Carcass traits of Malpura and Avikalin finisher lambs maintained under intensive feeding or grazing with supplementation

The present slaughter study was conducted on 6-month old male Malpura and Avikalin finisher lambs maintained either under intensive feeding or grazing with supplementation, to assess their carcass traits. The pre-slaughter weight (PSW), empty live weight (ELW), hot carcass weight and hot carcass with edible offal were similar in the 2 genetic groups and under both feeding protocols with overall average of24.2, 20.9, 10.6 and 11.6 kg respectively. Dressing% on pre-slaughter weight was also similar in these lambs (43.6) while in terms of empty live weight it was significantly higher in Avikalin (51.6) than Malpura (49.1) and also higher under intensive feeding (51.6) than grazing with supplementation (48.9). The loin eye area as index ofmuscIe growth was, however, higher in Malpura compared to Avikalin and higher on intensive feeding than under grazing with supplementation. The depot fat (kidney and caul fat) weight was higher under intensive feeding than that on grazing with supplementation and in general higher in Avikalin than in Malpura lambs. The cut proportions of leg loin, rack, neck and shoulder and breast and fore shank in terms of PSW, were similar in the 2 genotypes, and feeding protocols with overall average of34.4, 13.2. 12.4,23.4 and 16.7% ofhalf carcass, respectively. In general, all these cuts showed higher fat and lower bone content under intensive feeding that too in Avikalin lambs which was reflected in significantly higher fat and lower bone content of the half carcass. It is concluded that there was no effect ofgenotype and feeding protbcol on dressing yield in terms ofpre slaughter while on expression in terms of ELW inclusive of edible offal weight (saleable meat yield) it was higher under intensive feeding in Avikalin lambs. The fat content of the half carcass ranged from 7-11% in the 2 genotypes and the feeding protocols providing a quality carcass.