Distribution of lean, fat and bone in the carcasses of Najdi and Naeimi ram lambs

Abstract

Thirty ram lamb representing equal numbers of Najdi and Naeimi sheep were slaughtered at 50 kg-body weight to determine the effect of breed on tissue distribution of the carcasses. At similar slaughter weights, there were no significant differences between Najdi and Naeimi ram lambs for either hot or cold carcass weight, dressing percentage or at thickness at the 12th rib. On the other hand, Najdi carcasses had significantly (P<0.01) thicker body wall measurements, higher percentage internal fat, less percentage tail at and smaller rib eye size than did the Naeimi carcasses. Results from carcass physical separation revealed that, there were negligible differences between Najdi and Naeimi carcasses in separable lean distribution within the various wholesale cuts, but this was not the case for separable at and bone. In general, Najdi carcasses had a higher (P<0.01) percentage total separable fat than Naeimi carcasses. The study also indicated that Najdi ram lambs possessed wider and longer backs in comparison with Naeimi sheep of similar weight.