Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:27:29Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-11-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:56:19Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000750793.pdf: 596929 bytes, checksum: 0ea30906721610896c29c8e1e82e3180 (MD5) / Objetivou-se avaliar as características da carcaça e de seus não componentes em cordeiros alimentados com fenode amoreira (FA) no concentrado em substituiçãoao farelo desoja e milho,além das características qualitativas de hambúrguerese linguiças elaboradas com fígadoovino. Foram utilizados 24 cordeiros com 15,48 ±0,07 kg de peso corporal alojados em baias individuais eabatidos aos 32,20 ± 0,49 kg. Os tratamentos foram: 0%FA: cana forrageira + concentrado, 12,5%FA: cana forrageira + concentrado + 12,5% defeno de amoreira na MS e 25%FA: cana forrageira + concentrado + 25%de feno de amoreirana MS. Os hambúrgueres e linguiças foram elaborados com carne de cordeiros provenientes do tratamento controle do experimento acima anterior, sem ou com (15 e 30%) inclusãode fígado ovino em substituição à carne de pescoços e costelas desossadas. Odelineamento experimental foi o inteiramente casualizadosendo os dados submetidos à análise de variância e regressãopelo programa estatístico Sisvar a 5% de significância.A inclusão do fenodeamoreira promoveu efeito linearcrescente para a profundidade do tórax, índice de musculosidade da perna e relaçãomúsculo:osso eefeito linear decrescente, para o índice de compacidade da carcaça,peso da paleta, área de olho de lombo obtida pelo ultrassom, peso e comprimento do fêmur, peso dapele e pesoe porcentagemdas extremidades dos membros. Houve efeito linear crescentepara teoresde sódio no fígado, potássio no coração e sódio, potássio, cálcio, ferro e cobre na língua de cordeiros recebendo feno de amoreira.A inclusão do fígado nos processados comcarne ovina promoveu aumento na luminosidade e efeitoquadrático para a intensidade de vermelho. As variáveis pH, capacidadede retenção de água, força de cisalhamento, oxidação lipídica no dia 0 e 45 dias, teor de gordura e sabor dos hambúrgueres tiveram efeito quadrático... / The aim of this study was to evaluate non-components and carcass traits of lambs fed concentrate containing mulberry hay (FA) as a substitute for soybean and corn. Further, qualitative traits of hamburgers and sausages made with sheep liver were evaluated. Twenty-four lambs with 15.48 ± 0.07 kg live weight were allotted in individual pens and slaughtered at 32.20 ± 0.49 kg. The treatments were: 0%FA: sugarcane forage + concentrate, 12.5%FA: sugarcane forage + concentrate + 12.5% mulberry hay, dry basis and 25%FA: sugarcane forage + concentrate + 25% mulberry hay, dry basis. The hamburgers and sausages were elaborated with lamb meat from the control treatment of the experiment cited above, with the inclusion (15 and 30%) or not of sheep liver as a substitute for neck and ribs. A completely randomized design was used and data were submitted to an analysis of variance and regression analysis using the Sisvar software with a 5% significance level. A linearly increasing for chest depth, leg muscularity and muscle: bone ratio were observed with the inclusion of mulberry hay and a linearly decreasing for carcass compactness index, palette weight, loin-eye area through ultrasound, femur weight and length, skin weight and limb percentages. A linearly increasing effect for sodium levels in the liver, potassium in the heart and sodium, potassium, iron and cupper in the tongue were observed in the lambs fed mulberry hay. An increasing luminosity and a quadratic effect for red intensity were observed with the inclusion of liver in the meat products of sheep meat. The pH, water-holding capacity, shear force, lipid oxidation at 0 and 45 days, fat level and the flavor of hamburgers showed quadratic effects...

