The effect of sex and genotype on growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass traits of local sheep group Pantaneiro and Texel or Santa Inês crossbred finished on feedlot.
This study aimed to assess and compare the growth performance, feed efficiency, and carcass traits of Pantaneiro sheep and their Texel and Santa Inês crossbreds. Ninety-six lambs, fifty-one males, and forty-five females, with a mean weaning weight of 15.21 ± 1.25 kg and 78 ± 13 days of age, were slaughtered at a 32-kg body weight. The results showed better production efficiency from males compared with females. Texel-crossed lambs had a better growth performance than the other genotypes. The Texel × Pantaneiro lambs were more efficient with a better feedlot performance, higher ribeye muscle area, and better carcass characteristics with an adequate amount of fat cover. Pantaneiro lambs and their crosses with meat breeds could be useful in meat production systems under Savanna environmental conditions.
Faculdade de Ciências Agrárias, Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, Rodovia Dourados à Itahum, km 12, Caixa Postal 533, 79804-970, Dourados, MS, Brazil, fernandojunior@ufgd.edu.br.
Fernando Miranda de
FM
Vargas Junior
Charles Ferreira
CF
Martins
Guilherme dos Santos
Gdos S
Pinto
Marcos Barbosa
MB
Ferreira
Hélio de Almeida
Hde A
Ricardo
André Gustavo
AG
Leão
Alexandre Rodrigo Mendes
AR
Fernandes
Alfredo
A
Teixeira
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006824:Hybridization, Genetic; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D014886:Weaning; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology