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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #208967
Title: Small Ruminant Performance and Carcass Parameters when Finished on Pasture With and Without Whole Cottonseed Supplementation

Author
item Turner, Kenneth
item Belesky, David
item PRITCHARD, J - WEST VIRGINIA UNIVERSITY

Submitted to: American Forage and Grassland Council Conference Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2007
Publication Date: 6/24/2007
Citation: Turner, K.E., Belesky, D.P., Pritchard, J.Y. 2007. Small ruminant performance and carcass parameters when finished on pasture with and without whole cottonseed supplementation. In: Alison, W., editor. Proceedings of the American Forage and Grassland Council, June 24-26, 2007, State College, PA. 16:19-22.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The meat goat industry is growing rapidly in the U.S., particularly on small farms. Weight gain and carcass parameters were determined for traditional lambs (Suffolk, SX), hair sheep lambs (Katahdin, KA), and Boer x Kiko meat goats (GX) finished on a mixed pasture of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.), red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.), with (SUP) and without whole cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum L.) supplementation. Overall as the season progressed, BW and ADG were greater (P < 0.001) for supplemented (SUP) than unsupplemented (UNSUP) animals and followed a trend of SX > KA > GX. The ribeye area:carcass mass ratio was greatest (P < 0.01) for KA lambs (3.9) compared to SX lambs and GX kids, which were similar (mean 3.3). There was a breed effect (P < 0.001) on backfat thickness and lean score, but these two parameters were not influenced by supplementation. Carcass wt, dressing percentage, leg score, and conformation score was higher for SUP compared to UNSUP animals and followed a trend of SX > KA > GX. Small ruminants finished on pasture produced desirable finished BW and carcasses for the Halal ethnic market.