Carcass traits and saleable meat yield of alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in Australia.
Carcass traits and saleable meat yield (SMY) of female and castrated male alpacas in Australia at 18, 24 and 36 months of age were investigated. Fifty huacaya alpacas, evenly distributed across 14, 20, 32 month ages and two genders, were grazed on coastal summer pastures for four months. Dressing percentage and carcass length were collected at slaughter. At 24h post-mortem the carcasses were prepared into four SMY combinations. Thirty six month animals had heavier hot carcass weights (33.7 ± 1 kg) and longer carcasses (81.2 ± 0.7 cm) as expected. The percentage of total carcass bone (17.5 ± 0.2%), fat trim (1.4 ± 0.1%) and meat trim (7.8 ± 0.4%) was assessed as a proportion of cold carcass weight. The proportion of fat increased and bone decreased with age. Females had more trim than males. SMY decreased in females and increased in males with age across all combinations suggesting that males are preferable for meat production.
The University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia. Electronic address: melanie.smith@sydney.edu.au.
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Smith
The University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
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Bush
The University of Sydney, Faculty of Veterinary Science, 425 Werombi Road, Camden, NSW 2570, Australia.
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Thomson
NSW Department of Primary Industries, Centre for Red Meat and Sheep Development, Cowra, NSW 2794, Australia.
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Hopkins
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D000367:Age Factors; D000821:Animal Feed; D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D049628:Body Size; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000378:metabolism*; D002161:Camelids, New World; D002369:Castration; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D008462:Meat-Packing Industry; D006109:Poaceae; D012737:Sex Factors
D004041:Dietary Fats
Alpaca; Carcass; Saleable meat yield