Pre-weaning growth, carcass traits and sensory evaluation of Corriedale, Corriedale Pampinta and Pampinta lambs

Birth weight (BW), weaning weight (WW), preweaning weight gain (PWG), carcass traits and sensory evaluation of meat of Corriedale (C), Pampinta (P) and their Fl crossbred (P C) lambs were studied from 1991 to 1993 at the Agricultural Experimental Station of Anguil (La Pampa, Argentina). Each year the trial involved an average of 35 C, 43 P and 36 P C. Data were analyzed for year, genotype, sex and birth type and their interactions as ®xed effects and birth weight and lamb age as covariables. The effects of genotype, sex, age and birth type were generally signi®cant (P < 0.05). P lambs had the heaviest (P < 0.03) BW (4.75 vs 4.26 kg for C and 4.30 kg for P C). Means for WW (33.4 kg) and PWG (295 g) of P were higher than those for C (24.6 kg and 218 g) and P C (27.7 kg and 245 g). Means for the latter genotype were signi®cantly higher than those for C. Carcass analysis showed smaller (P < 0.05) total fat and higher (P < 0.05) muscle percentages in P and P C lambs compared to C. No differences were detected in sensory evaluation between genotypes. Meat from the three groups had a slightly intense ̄avor, was rather juicy, tender and practically without connective tissues. These results suggest that utilization of P genotype may be effective to produce early ®nished lean lambs. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.