The use of ultrasonic measurements assessed with two probes in live lambs for predicting the carcass composition

The accuracy of the use of two probes (UST-586-5 MHz and UST-556 tu-7.5 MHz) for predicting the carcass composition were used in 36 lambs of Churra Bragançana breed ranging in body weight from 26 to 47kg. Comparison between the ultrasonic measurements assessed in live lambs with the same measurements taken on carcass were established. The best relationship obtained were between the ultrasonic measurements assessed with 7.5 MHz probe on last rib and the same fat thickness measurements taken on carcass. Between 41 and 86tm of the variation in the weight of carcass components were accounted for by variation in body weight and the ultrasonic measurements