Effect of slaughter weight on carcass characteristics and cutability on imported Merino wethers

Abstract

: Forty five imported Australian Merino wethers were equally allotted to three predetermined weight group of 52, 58 and 65 kg. The effect of slaughter weight on carcass characteristics and cutability was determined. The results indicated that, dressing percentage, KPH fat weight, loin eye area, body wall thickness and the various wholesale cut weights increased linearly (P<0.01) as slaughter weight or cold carcass weight increased. While the loin eye area did not increase significantly between the 52 and 58 kg weight groups, it did from 58 to 65 kg. The correlations of slaughter weight and cold carcass weight with all studied carcass characteristics were positive and highly significant (P<0.01), except for body fat thickness and for dressing percentage. On the other hand, fat thickness and body wall thickness had unfavorable correlations with loin eye area and dressing percentage.