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This study compared the use of pork backfat (PF) and fat-tailed sheep tail and backfat (SF) on the physicochemical, fatty acids and sensory attributes of warthog cabanossi. There were no differences between weight loss during drying, moisture content, pH, water activity, salt content and lipid oxidation between the cabanossi types. However, protein and ash contents were higher in PF cabanossi whilst fat content was higher in SF cabanossi. The PF cabanossi had higher polyunsaturated fatty acids (especially n-6), lower monounsaturated fatty acids whilst the saturated fatty acid content was similar between the two cabanossi products. The n-3:n-6 ratio was more beneficial in the SF cabanossi. The descriptive sensory analysis showed two distinct products where PF cabanossi scored higher for most attributes. Although SF cabanossi scored less for these attributes, this cabanossi had unique and acceptable sensory attributes. This study concluded that fat-tailed sheep tail and backfat could be used to produce a unique cabanossi product of acceptable quality.

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Context Globally, sheep productivity is constrained by scarcity of high-quality feed and haemonchosis. These challenges may simultaneously be addressed by valorisation of nutraceutical forage legumes such as sericea lespedeza (SL) into sheep diets. Aim The current study determined the effects of feeding diets containing increasing inclusion levels of SL (0%, 6.25%, 12.5%, 18.75% and 25%) as replacement for lucerne on haematological, biochemical, and parasitological parameters in Haemonchus contortus-infected and non-infected lambs. Methods Bodyweights, body condition scores (BCS), FAMACHA© scores, faecal worm egg counts (FWEC), and haematological and biochemical parameters were recorded from 80 Dohne Merino intact male lambs assigned to diet-by-infection status-based treatments in a completely randomised design, with a 5 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments comprising of eight lambs per treatment during a 42-day feeding trial. Adult worms were collected, enumerated, and their ultra-structure was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy after slaughter. Results Diet, and diet × infection status had no effects on red blood-cell parameters of the lambs (P > 0.05). Eosinophils were affected by diet × infection status, being highest in non-infected lambs fed the control diet and lowest in infected lambs fed the 25% SL diet (P ≤ 0.05). Serum albumin, calcium and body condition scores declined (P ≤ 0.05) with increasing inclusion levels of SL in the diet. There was no influence of diet on lamb bodyweights, FAMACHA© scores, FWEC, and worm burdens. Dietary increments of SL disrupted the structural integrity of the head (χ2 = 28.43; ϕc = 0.493; P ≤ 0.05) of adult worms. Conclusions Sericea lespedeza may replace lucerne up to 25% in lamb feedlot diets, with minor negative effects on haematological and biochemical parameters, but offers little benefits for modulating Haemonchus contortus infection. Implications Beneficiation of biologically active alternative feed resources such as sericea lespedeza could help farmers adapt better to market changes through the development of enhanced livestock feed and pharmaceutical products, which could help alleviate losses associated with impoverished nutrition and gastrointestinal health of lambs.

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