Quality of the Saanen goat carcass fed with different levels of roughage and concentrate

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of different levels of roughage (v) and concentrate (c) on the quality of Saanen goat carcasses. Thirty-two animals were used: 15 males and 17 females with initial mean weight of 16 kg. The treatments consisted of three types of rations (v:c): 20:80, 35:65 and 50:50. When an animal of determined treatment reached 23 kg of live weight, all the males of the respective treatment were slaughtered. Although no differences in daily weight gain were observed, there was a tendency of greater gains in treatments with higher levels of concentrate. Such treatments led to shorter rearing periods and consequently, the animals were younger at slaughter. Profits from cold carcasses were less than 44% on an average. Higher concentrate levels led to an increase in the consumption of ration, a higher profitability of the carcass and a higher tenderness rating. Considering the reduction in feeding costs, rations containing 50% roughage and 50% concentrate should be recommended for raising Saanen goats when slaughter is performed around 22 kg of live weight.