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:28:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013-12-17Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:16:10Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000750638.pdf: 5494703 bytes, checksum: e46dce34e0ccbf550eaa5d0530ad8bca (MD5) / Foram utilizados 48 cordeiros não-castrados, sem padrão racial definido (SPRD), terminados em pasto de tifton-85 sob diferentes índices de área foliar de resíduo pós-pastejo, suplementados ou não (0,7% do peso vivo) por 5 meses, pesos iniciais entre 12 e 15 kg, idade entre 3 e 4 meses. A suplementação aumentou o peso corporal ao abate, perímetro torácico, largura da garupa e largura do tórax, com valores médios de 26,80kg, 73,65cm, 21,52cm, 20,34cm, respectivamente. O índice de área foliar não alterou as características quantitativas in vivo (peso corporal ao abate, comprimento corporal, altura do anterior, altura do posterior, perímetro torácico, largura da garupa e largura do tórax). Os animais suplementados também apresentaram maiores pesos de carcaça quente (12,14kg), peso de carcaça fria (11,58kg) e peso do corpo vazio (22,66kg) em relação aos animais que não receberam. Os demais parâmetros quantitativos da carcaça não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. As medidas da carcaça não sofreram efeito dos diferentes índices de área foliar, porém os animais que receberam suplemento apresentaram maiores comprimentos externo e interno da carcaça (51,32cm e 58,44cm), e as variáveis comprimento da perna e profundidade do tórax não sofreram influência dos tratamentos. Em relação ao peso dos cortes, os diferentes índices de área foliar não exerceram influência, no entanto os animais que receberam suplementação apresentaram cortes mais pesados. As medidas do músculo Longissimus não sofreram efeito dos diferentes tratamentos, bem como os parâmetros cor, pH, capacidade de retenção de água, perda de peso por cocção, força de cisalhamento e perfil de ácidos graxos, bem como os teores de proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, cinzas, umidade, colesterol e colágeno... / Were used 48 non-castrated lambs without defined breed (SPRD), finished on pasture Tifton-85 under different rates of leaf area after grazing residue, supplemented or not (0,7% of body weight) during 5 months, initial weights between 12 and 15kg, aged between 3 and 4 months. Supplementation increased body weight at slaughter, heart girth, hip width and chest width, with average values of 26,80kg, 73,65cm, 21,52cm, 20,34cm, respectively. The leaf area index did not alter the in vivo quantitative traits (body weight at slaughter, body length, height of anterior hip height , heart girth, hip width and chest width). Supplemented animals also had higher hot carcass weight (12,14 kg), cold carcass weight (11,58 kg) and empty body weight (22,66kg) compared to animals that did not receive. The other quantitative parameters of the carcass were not affected by treatments. Measures of housing did not affect the different rates of leaf area, however, the animals that received supplementation showed higher external and internal lengths of casing (51,32cm and 58,44cm), and the variables length of leg and depth of the chest did not suffer influence of treatments. Regarding the weight of the cuts, the different rates of leaf area did not influence, however the animals that received supplementation showed heavier cuts. Measures of longissimus not suffer effect of different treatments, as well as the parameters color, pH, water holding capacity, weight loss by cooking, shearing force and fatty acid profile, as well as crude protein extract ethereal, ash, moisture, cholesterol and collagen...

