________________________________________________________________________________ AbstractEating-quality attributes of meat from Ankole cattle and their Friesian and Boran crossbreds finished in different feeding systems were evaluated. Seventy two 8-month-old bulls (24 each of pure Ankole (A), Ankole x Boran (B) and Ankole x Friesian (F) (191 ± 9.6 kg average weight) were allotted to three feeding systems in a completely randomized design with a 3 x 3 factorial treatment, and were slaughtered after 120 days. The longissimus dorsi muscle was excised from the carcasses and divided into five samples for sensory and shear force analysis. Samples aged 2, 7, 14 and 21days were subjected to the Warner Braztler shear force (WBSF) machine for textural tenderness determination. Steaks from Ankole and Friesian crossbreds attained WBSF values below 55N within 7 days of post mortem storage, whereas Boran crossbreds attained a similar level of tenderness at 14 days. Steaks from Ankole and Friesian crossbreds were rated more tender, juicy and acceptable than Boran crossbreds by panelists. Steaks from grazed bulls were rated less tender, juicy and palatable than steaks from supplemented and feedlot finished bulls. It was concluded that when grazed and supplemented or finished in a feedlot and meat aged for 7 days, Ankole bulls produce tender meat of an as high eating-quality as their Ankole x Friesian crossbreds. ________________________________________________________________________________

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a b s t r a c tA surge in the demand for goats' meat both locally and internationally has prompted many goat farmers in Uganda to venture into commercial goat production. However, goat production is highly challenged by breed characteristics and extreme fluctuations in feed quantity and quality. This study evaluated the effects of supplementing grazing Mubende goats and their crossbreds (Mubende  Boer) with concentrates on growth, carcass and noncarcass characteristics. A 2  3 factorial treatment arrangement was used to randomly allocate 96 pure Mubende and Mubende  Boer castrates (mean7SE; 31.372.2 kg initial weight) aged between 9 and 15 months, to three feeding regimes. The feeding regimes included (i) sole grazing (SGZ) as control, (ii) controlþ concentrate containing molasses (MCM) and (iii) controlþ concentrate without molasses (MCC). Concentrate dry matter intake was higher (Po0.001) in the crossbreds regardless of concentrate type, however, inclusion of molasses resulted in lower concentrate intake. The Mubende goats were more efficient in utilising concentrate with molasses while the crossbreds utilised concentrate without molasses more efficiently. Average daily gain (ADG) was higher (Po0.001) in the crossbreds and in the supplemented groups. Slaughter weight, empty body weight and hot carcass weight were also higher (Po0.001) in the crossbreds than the pure Mubende. Supplementation reduced gut fill (Po0.001) and increased (Po0.001) hot carcass weight and dressing percentage in both genotypes. Proportion of non-carcass components as percentage of empty body weight did not vary between genotypes but supplementation reduced (Po0.01) proportion of skin with hocks and empty stomach. Kidney fat, omental fat and scrotal fat increased (Po0.001) with supplementation. Therefore, crossbreeding together with supplementation of grazing can considerably improve goat meat production, however, caution should be taken on the level of concentrate supplement offered as tendency for absolute substitution of concentrate for grass/browse by goats was observed in this study.

________________________________________________________________________________ AbstractA study was conducted to evaluate the influence of feeding systems on carcass characteristics and composition of Mubende goats and their Boer goat crossbreds. A 2 x 3 factorial arrangement was used to randomly allocate 60 castrates, 30 purebred Mubende and 30 Mubende x Boer, aged 9 -12 months, to three feeding systems: sole grazing (T1), grazing + non-molasses based concentrate (T2) and grazing + a molasses based concentrate (T3). Carcass measurements included carcass weights, carcass length, internal chest width, hind-limb length and maximum hind limb width. Tissue composition was estimated using the 6 th rib. Crossbreds had heavier and longer carcasses (23.1 kg) and (65.7 cm) than the Mubende (19.0 kg and 63.2 cm), respectively. Crossbreds also had bigger hind quarters (39.0 cm) and higher blockiness (0.38) indices than Mubende goats, 37.1 cm and 0.29, respectively. Dissectible lean and fat percentages varied in an ascending order of 66%, 72%, 72.6% and 8%, 14% and 16.5% for T1, T2 and T3, respectively. A reverse trend was observed for bone percentages with carcasses from T1 having higher bone percentage (18.1%) than T2 (16.5%) and T3 (16.1%) irrespective of genotype. The study showed that supplementation of grazing goats has a great potential for goat meat production in Uganda.________________________________________________________________________________