Carcass and non-carcass components of lambs fed with Cenchrus ciliaris and Mimosa tenuiflora

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of carcass and the non-carcass components of lambs fed with different proportions of buffel grass hay (Cenchrus ciliaris L.) and ‘jurema preta’ (Mimosa tenuiflora (Willd.) Poir.). The study was developed at the Federal University of Campina Grande, Campus of Patos-PB. Twenty-eight uncastrated lambs with initial body weight of 20 ± 2.49 kg were used. The treatments were the different proportions of ‘jurema preta’ hays (BJH) and buffel grass hay (BGH) in the bulky portion of the diet: 0% of BJH + 100% of BGH; 33% of BJH + 67% of BGH; 67% of BJH + 33% of BGH; 100% of BJH + 0% of BGH. A quadratic effect was observed for loin eye area, conformation and GR measure (“grade rule”). The thickness measurements of subcutaneous fat and marbling presented negative linear behavior, with the substitution of BGH by BJH. The substitution of BGH in the proportion of 20 to 50% by the BJH of the bulky portion in the lambs’ diet allows for a good conformation, loin eye area and non-carcass components.