Orientador: Rafael Silvio Bonilha Pinheiro / Co-orientador: Heloiza Ferreira Alves do Prado / Banca: Antonio Carlos Homem Junior / Banca: Nivea Maria Brancacci Lopes Zeola / Resumo: Foi avaliada a qualidade dos cortes cárneos contrafilé (Longissimus dorsi), picanha (Biceps femoris), coração da paleta (Triceps brachii) e filé-mignon (Psoas major), provenientes de cordeiros terminados em confinamento. As carnes foram embaladas a vácuo e, em seguida, analisadas após 30 horas (carne refrigerada a 6°C) do abate e maturadas (2 ̊C) por 3, 7 e 14 dias. Foram realizadas análises qualitativas da carne, determinando-se pH, cor, oxidação lipídica, capacidade de retenção de água, força de cisalhamento, exsudato, perda por gotejamento, evaporação e cocção; também foi realizada análise sensorial da carne in natura, maturada por 3 e 7 dias. O delineamento experimental da análise sensorial foi o inteiramente casualizado, tendo 4 tratamentos (Longissimus dorsi, Biceps femoris, Triceps brachii e Psoas major) e 30 repetições (provadores); nas demais análises, o delineamento foi também o inteiramente casualizado, tendo 4 tratamentos constituídos por carne in natura, maturada por 3, 7 e 14 dias, com 8 repetições por tratamento. A coloração das carnes apresentou alterações, evidenciando-se tonalidade alaranjada e escurecimento com a maturação. A quantidade de exsudato presente na embalagem aumentou com a maturação; as perdas apresentaram diferenças com a maturação, tendo o valor menor no nono dia, 30,53 e 33,58, respectivamente, por evaporação e cocção. A menor capacidade de retencão de água foi 57,60, no oitavo dia. A maturação promoveu aumento da maciez; a máxima maciez foi obtida na carne maturada por 14 dias, 4,32 kgf/cm 2 . Os valores de pH e oxidação lipídica encontrados estão em acordo com o preconizado na literatura; respectivamente, sendo o máximo de 5,69, no quarto dia, e 0,29 mg malonaldeído/kg de amostra, no nono dia. Qualquer alteração relativa à cor da carne é indesejável, podendo acarretar prejuízos à comercialização, pois, a ... / Abstract: It was evaluated the quality of sirloin (Longissimus dorsi), top sirloin cap (Biceps femoris), heart of beef shoulder (Triceps brachii) and tenderloin (Psoas major) cuts from lambs treated in feedlot. The meat was vacuous packed and analyzed after 30 hours from the slaughter (meat refrigerated at 6o C) and maturation (2o C) for 3, 7 and 14 days. Qualitative meat analysis were made determining the pH, color, lipid oxidation, water retain capacity, power of shearing stress, exudate, drip loss, evaporation and cooking; sensorial analysis in natura meat matured for 3 and 7 days were also made. The experimental design of sensory analysis was totally randomized, were made with 4 treatments (Longissimus dorsi, Biceps femoris, Tríceps brachii and Psoas major) and 30 repetitions (tasters); the other analyses the design in totally randomized with 4 treatments with in natura meat, matured for 3, 7 and 14 days, with 8 repetitions per treatment. The meat coloring alternated, all of them presented orange hue and darkening after matured. The quantity of exudate in the package raises in the maturation process. The losses presented difference in the maturation, the lower value was on the ninth day, 30.53 and 33.58 for evaporation and cooking respectively. The lower capacity of water retain was 57.60 on the eighth day. The maturation increased the softness, the maximun level was obtained in the meat matured for 14 days, 4.32 kgf/cm. The pH values and lipid oxidation identified are according to the recommended ones in the literature, the maximum was 5.69 on the fourth day and 0.29 mg of the malonaldehyde/kg sample on the ninth day. The undesirable modification on the color of the meat may not be good for the commercialization because it is one of the requirements analyzed by the consumers when they buy it. The loss of meat liquid is also undesirable because it reduces the weight of the meat; as it is ... / Mestre

Orientadora: Hirasilva Borba / Banca: Emanuel Almeida de Oliveira / Banca: Greicy Mitzi Bezerra Moreno / Resumo: Foram utilizados 48 cordeiros não-castrados, sem padrão racial definido (SPRD), terminados em pasto de tifton-85 sob diferentes índices de área foliar de resíduo pós-pastejo, suplementados ou não (0,7% do peso vivo) por 5 meses, pesos iniciais entre 12 e 15 kg, idade entre 3 e 4 meses. A suplementação aumentou o peso corporal ao abate, perímetro torácico, largura da garupa e largura do tórax, com valores médios de 26,80kg, 73,65cm, 21,52cm, 20,34cm, respectivamente. O índice de área foliar não alterou as características quantitativas in vivo (peso corporal ao abate, comprimento corporal, altura do anterior, altura do posterior, perímetro torácico, largura da garupa e largura do tórax). Os animais suplementados também apresentaram maiores pesos de carcaça quente (12,14kg), peso de carcaça fria (11,58kg) e peso do corpo vazio (22,66kg) em relação aos animais