Performance, carcass traits and costs of Suffolk lambs finishing systems with early weaning and controlled suckling

Abstract

RESUMO Desempenho, características de carcaça e custos da terminação de cordeiros Suffolk em sistemas com desmame precoce e amamentação controladaO objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho, as características de carcaça e os custos da terminação de cordeiros Suffolk em três sistemas: (1) cordeiros desmamados com 22 kg de peso corporal (PC) e mantidos em pastagem com suplementação concentrada até o abate; (2) cordeiros desmamados com 22 kg de PC e confinados até o abate; (3) cordeiros mantidos em amamentação controlada após atingirem 22 kg de PC e confinados com alimentação em creep feeding até o abate. Os valores de ganho médio diário (GMD) foram 224 g/dia para os cordeiros desmamados e suplementados em pastagem; 386 g/dia para os cordeiros desmamados e confinados, e 481 g/dia para os cordeiros mantidos em amamentação controlada. O peso de corpo vazio e a deposição de gordura visceral foram maiores em The performance, carcass traits and finishing costs of Suffolk lambs were evaluated in three systems: (1) lambs weaned with 22 kg of body weight (BW) and supplemented with concentrate on pasture until slaughter; (2) lambs weaned with 22 kg BW and fed in feedlot until slaughter; (3) lambs maintained in controlled nursing after 22 kg BW and creep fed in feedlot until slaughter. Average daily gain (ADG) was 224 g/d for lambs weaned and supplemented with concentrate on pasture, 386 g/d for lambs weaned in feedlot and 481 g/d for lambs under controlled nursing. Empty body weight and visceral fat deposition were highest in lambs from feedlot systems. Carcass weights and carcass yields were highest for lambs in controlled nursing. Finishing total costs were highest in controlled nursing and lowest in the system with weaning in feedlot. High concentrate diet associated with controlled nursing in feedlot allowed lambs to reach the growth potential and carcasses with higher weights, higher yields and higher fat content. After weaning, lambs in feedlot fed with high concentrate diet had higher weight gain than lambs supplemented with concentrate on pasture. Carcasses produced under these two systems presented the same characteristics. The system with weaning in feedlot showed the lowest cost per kg carcass.

Feeding Systems and the Physicochemical and Sensory Quality of Lamb Meat: Can Feeding Systems Affect Lamb Meat Quality?

“…ISSN 2166-0379 2019 the slaughter weight and considering high herbage allowance for the lactation ewes. In this case, it was noted that favorable profitability and animal welfare (Fernandes et al, 2014). Another production strategy in intensive livestock areas is early weaning of lambs (60 days old) and feeding them post-weaning concentrate supplements in pastures until slaughter.…”

Características de carcaça, composição tecidual e análise sensorial da carne de bezerros aleitados com níveis crescentes de soro de queijo em pó

“…Os valores observados para as perdas por resfriamento foram inferiores aos níveis máximos de 3 a 4% considerados aceitáveis segundo Almeida Júnior et al (2004). Isso é desejável sob o aspecto produtivo e qualitativo, pois indica baixa perda de peso por gotejamento durante o processo de resfriamento das carcaças (Fernandes et al, 2011).…”

Management Strategies for Lamb Production on Pasture-Based Systems in Subtropical Regions: A Review

“…In fact, the effect of creep feeding on ewe milk production should be better studied in a more challenging environment where the ewe nutritional level is deficient. Creep feeding is an important management strategy to improve lamb performance when it provides greater lamb nutrient ingestion (19). However, as mentioned before, this greater response needs to complement pasture quality (17); otherwise, the supplement becomes redundant (13).…”

“…Nursing lambs reached target slaughter weight (32 kg LW) at 117 DAB, similar to lambs fed in confinement (21). Considering the favorable results from unweaned lambs, this simple technique has the potential to lower costs while maintaining productivity and animal wellbeing resulting from lower lamb stress (19). However, in a system without weaning and 8 months between lambing and slaughtering, ewe recovery time may be too short prior to the next breeding period.…”