Lamb live weights at slaughter and carcass grades

A.R. Bray

Winchmore Irrigation Research Station, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ashburton

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1984, 44: 223-226

Live weights, carcass weights and GR measurements from 566 Coopworth lambs were used to retrospectively establish criteria that would have directed carcass production away from discounted grades into those receiving premium payments.

Greatest financial returns would have been achieved by slaughtering lambs when they approached fatness limits, before penalties applied. When live weights were the only means of selection, returns were greater at weights that resulted in production of some carcasses penalised for fatness and/or heavy weights than at weights that avoided discounted grades.

Keywords: NZSAPAB; Lambs; live weight; carcass weight; leanness; carcass values

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Last Updated 03-05-1997