que não receberam. Os demais parâmetros quantitativos da carcaça não foram influenciados pelos tratamentos. As medidas da carcaça não sofreram efeito dos diferentes índices de área foliar, porém os animais que receberam suplemento apresentaram maiores comprimentos externo e interno da carcaça (51,32cm e 58,44cm), e as variáveis comprimento da perna e profundidade do tórax não sofreram influência dos tratamentos. Em relação ao peso dos cortes, os diferentes índices de área foliar não exerceram influência, no entanto os animais que receberam suplementação apresentaram cortes mais pesados. As medidas do músculo Longissimus não sofreram efeito dos diferentes tratamentos, bem como os parâmetros cor, pH, capacidade de retenção de água, perda de peso por cocção, força de cisalhamento e perfil de ácidos graxos, bem como os teores de proteína bruta, extrato etéreo, cinzas, umidade, colesterol e colágeno... / Abstract: Were used 48 non-castrated lambs without defined breed (SPRD), finished on pasture Tifton-85 under different rates of leaf area after grazing residue, supplemented or not (0,7% of body weight) during 5 months, initial weights between 12 and 15kg, aged between 3 and 4 months. Supplementation increased body weight at slaughter, heart girth, hip width and chest width, with average values of 26,80kg, 73,65cm, 21,52cm, 20,34cm, respectively. The leaf area index did not alter the in vivo quantitative traits (body weight at slaughter, body length, height of anterior hip height , heart girth, hip width and chest width). Supplemented animals also had higher hot carcass weight (12,14 kg), cold carcass weight (11,58 kg) and empty body weight (22,66kg) compared to animals that did not receive. The other quantitative parameters of the carcass were not affected by treatments. Measures of housing did not affect the different rates of leaf area, however, the animals that received supplementation showed higher external and internal lengths of casing (51,32cm and 58,44cm), and the variables length of leg and depth of the chest did not suffer influence of treatments. Regarding the weight of the cuts, the different rates of leaf area did not influence, however the animals that received supplementation showed heavier cuts. Measures of longissimus not suffer effect of different treatments, as well as the parameters color, pH, water holding capacity, weight loss by cooking, shearing force and fatty acid profile, as well as crude protein extract ethereal, ash, moisture, cholesterol and collagen... / Mestre

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar o comportamento do consumidor de carne ovina considerando a percepção de qualidade através das pistas e atributos de qualidade. Foram utilizados dois métodos de entrevistas: presencial com consumidores de uma loja especializada em carnes na cidade de Porto Alegre, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, e questionários online. Ao total, foram entrevistadas 207 pessoas, sendo que 100 responderam o questionário no formato presencial e 107 no formato online. O questionário aplicado nas entrevistas foi classificado como estruturado e possuía cinco partes. A primeira, relacionada ao hábito de consumo de carnes de uma maneira em geral, a segunda parte, ao hábito de consumo da carne ovina, a terceira, relacionada ao hábito de consumo dos compradores de carne ovina, a quarta parte, sobre os estilos de vida dos entrevistados e a quinta e última referente a características sóciodemográficas. A terceira parte era apenas respondida por aqueles consumidores que também eram compradores de carne ovina. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do software Standards Aligned System SAS/STAT 9.2, a partir do procedimento GLIMMIX (GLMM) (SAS, 2008). Inicialmente foi feita uma distribuição de frequência dos dados obtidos e posteriormente, foi analisada a possibilidade da formação de Clusters. Para a caracterização e melhor descrição de cada cluster utilizou-se a Análise Discriminante (STEPDISC), porém a estatística mostrou que não havia o nível de confiança suficiente para a formação de clusters. Na continuação da análise, foi realizada uma correspondência (The CORRESP procedure) e por último uma regressão estatística entre as variáveis, frequência de consumo e faixa etária, correlacionando a informação com as perguntas relacionadas aos atributos de qualidade. Os resultados obtidos demonstram uma tendência da carne ovina ser consumida pelo sexo masculino. No momento da compra, os homens e aqueles entrevistados que se encontraram na faixa etária de 31 a 40 anos possuíam maior disposição em participar na compra de carnes. As pistas de qualidade mais importantes nos atributos de busca em relação à frequência de consumo foram a cor e a gordura externa, e as que foram consideradas de mais baixa importância foram a marca e a propaganda. Nos atributos de confiança, a origem e a categoria do animal foram as mais importantes em relação à frequência de