Influence of Type (Wooled or Hair) and Breed on Growth and Carcass Characteristics and Sensory Properties of Lamb

Comparisons were made between 12 Barbados Blackbelly and 12 St. Croix ram lambs (hair types) and 10 Florida Native and 12 crossbred ram lambs (wooled types) for growth, carcass characteristics and sensory panel evaluation scores. In addition, 14 predominantly hair and 14 predominantly wooled crossbred ram lambs were compared for carcass characteristics and sensory panel evaluation scores. The hair sheep had a lower rate of gain than the wooled types. The wooled breeds and predominantly wooled crossbreds were heavier and graded higher than the hair breeds and predominantly hair types. The sensory panel found the meat acceptable (tenderness, juiciness, flavor and acceptability) from all breeds.