as hardness, springiness, cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness and resilience were not affected by slaughter age, but muscles had a significant influence on hardness, gumminess, chewiness and resilience. In conclusion, most eating quality characteristics and color parameters were positively influenced by slaughter age.</p

Determination of Meat Quality Through Principal Components Analysis

In the present investigation, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to various variables to describe meat quality. Sixteen meat quality variables were examined, and the analysis showed that 60.71% of the total variation was explained by the first three principal components. L*, a*, b* as colour data; odour, tenderness, flavour, acceptability as sensorial traits; hardness and chewiness as physical traits had the highest share in the total variation

Goat production systems of Turkey: Nomadic to industrial

Goats play an important socio-economic role in many marginal rural areas of the world. Indigenous goat breeds have taken an important role in the livelihood strategies of impoverished farmers, especially those in harsh, remote areas. Those roles include their use as security and diversification of assets, social and cultural functions. They are also valued for their productive performance, adaptation and disease resistance. Turkey is one of the leading countries in the world for goat population and production. Hair, Kilis, Angora and Shami are the main goat breeds of the country. Hair goats are raised in many parts of the country but are concentrated particularly in the mountainous regions country, while the Angora breed is concentrated mainly in Central Anatolia. Kilis and Shami goats are known for their higher milk yield and litter size and are mainly focused in the south-east region of Turkey. Apart from these four breeds, the minor breeds such as Honamlı are located in the Bolkar Mountains in the Mediterranean region (specifically Antalya, Isparta and Konya) and the Norduz breed in Van province. A limited number of dairy goats such as Maltız, Saanen and their crossbreds are located in the Aegean and Marmara regions of Turkey. The population of goats in Turkey is about 11 million head. Hair goats make up approximately 10 million of the total number and the rest make up the balance. There are many reasons for goat production in Turkey, including the country's geography and ecological condition, as well as the socio-economic situation of the rural communities. Goats have been raised in the Anatolian Plateau for many centuries providing dairy, meat, hide and hair to the inhabitants. It is the main source of animal protein for the rural masses in the mountainous regions of the country and less so for the urban population. Goats provide approximately 3% of the total red meat, 2.5% of the total milk and 18.5% of the total hide production for Turkey. They are also the only source of mohair and animal hair production in the country. Although their number and economic significance has decreased over the years, goat breeding still plays and important socio-economic role for the people living in remote areas of Turkey. Investments in intensive goat enterprises have increased significantly in the last few decades in Turkey although marketing margins across the value chain between producers, middlemen, processors, and consumers unjustifiably irregular. © 2017 Elsevier B.V