consumo. A influência da idade na percepção dos atributos de busca segue o mesmo comportamento da frequência de consumo, destacando que a gordura possui uma importância maior nas faixas etárias mais jovens. No caso dos consumidores com mais idade, estes dão maior importância para a embalagem e para as variedades de cortes. No atributo de confiança, as quatro pistas de qualidade possuíram maior importância para os consumidores mais jovens e as pistas de experiência seguem o mesmo comportamento. / The aim of this study was to analyze the consumer behavior of lamb meet considering the perception of quality cues and its quality attributes. Two interview methods were used: face-to-face interviews with consumers of a butcher boutique located in the city of Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, and online questionnaires. In total, 207 people were interviewed in which 100 people answered the face-to-face questionnaire and a 107 the online questionnaire. The questionnaire applied in the interviews is classified as structured and owns five chapters. The first one related to the habits of meat consume in a general way, the second chapter, considers the habits of lamb meat consume, the third chapter, regards the habits of lamb consume buyers, the fourth chapter, investigates about interviewers lifestyle and the fifth and last chapter refers to socio demographic characteristics. The third chapter was only answered by those consumers who actually were also buyers of lamb meet. The statistical analysis was performed using the Standards Aligned System software SAS / STAT 9.2, The GLIMMIX Procedure (GLMM) (SAS, 2008). Initially, a frequency distribution of data obtained was made and subsequently the possibility of forming clusters analyzed. To better characterize and descript clusters the Discriminant Analysis (STEPDISC) was used, however, statistical shows there was no sufficient confidence level for the formation of clusters. In further analysis, we performed a data correspondence (The CORRESP procedure) and finally a statistic regression between variables, frequency of meat consumes and age group, correlating the information with the questioning related to the quality attributes. The results show that there is a trend in lamb consume that are higher between male sex representatives. At the specific moment of purchase, men and those respondents who are within the age group of 31 to 40 years have a higher willingness to participate in the purchase of meat. The quality cues most important in search quality attributes regarding the frequency of consumption were the color and external fat and those considered of lower importance were branding and advertising. In confidence attributes, origin and animal category were the most important in relation to the frequency of consumption. The influence of age in the perception of search attributes follows the same behavior of frequency of use, highlighting that fat having a great importance within the younger age groups. For older consumers, the packaging and to the varieties of cuts have greater importance. When analyzing confidence attributes, the four quality cues are the ones with greater importance to youngest consumers group and the experience cues follows the same behavior.

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi analisar o comportamento do consumidor de carne ovina considerando a percepção de qualidade através das pistas e atributos de qualidade. Foram utilizados dois métodos de entrevistas: presencial com consumidores de uma loja especializada em carnes na cidade de Porto Alegre, Estado do Rio Grande do Sul, e questionários online. Ao total, foram entrevistadas 207 pessoas, sendo que 100 responderam o questionário no formato presencial e 107 no formato online. O questionário aplicado nas entrevistas foi classificado como estruturado e possuía cinco partes. A primeira, relacionada ao hábito de consumo de carnes de uma maneira em geral, a segunda parte, ao hábito de consumo da carne ovina, a terceira, relacionada ao hábito de consumo dos compradores de carne ovina, a quarta parte, sobre os estilos de vida dos entrevistados e a quinta e última referente a características sóciodemográficas. A terceira parte era apenas respondida por aqueles consumidores que também eram compradores de carne ovina. