Understanding lambs and carcases - Eblex

sbfkdshfksdhgUnderstandinglambs & carcasesfor better returns

Many in the sheep industry are talking aboutconsistency. Returns can be improved by deliveringa product that fits the needs of the customer. Thismeans deciding which market to target, researchingit, and making breeding, feeding and productiondecisions with those market requirements in mind.This booklet highlights the good and the badin terms of carcase quality, fat levels andconformation. Its aim is to help producersunderstand the specifications of the market and toillustrate some of the factors that can effect carcasevalue and therefore producer returns.Steve PowdrillNational Selection Specialist

Handling lambsAssessing conformationSelecting animals for slaughterWeight and visual appraisal areShouldergeneral guides to an animal’sreadiness for market, but to ensureaccurate selection, handling theDock Loinlive animal is essential.Five key handling points give thebest indication of level of finishand fat class.RibBreastTo assess conformation feel the animal at the shoulder and loin. Toassess fat level, feel the animal at the dock, loin, rib, and breast.Assessing conformationShoulderLoinConformationE Spinous processesSkeletal structure of loinundetectable, fleshTransverse processcreating a veryconvex profile, verybroad shoulder areaU Spinous processes justdetectable, fleshbeginning to create aconvex profileR Spinous processes less prominent with flesh creatinga straight profile under the handO Spinous processes still prominent, less concave withsome evidence of flesh beginning to fill the handP Very prominent spinous processes evident. Very concaveprofile to the centre of the hand.Spinous process

Assessing FatnessDockLoinRib1 Individual bones very easyto detect2 Individual bones easy todetect with light pressure3 Moderate pressure todetect individual bones4 Firm pressure to detectindividual bones5 Individual bones cannotbe detected1 Very easy to feelbetween processeswhich are veryprominent2 Prominent spinousand transverseprocesses felt easily3 Tips of processes rounded. Individualbones felt as corrugations with lightpressure4 Spinous processes felt with moderatepressure. Transverse processes felt withfirm pressure5 Individual processes cannot be felt1 Individual ribs feel verybare, prominent andeasy to detect2 Individual ribs show slightcover but still easyto detect3 Individual ribs havesofter feel, with fat coverbecoming more evidentin between and overribs, which are now less easy to detect4 Individual ribs are only detectable withfirm pressure5 Individual ribs are undetectable, soft,rolling, spongy feel

Comparison between U3L and R4H– wastage comparisonU3L and R4H wastage comparisonLamb A has a higher retail value than Lamb B. Lamb B has alsoincurred additional costs in feed on the farm and processingtime at the abattoir.Kg / WholeLambLamb A - U3LKg / WholeLambLamb B - R4HTotal carcase weight 19.00 19.00Leg 4.76 4.40Shoulder 4.14 3.56Chops 2.86 2.86Chump 1.44 1.02Lap neck 2.06 2.40Total meat 15.24 14.24Trim and fat 3.76 4.76

Carcase Classification & yieldThe current gradingsystem for carcases inthe UK and Europe usesthe EUROP classificationfor conformation and anumeric assessment forfatness (classes 1-5).Combining scores forconformation and fatdetermines the marketmost suited foreach type ofcarcase.Aim for mostanimals to fallwithin the greenshaded areawhere there isgreatest demandand highestprices.Improving conformationConformation classConformation is determined by a visual appraisal of shape, taking into account carcase profile andfullness of legs. No adjustment is made for influence of fat on overall shape.Clean Sheep (NSL/OSL)Commercial Cutting DataFat classincreasing fatnessFat class 1 2 3L 3H% saleable cuts 94.87 92.95 91.52 90.56% fat trim 3.91 5.92 7.44 8.46% bone and waste 1.22 1.12 1.04 0.98

Fat is determined by visual assessment of external fat cover.There are five main classes.Class 3 and 4 are subdivided into L (leaner) and H (fatter).Market signals4L 4H 589.61 88.65 87.229.47 10.49 12.020.92 0.86 0.77• Little or no demand• Discount prices• Poorest returns• Medium demand• Average prices• Moderate returns• High UK demand• Premium prices• Best returns

Conformation differencesE3LExcellentR3LGoodP2Poor

Cut through and fat levelsR2R2LEANR3LR3LIDEALR4HR4HTOO FAT

Bruising and wool pullSensitive handling is vital for animal welfare and avoids damagethat shows up after slaughter.Sheep bruise easily, particularly young lambs.Bruising and abscesses lead to wasteful trimming and even partialcondemnation of the carcase, which in turns reduces saleability andthe amount paid to the producer.Do not:✘ handle and move sheep by grabbing wool. Thiscreates a bruise which will require trimming atthe processing plant✘ allow sheep to be trampled during transport✘ allow sheep to trample over each other in racesduring handling or selection✘ leave any sharp objects in races, trailers oron gates etcAlways:✔ use clean injection needles to avoid infection inthe skin✔ choose injection site with care (neck whereverpossible)

