Abstract

PARTIDA DE LA PENA, José Armando et al. Characterization of sheep carcasses produced in Mexico. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.3, pp.269-277. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v8i3.4203.

One thousand (1,000) sheep carcasses produced in Mexico were characterized. Data were processed through descriptive statistics and using a totally random design. From total carcasses, 82.2 % were males and 17.8 % females. Fifty three (53) genotypes (11 pure breeds and 42 different crosses) were identified. Slaughter weight averaged 43.2 ± 7.2 kg (20.4 to 85.7), cold carcass weight averaged 22.0 ± 4.1 kg (11.3 to 50.0) carcass yield was 50.0 ± 5.1 % (34.7 to 73.5), rib eye area averaged 14.8 ± 3.8 cm2 (2.7 to 29.7), subcutaneous fat thickness had a mean of 3.1 ± 1.6 mm (1.0 to 10.0) and pH averaged 5.5 ± 0.2 (5.0 to 6.5). The intensive production system showed higher values ​​in slaughter weight, cold carcass weight and rib eye area (44.4 ± 5.9 kg, 22.8 ± 3.3 kg and 15.5 ± 3.6 cm2, respectively) than the semi-intensive system (43.6 ± 5.3 kg, 19.9 ± 3.1 kg and 13.8 ± 2.5 cm2) and extensive system (36.4 ± 9.7, 19.6 ± 2.6 kg and 9.6 ± 2.6 cm2). Males had higher values ​​than females in slaughter weight (44.3 ± 6.7 vs 40.1 ± 6.1 kg), cold carcass weight (22.2 ± 3.8 vs 21.2 ± 4.4 kg) and rib eye area (15.2 ± 3.7 vs 12.7 ± 3.7 cm2). The great diversity in phenotypes and different lamb conditions caused considerable variability in carcass traits, which limits the formal lamb market, so sheep domestic production should be reordered towards a more uniform quality condition.

Keywords : Characterization; Sheep; Quality; Carcass.