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio do software Standards Aligned System SAS/STAT 9.2, a partir do procedimento GLIMMIX (GLMM) (SAS, 2008). Inicialmente foi feita uma distribuição de frequência dos dados obtidos e posteriormente, foi analisada a possibilidade da formação de Clusters. Para a caracterização e melhor descrição de cada cluster utilizou-se a Análise Discriminante (STEPDISC), porém a estatística mostrou que não havia o nível de confiança suficiente para a formação de clusters. Na continuação da análise, foi realizada uma correspondência (The CORRESP procedure) e por último uma regressão estatística entre as variáveis, frequência de consumo e faixa etária, correlacionando a informação com as perguntas relacionadas aos atributos de qualidade. Os resultados obtidos demonstram uma tendência da carne ovina ser consumida pelo sexo masculino. No momento da compra, os homens e aqueles entrevistados que se encontraram na faixa etária de 31 a 40 anos possuíam maior disposição em participar na compra de carnes. As pistas de qualidade mais importantes nos atributos de busca em relação à frequência de consumo foram a cor e a gordura externa, e as que foram consideradas de mais baixa importância foram a marca e a propaganda. Nos atributos de confiança, a origem e a categoria do animal foram as mais importantes em relação à frequência de consumo. A influência da idade na percepção dos atributos de busca segue o mesmo comportamento da frequência de consumo, destacando que a gordura possui uma importância maior nas faixas etárias mais jovens. No caso dos consumidores com mais idade, estes dão maior importância para a embalagem e para as variedades de cortes. No atributo de confiança, as quatro pistas de qualidade possuíram maior importância para os consumidores mais jovens e as pistas de experiência seguem o mesmo comportamento. / The aim of this study was to analyze the consumer behavior of lamb meet considering the perception of quality cues and its quality attributes. Two interview methods were used: face-to-face interviews with consumers of a butcher boutique located in the city of Porto Alegre, state of Rio Grande do Sul, and online questionnaires. In total, 207 people were interviewed in which 100 people answered the face-to-face questionnaire and a 107 the online questionnaire. The questionnaire applied in the interviews is classified as structured and owns five chapters. The first one related to the habits of meat consume in a general way, the second chapter, considers the habits of lamb meat consume, the third chapter, regards the habits of lamb consume buyers, the fourth chapter, investigates about interviewers lifestyle and the fifth and last chapter refers to socio demographic characteristics. The third chapter was only answered by those consumers who actually were also buyers of lamb meet. The statistical analysis was performed using the Standards Aligned System software SAS / STAT 9.2, The GLIMMIX Procedure (GLMM) (SAS, 2008). Initially, a frequency distribution of data obtained was made and subsequently the possibility of forming clusters analyzed. To better characterize and descript clusters the Discriminant Analysis (STEPDISC) was used, however, statistical shows there was no sufficient confidence level for the formation of clusters. In further analysis, we performed a data correspondence (The CORRESP procedure) and finally a statistic regression between variables, frequency of meat consumes and age group, correlating the information with the questioning related to the quality attributes. The results show that there is a trend in lamb consume that are higher between male sex representatives. At the specific moment of purchase, men and those respondents who are within the age group of 31 to 40 years have a higher willingness to participate in the purchase of meat. The quality cues most important in search quality attributes regarding the frequency of consumption were the color and external fat and those considered of lower importance were branding and advertising. In confidence attributes, origin and animal category were the most important in relation to the frequency of consumption. The influence of age in the perception of search attributes follows the same behavior of frequency of use, highlighting that fat having a great importance within the younger age groups. For older consumers, the packaging and to the varieties of cuts have greater importance. When analyzing confidence attributes, the four quality cues are the ones with greater importance to youngest consumers group and the experience cues follows the same behavior.

American lambs are often over-finished and lack consistent quality. It has been suggested that the use of intact ram lambs can decrease USDA YG and improve growth efficiency. However, ram lamb carcasses are underutilized because of potential issues, the most crucial being off-flavor development. Our hypothesis for this study is that U.S. producers can take advantage of intact ram lamb growth and performance with no detriment to product quality, as long as lambs are slaughtered before the attainment of puberty. Three breeds (Hampshire, Dorset, and Columbia), three slaughter weights (light, medium, and heavy) and two sexes (rams and wethers) were evaluated. Results indicate that ram lambs can provide a satisfactory eating experience, however, in one of our studies compounding of maturity and slaughtering intact rams increased incidence of off-flavors. It remains undetermined whether the small differences in sensory characteristics would be detectable by everyday consumers.

