The effect of slaughter age on non-carcass components and carcass characteristics was evaluated in 35 Suffolk lambs slaughtered at average age of 90, 130 or 170 days, fed corn silage and concentrate (19.6% CP). As the slaughter age increased, animal live weight and carcass weight linearly increased, and some non-carcass components as blood, head, legs and full viscera percentage linearly decreased, leading to a linear increase in carcass yield. As the slaughter age increase, it was observed change in the proportion of carcass components with a linear increase of fat percentage, a linear decrease in bones percentage and no change in the muscle percentage. A linear decrease in the hindquarter, a linear increase in the ribs and no change in the forequarter carcass cuts was observed with increasing slaughter age. Higher slaughter age led to a linear increase in carcass measures and compactness. The slaughter age of Suffolk lambs, to produce suitable carcasses for retail, is between 110 and 130 days of age.
bone; dressing; fat; muscle; sheep
