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CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS OF PASTURE-RAISED MEAT GOATS

Applied Research

Jeff Semler
Extension Agent, Agriculture & Food Systems
University of Maryland Extension
BOONSBORO

Abstract

\r\n One of the goals of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test is to evaluate and compare carcass characteristics of meat goats consuming a pasture-only diet. From the 2009 and 2010 tests, nineteen mostly Kiko bucks (29.2 ±10.8 kg) were selected for harvest and deboning at LambCo LLC, a USDA/custom abattoir in New Windsor, Maryland. The following data were collected on each buck: live weight (LW), hot carcass weight (HCW), cold carcass weight (CCW), body wall thickness (BWT), kidney and heart fat weight (KH), ultrasound rib eye area (U-REA), actual rib eye area (A-REA), fat weight (F), bone weight (B), and lean weight (L). Dressing percentages and carcass percentages of kidney and heart fat (%KH), fat (%F), bone (%B), and lean (%L) were calculated, along with overall carcass yields (CY).  Regression analysis showed U-REA and BWT to be the best indicators of percent lean in a goat carcass.  The equation to predict percent lean was determined to be 0.47 + 0.07 U-REA + 0.1 BWT (r2 =0.78).  The equation to predict total pounds of meat in a goat carcass was determined to be -0.22 + 0.18 LW + 4.93 U-REA (r2 = 0.69). The lighter live and carcass weights and lower fat measurements of the goats harvested in 2010 were attributed to the extreme drought conditions. The higher dressing percentages of the goats harvested in 2010 can be explained by the inclusion of the organ meats in the carcasses.

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Poster has NOT been presented at any previous NACAA AM/PIC

This poster is being submitted for judging. It will be displayed at the AM/PIC if not selected as a State winner. The abstract will be published in the proceedings.

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Authors: J.W. Semler*, M. B. Bennett, E. N. Escobar, D. G. Gordon, S. G. Schoenian, M. S. Updike
  1. Semler*, J. Extension Educator, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 21713
  2. Bennett, M. Extension Agent, WVU Berkeley Co. Extension Service, West Virginia, 25401
  3. Escobar, E. Assistant Professor-Small Ruminant Production and Management, University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, Maryland, 21853
  4. Gordon, D. Extension Educator, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 20855
  5. Schoenian, S. Sheep & Goat Specialist, University of Maryland Extension, Maryland, 21756
  6. Updike, M. Assistant Professor, University of Maryland; Animal & Avian Sciences, Maryland, 20740