No description available.

Fifty-nine mature "Western" (Suffolk x Rambouillet) and 71 mature ¼ - Finn (Suffolk x Finn-Rambouillet) ewes were bred to Suffolk-Hampshire rams to lamb in either spring (March) or fall (September). Effects of ewe breed type and lambing season on ewe fertility (ewes lambing/ewes exposed), prolificacy (lambs born/ewe lambing) and lambing date, and on lamb birth weight, 30-d survival, and average daily gain (ADG) to 55 d and to weaning were evaluated. Fertility was higher in spring than in fall (94 vs 64%, P<.01). Use of %-Finn ewes tended to increase fertility in fall lambing (69 vs 59%, P<.25) but not in spring (94 vs 93%). Use of ¼ -Finn increased prolificacy by .36 lambs; fall lambing reduced prolificacy by .49 lambs. Lambs of Western ewes were born 5 d later (P<.01) and .6 Ib heavier (P<.001) than lambs of ¼ -Finn ewes. Lamb survival and ADG to 55 d and to weaning were not affected by ewe breed. Season affected ADG: fallborn lambs grew faster to 55 d (P< .05) and to weaning (P< .001) than spring-born lambs, attributable to differences in environmental factors. Effect of weaning on growth of spring-born lambs grazing summer pasture was analyzed. Spring lambs weaned at 90 d of age to graze independently grew more slowly and were older at market weight than lambs remaining with their dams on native perennial pastures (.24 vs .42 lb/d, P<.001; 201 vs 186 d of age, P<.001). Use of millet (Pennisetum americanum [L.] Leeke) as annual mid-summer forage and turnip (Brassica rapa L.) as annual late-fall forage were investigated. Dry ewes grazing millet lost weight in one yr, but averaged .23 Ib/d gain in a second yr; weaned lambs grazing pearl millet averaged .32 lb/d gain over 2 yr. Lactating and dry ewes grazing turnip had average weight changes of -.37 and +.11 lb/d, respectively. Budgets for production systems were constructed. Variable revenues and expenses for all combinations of ewe breed type, lambing season, weaning treatment, and annual forage use were integrated into an annual production system. The most profitable production systems were those that exhibited the greatest reproductive efficiency, required the least drylot time to finish lambs, and maximized use of perennial pastures. / Master of Science

Thesis (MScAgric)--Stellenbosch University, 2012. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In many parts of the world, soil is depleted of selenium (Se), leading to selenium-poor plants, animals and, therefore, humans. It was recognised that a study to examine the functionality of new products on the market to address this problem was required. The purpose of this research were threefold: to compare the effects of sodium selenite (NaSe) and organically bound selenium sources on small ruminant performance, to investigate the bioavailability of these Se sources, and analyse their influence on carcass characteristics, meat quality and antioxidant capabilities. Fourty growing Döhne Merino wethers from the Southern Cape region, a selenium-deficient area, were used for the study. The animals were all fed the same basal diet in the adaptation period and were then allocated to one of four treatment groups: Control (CT), inorganic selenium (IS), organically bound Se A (OSA) or B: (OSB). The period of supplementation was 90 days. This first study assessed the effect of the different Se sources on growth and Se bioavailability in the wethers. The wethers and the feed they consumed were regularly weighed to determine their growth and feed conversion rate (FCR) in the trial period. To gauge their Se level, blood samples were collected via jugular venipuncture at monthly intervals. The wool around the jugular was shorn and samples were collected on day 0 and day 90 for comparative Se level analysis. Liver, skeletal muscle and kidney samples were collected at day 90, directly after slaughter, to determine the Se level in these tissues. No effect could be reported in the growth and FCR of the wethers between the supplementation groups. For whole blood Se levels there was an effect in the early part of the study, with a greater increase in Se levels for the organically bound Se groups, but in the end no effect on whole blood levels could be seen between the different Se treatments. Neither could any difference between the inorganic Se and organic bound Se treatments be found in the liver – however, the total Se concentration of the wool, kidney