Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Suffolk Sired Lambs from Panama and Finn × Panama Dams

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Abstract
Suffolk (S) sired lambs from Panama (P) and Finn × Panama (FP) two-year-old ewes were compared. Ewes were fed in drylot on three different energy levels; low (L) 85, medium (M) 100 and high (H) 115% of NRC requirements. Lambs were weaned at approximately 90 days of age and fed a finishing diet to a mean slaughter weight of 50 kilograms. A total of 57 lambs selected from among twins were slaughtered for carcass evaluation. No weight differences were apparent between SP and SFP lambs at weaning. The SP lambs significantly exceeded the SFP lambs (12%) for ADG from weaning to slaughter. The SFP lambs had higher numerical yield grades than the SP lambs (3.7 vs 3.4) resulting in a lower yield of retail cuts for SFP lambs. The SP lambs had 13% larger longissimus muscle areas (14.1 vs 12.5 cm2), higher percentage of retail primal cuts (59.6 vs 58.2%) and 5% more cold carcass weight per day of age (.139 vs .132 kg) than SFP lambs. There were no significant differences in carcass conformation, leg score, color of lean, marbling or quality grade between SP and SFP lambs. Although SP lambs were rated higher than SFP lambs in several important carcass traits, Suffolk sired lambs produced by Finn × Panama dams and slaughtered at 50 kg live weight had acceptable carcasses (Yield grade of 3.7) and would be commercially acceptable. Copyright © 1979. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1979 by American Society of Animal Science.