title: Effects of different dietary inclusion levels of macadamia oil cake on growth performance and carcass characteristics in South African mutton merino lambs.
abstract: Growth performance and carcass characteristics of South African mutton merino fed graded levels of macadamia oil cake were assessed. A total of 60 South African mutton merino lambs were used in the experiment (initial live weight 25.0 ± 0.45 kg). Five diets with different inclusion levels of macadamia oil cake (MOC) were formulated: T1 (0% MOC, control), T2 (5% MOC), T3 (10% MOC), T4 (15% MOC) and T5 (20% MOC). Effects of inclusion level of MOC on average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) were not significant (P > 0.05). Effects of inclusion levels of MOC on feed conversion ratio (FCR) of sheep were significant (P < 0.05). Highest proportion (71.2%) of sheep in the study had a carcass fat classification of 2, followed by a proportion of 17.3% sheep with a carcass fat classification of 3 and lastly 11.5% sheep had carcass fat classification of 4. Warm and cold carcass mass, chest circumference, carcass length and dressing percentage were higher in sheep fed on 5% MOC compared to other treatment diets (0, 10, 15 and 20% MOC) (P < 0.05). Fat rib eye had a greater area in sheep fed on 5% MOC (P < 0.05). It was concluded that 5% MOC provided the best results in terms of carcass characteristic measurements in sheep.
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida, 1710, South Africa.
authors.forename: Owoahene
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Acheampong-Boateng
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida, 1710, South Africa.
authors.forename: Archibold G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Bakare
authors.affiliation: Agricultural Research Council, API, Private Bag X2, Irene, Pretoria, South Africa.
authors.forename: Douglas B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Nkosi
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Animal Health, University of South Africa, Private Bag X6, Florida, 1710, South Africa. mbathkr@unisa.ac.za.
authors.forename: Khanyisile R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Mbatha
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001823:Body Composition; D004032:Diet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000662:veterinary*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D039106:Macadamia; D008460:Meat; D012756:Sheep; D034561:Sheep, Domestic / Q000254:growth & development*; D013019:South Africa; D015430:Weight Gain
keywords: Carcass yield; Feed intake; Non-conventional protein source; Weight gain