Abstract

The carcass composition of pasture-fed crossbred ram lambs of the Finn, Texel, Oxford Down, Border Leicester and Suffolk breeds was compared at the Hopuhopu Animal Quarantine and Research Station in 1987. Early results were in close agreement with overseas studies which have highlighted the low subcutaneous fat depth of Texel crossbreds in comparison with lambs from Suffolk sires at the same carcass weight. Finn crossbreds were relatively lean subcutaneously but had relatively more kidney fat. Texel crosses showed superior eye muscle development at constant carcass weight.

IT, Kadim, RW Purchas, AL Rae, and RA Barton

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 48, , 29-32, 1988