Non-carcass component yield of lambs finished in distinct production systems

Abstract: The aim was to assess the effect of the production system on the yield of non-carcass components of Dorper x Santa Ines crossbred lambs. The study was carried out at the teaching and research unit of sheep and goats of the Universidade Tecnologica Federal do Parana, Campus Dois Vizinhos - PR using 24 uncastrated Dorper x Santa Ines crossbreed lambs (8 animals per treatment). The experimental design was completely randomized using three treatments with eight replicates. The treatments were: Panicum maximum cv. Aruana pasture, no shade, and no concentrate supplementation (PAss); Panicum maximum cv. Aruana pasture in the shade of Louro-Pardo Nativo trees (Cordia trichotoma) and with concentrate supplementation (PAcs); feedlot pens (COp). Carcass weight did not differ between treatments (p > 0.05). However, sheep in feedlot pens showed higher average daily weight gain. The non-carcass components differed significantly (p < 0.05), apart from the empty gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, and reproductive organs. Blood and external body components (head, skin, and limbs) showed higher weight in COp animals. The full gastrointestinal tract showed a significant difference between the treatments with the highest weight in sheep in the two pasture systems. Blood yield and weight of liver, kidneys, spleen, and heart were higher in COp animals. The production systems thus affected the total mass of non-carcass components in Dorper x Santa Ines crossbred lambs.