title: Effects of body weight, breed and sex on killing-out percentage and non-carcass component weights in lambs.
abstract: The effects of carcass weight (15, 17, 19 and 21 kg), breed (Clun Forest, Colbred, Suffolk and Hampshire) and sex (castrated male and female) on killing-out percentage and non-carcass component weights were investigated in 343 lambs. Apart from omental fat and diaphragm, the contribution of the components to live weight fell as live weight increased (relative growth coefficients on live weight were generally < 1·0) and killing-out percentage increased from 47·5% at 33 kg to 50·8% at 44 kg live weight. In any particular carcass weight group, Cluns, the fattest breed, had the highest killing-out percentage and the lowest offal weights of all the breeds and females, the fatter sex, had slightly lower offal weights than castrated males. In both cases the probable explanation was that the fatter types were more developed and not that there were specific effects on organ or offal weights. Some carcass measurements were related to killing-out percentage and suggested a positive association between conformation and killing-out percentage. However, the measurements encompassed fat, as well as muscle and bone, and it was concluded that the primary effect on killing-out percentage was one of fatness rather than conformation.
authors: ARC Meat Research Institute, Langford, Bristol, Great Britain.
authors: J D
authors: JD
authors: Wood
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Macfie
authors: A J
authors: AJ
authors: Brown