Feedlot performance and carcass characteristics of small, medium and large frame wethers backgrounded on wheat pasture
Nichols, M.E.; Dolezal, H.G.; Fitch, G.Q.; Phillips, W.A.
Animal Science Research Report, Agricultural Experiment Station, Oklahoma State University (MP-136): 347-354
1992
Accession: 002382011
From 7 months old 170 crossbred wethers, selected from 2000, were divided into small, medium and large frame groups. Lambs were weighed, grazed on wheat pasture for 105 days then serially slaughtered at 14-day intervals during a 56-day finishing phase. About 24 h postmortem, all factors affecting USDA quality and yield grades were recorded. Frame size had no effect on overall gains on pasture, but small frame lambs gained less than their counterparts for the 56-day feedlot period. At constant slaughter weight (105 1b), small frame lambs had higher dressing percentages, heavier carcasses, more external and internal fat and larger ribeyes than medium or large frame lambs.