title: Effects of processing corn on the carcass traits and meat quality of feedlot lambs.
abstract: The objectives of this study were to evaluate and compare the effect of the corn grain processing (whole grain, dry beans ground, and wet grain) on carcass characteristics and meat quality in lambs. Twenty-two Dorper vs. Santa Inês uncastrated lambs (27 ± 4 kg BW; ±3 months old) were distributed in a randomized complete block (initial BW). The diets were composed of 20 % protein-mineral pellet, 5 % hay, and 75 % corn in the form of whole grain, ground grain, or wet grain. The harvest weight of animals fed whole corn (50.2 kg) and ground (49.03 kg) were equal and higher than the moisture corn fed lambs (44.89 kg); therefore, the same differences were expected to be seen in the cold vs hot carcass comparison. However, there was no difference between treatments comparing hot or cold carcass performance, averaging 47 and 46 %, respectively. Also unaffected by the treatments were subcutaneous fat thickness values, loin muscle area, pH, temperature, drip loss, water loss by cooking, color, and tenderness. It can be concluded that the shape and size of corn grain in diets of high concentrate resulted in no measurable influence on carcass traits, but whole grain is more easily managed by the producer.
authors: Faculty of Animal Science and Food Engineering, Sao Paulo University, 225 Duque de Caxias Av, 13635-900, Pirassununga, SP, Brazil.
authors: Letícia Silva
authors: LS
authors: Oliveira
authors: Madeline Rezende
authors: MR
authors: Mazon
authors: Roberta Ferreira
authors: RF
authors: Carvalho
authors: Domingos Marcelo Cenachi
authors: DM
authors: Pesce
authors: Saulo
authors: S
authors: Da Luz E Silva
authors: Sarita Bonagurio
authors: SB
authors: Gallo
authors: Paulo Roberto
authors: PR
authors: Leme
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat; D012756:Sheep / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D003313:Zea mays