Effects of feeding systems and breed group on carcass characteristics and meat quality of feedlot goat kids

Abstract

The goal was to evaluate if feeding systems with or without milk or breed groups can improve carcass characteristics, the proportion of tissues and meat tenderness of feedlot goat kids. Were used 56 animals from five different breed groups fed by experimental diet and milk according to the treatment., without milk or with 1,5 L milk/animal/day. The kid goats were slaughtered at 30 kg of live weight, and the carcass conformation and amount of fat were determined subjectively by visual assessment. Morphometric measurements and carcass and cut yields were performed. The Longissimus lumborum muscle was separated to determinate the area and subsequently it was used to evaluate the tenderness of the meat. The feeding system changes goat carcass characteristics, and goat kids fed milk until slaughter have better carcass yield and meat quality, as it anticipates the deposition of total fat, which can benefit carcass quality, given the scarcity of fat in the carcass of goats. The breed group also influences carcass characteristics. It is recommended the use of the Boer breed up to 3/4, since more than that it reduces leg yield and does not improve the compactness index and carcass conformation.