Evaluation of muscling using Texel and Oxford cross Romney and
Hight Romney lambs
A.H. Kirton, G.J.K. Mercer, J.N. Clarke, J.L. Dobbie, D.M.
Duganzich, J.A. Wilson
AgResearch, Ruakura Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1995,
55: 108-110
Muscling is considered important by the New Zealand meat industry.
As Texel cross lambs contain more muscle than most other sheep genotypes,
a muscling trial was undertaken using Texel and Oxford cross and High
Romney mixed sex lambs. Eighteen lambs were slaughtered from each
breed. The muscle, bone, subcutaneous and intermuscular fat were separated
from the leg and shoulder of the 54 right sides. The leg comprised on
average 64.4% lean in the High Romneys, 66.2% in the Oxford cross lambs
and 67.4% in the Texel cross lambs (p<0.05). The corresponding figure for
shoulder lean 58.8% (Romney), 59.9% (Oxford) and 62.1 (Texel) (p<0.05).
The eye muscle area (cm2) for these lambs was 9.8 (Romney), 11.0 (Oxford)
and 11.7 (Texel). The muscle:bone ratio (weights) for 4 leg muscles to the
femur were 7.0 for the Romneys, 7.6 for the Oxford and 8.3 for the Texel
cross lambs (p<0.10). Only 2 non Texel lambs were classed E under the
European classification system.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
lamb; muscling; carcass muscle; fat; bone
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