and meat samples was greater in those animals offered organically bound Se when compared with those receiving a comparable dose of inorganic Se. The second study evaluated the antioxidant capabilities of the different Se supplements in the wethers. Blood samples were taken monthly for plasma collection to test for Glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity and total antioxidative capacity (TAC) with the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay. Liver, skeletal muscle and kidney samples were collected at day 90, immediately after slaughter and measured for GSH-Px activity. With TAC, there was a significant effect for the treatment period between day 0 and day 90, however the treatments did not show any significant difference. No significant differences could be established between the different Se treatments for the GSH-Px analysis in any of the tissues. For the mean plasma values of the treatments no significant differences can be reported, but a significant difference was observed at day 30 in the contrast between the organically bound Se and the other treatment groups. The third study was to evaluate the quality and lipid oxidation of muscle from those wethers supplemented with different Se sources. Skeletal muscle samples were collected at day 90, directly after slaughter to determine this. No differences in the meat quality of the wethers could be detected between Se sources after the 90-day supplementation period. Lipid oxidation was measured by determining TBA reactive substances (TBARS) and once again no differences could be detected. Based on the results found in this investigation, it may be inferred that organically bound Se (OSA & OSB) supplementation will hold a number of advantages for small ruminants over inorganic Se supplementation. Animals fed the organically bound Se had reached adequate Se levels sooner on the organically bounded treatments than the inorganically bounded treated animals. The greater bioavailability of organically bounded Se over inorganic Se was proven by the increased Se levels in certain tissues and organs. Additionally, only the organically bounded Se could find a pathway to the wool, confirming that it was carried in an organic form (probably selenomethionine) in the body. Organically bound Se will therefore have a positive impact on small ruminant health and production, which will result in an indirect advantage for consumer health. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die grond in groot dele van die wêreld word selenium-arm en dit lei na selenium-arm plante, diere en mense. Dit is waargeneem dat ‘n studie wat kyk na die funksionaliteit van nuwe produkte op die mark om die probleem aan te spreek nodig is. Die doelwit van die studie was om verskillende selenium (Se) bronne te vergelyk en die uitwerking daarvan op klein herkouer prestasie te evalueer. Daar is gekyk na die biobeskikbaarheid, invloed daarvan op die karkas eienskappe en antioksidant vermoëns van die verskillende Se bronne. Veertig groeiende Dohne Merino-hamels van die Suid-Kaap-streek, 'n Se arm gebied is gebruik vir die studie. Die diere is almal dieselfde basale dieet gevoer in die aanpassing periode en dan toegeken aan een van vier behandelings: kontrole (CT), anorganiese Se (IS), organies gebinde Se A (OSA) of B: (OSB). Die tydperk van die aanvulling was 90 dae. In die eerste studie is gekyk na die effek van die verskillende bronne van Se op die groei en die biobeskikbaarheid daarvan aan die hamels. Die hamels en voer verbruik, is gereeld geweeg sodat hul groei en voer omset verhouding (VOV) in die proef tydperk te bepaal. Bloedmonsters is versamel deur middel van die jugulêre venipuncture vir die Se vlak bepaling daarvan. Lewer, skeletspier en nier monsters is versamel op dag 90, direk na die slagting vir die Se vlak bepaling. Die wol rondom die nekslagaar is geskeer en monsters is versamel op dag 0 en 90 vir Se vlak analise. Geen effek kan gerapporteer word vir die groei en VOV van die hamels tydens die aanvullings periode nie. Vir die bloed Se vlakke was daar 'n uitwerking in die vroeë deel van die studie, met 'n vinniger toename in Se vlakke vir die organies gebinde Se groepe, maar aan die einde kon geen effek gesien word tussen die verskillende Se behandelings nie. Geen verskil tussen die NaSe en organiese gebonde Se behandelings kon gevind word in die lewer nie. Die totale Se konsentrasie van die wol-, nier-en vleis