Chemical composition and fatty acid profile in meat from grazing lamb diets supplemented with ryegrass hay, fishmeal and soya bean meal as PUFA sources

This study examined the characteristics of the fatty acids profile in the meat of lambs fed grazing and supplemented with different PUFA sources. Thirty Suffolk lambs were used (37.2±5.4kg BW), grazing on perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) (12h d-1) and supplemented (30g kg-1 BW0.75) with ryegrass hay (RGH), or supplements formulated with fishmeal (FHM) or soybean meal (SBM). Lambs were used in a completely randomized design. Results showed an effect on total SFA, with SBM higher than RGH (P=0.033), and SBM and FHM showing higher MUFA content compared with RGH (P=0.001). Total PUFA content was higher for RGH, followed by FHM and with the lowest content for SBM (P=0.001). Concluding that there is a variation in fatty acid content depending on the lipid-protein source used in supplementation in grazing sheep, the content of PUFA was higher for grazing lambs supplemented with RGH compared with those supplemented with FHM or SBM