Effect of Slaughter Weight and Sex on the Carcass of Suffolk Down x German Merino Precocious Suckling Lambs

The carcasses of thirty suckling lambs (Suffolk Down x German Merino Precocius) were studied to estimate the effect of sex and slaughter weight on: hot carcass weight, carcass length, commercial and true dressing percentages, ribeye area, dorsal fat thickness, body components weight, and retail yield. The results were analysed considering two slaughter weights (10 and 15 kg), sex, and their interaction. Hot carcass weight, carcass length, ribeye area, and dorsal fat thickness were affected by slaughter weight. Leg, shoulder, and chops, showed the highest commercial yields and were not affected by sex, slaughter weight, nor their interaction. Based on these results it can be said that this genotype has excellent qualities for meat production.Financiado por Proyecto FIA C-97-2-P-00