Does weight pay?Additional weight may pay but not if only putting on fat.If looking to add weight consider the following:• Increasing fat levels beyond optimum will have pricepenalties• Increasing weight for no return• Increase feed costs per kg produced• Reduced feed availability for sheep remaining2 3 4 52 carcase 3L carcase 4L carcasewaste 700g waste 1.50kg waste 3.00kgR3L versus R4HR3L = base price/kgR4H = - 30p/kg21kg x 30p = £6.30 loss by getting thecarcase to a R4HRemember most abattoirs only pay up to 21kgsdeadweight.Check with your outlet to find out their upper limit.Images kindly provided by Dunbia

O1ConformationProfiles straight to concave, average muscledevelopment.Legs profiles tending to be slightly concave.Loin lacking width and fullness.Shoulder tending to be narrow, lacking fullness.FatNone up to very low fat cover.External Traces of or no fat cover.Internal Abdominal: traces of or no fat visible on the kidneys.Thoracic: traces of or no fat visible between the ribs.

O2ConformationProfiles straight to concave, average muscledevelopment.Legs profiles tending to be slightly concave.Loin lacking width and fullness.Shoulder tending to be narrow, lacking fullness.FatSlight fat cover, flesh visible almost everywhere.External A slight layer of fat covers part of the carcase butmay be less evident on the loin and shoulders.There maybe a lack of firmness in the flank area.Internal Abdominal: traces of fat or a slight layer of fatenvelops part of the kidneys.Thoracic: muscle clearly visible between the ribs.

R3LConformationProfiles on the whole straight, good muscledevelopment.Legs profiles mainly straight.Loin full but less width to the shoulder.Shoulder good development, but less full.FatFlesh, with the exception of the leg and shoulder, almostentirely covered with a thin fat cover, slight deposits inthe thoracic cavity.External A layer of fat covering most or the entire carcase;slightly thickened fat zones at the base of the tail.Internal Abdominal: light layer of fat envelops the kidneys.Thoracic: muscle still visible between the ribs.

R3HConformationProfiles on the whole straight, good muscledevelopment.Legs profiles mainly straight.Loin full but less width to the shoulder.Shoulder good development, but less full.FatFlesh, with the exception of the leg and shoulder, almostentirely covered with thickening fat cover, increasingdeposits in the thoracic cavity.External A light layer of fat covering most or the entirecarcase, thickened fat zones at the base of the tail,over the chump loin and shoulder.Internal Abdominal: thicker layer of fat envelops part or allof the kidneys.Thoracic: slight fat deposits may be visiblebetween the ribs.

R4LConformationProfiles on the whole straight, good muscledevelopment.Legs profiles mainly straight.Loin full but less width to the shoulder.Shoulder good development, but less full.FatFlesh covered with fat, but still partly visible on thelegs and shoulder, some distinctive fat deposits in thethoracic cavity.External A thick layer of fat covering most or all of thecarcase but may be thinner on limbs and thickeningon shoulders.Internal Abdominal: kidney is enveloped in fat.Thoracic: muscle between the ribs may be slightlyinfiltrated with fat, fat deposits may be visibleon the ribs.

R5ConformationProfiles on the whole straight, good muscledevelopment.Legs profiles mainly straight.Loin full but less width to the shoulder.Shoulder good development, but less full.FatCarcase thickly covered with fat, heavy fat deposits inthe thoracic cavity.External Very thick fat cover, patches of fat sometimes visible.The flank will be very thick, firm to the touch withvery heavy flank fat deposits.Internal Abdominal: kidneys enveloped in thick layer of fat.Thoracic: muscle between the ribs infiltrated withfat, fat deposits visible on the ribs.

U3HConformationProfiles on the whole convex, very good muscledevelopment.Legs full, profiles convex.Loin wide and full to the shoulder.Shoulder convex and full.FatFlesh, with the exception of the leg and shoulder, almostentirely covered with thickening fat cover, increasingdeposits in the thoracic cavity.External A light layer of fat covering most or the entirecarcase, thickened fat zones at the base of the tail,over the chump loin and shoulder.Internal Abdominal: thicker layer of fat envelops part or allof the kidneys.Thoracic: slight fat deposits may be visiblebetween the ribs.

U4HConformationProfiles on the whole convex, very good muscledevelopment.Legs full, profiles convex.Loin wide and full to the shoulder.Shoulder convex and full.FatFlesh covered with fat, distinctive fat deposits in thethoracic cavity.External A thick layer of fat covering most or the entirecarcase. The flank will be thick, firm to the touchwith heavy flank fat deposits.Internal Abdominal: kidneys enveloped in fat.Thoracic: muscle between the ribs infiltrated withfat, fat deposits may be visible on the ribs.

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