The effect of breed on the value of lamb carcasses for the export trade

Abstract

Animal Production in Australia 1998 Vol. 22 THE EFFECT OF BREED ON THE VALUE OF LAMB CARCASSES FOR THE EXPORT TRADE G.M. GAUNT, P.A. KENNEY and G.R. FERRIER Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture Victoria, Rutherglen, Vic 3685 Production research in the Australian prime lamb industry has been aimed at supplying larger, leaner carcasses needed for new products in the modern market place (Thatcher 1992). Concomitant with production advances has been the development of successful export trades into North America, Asia and the Pacific. To minimise costs on a per kg basis and increase efficiency in processing plants, carcass weights have to rise (Hill 1992). In addition, lamb carcasses should provide the highest yield of premium priced cuts (eye fillets, tenderloin, ribloin, etc), and least yield of low priced components (trim, bone, etc.). The aim of this work was to examine the effect of sire and breed on the commercial value of a range of cuts prepared for the export market from lamb carcasses of greater than 20 kg weight . Cryptorchid and ewe lambs (n=279) were slaughtered at a commercial processor. Lambs were progeny of Border Leicester x Merino ewes joined to 31 sires considered to be the elite of 11 different breeds. At a commercial boning room, carcasses were processed into hind leg, ribloin racks, midloin eye fillets, midloin tenderloins and forequarter cuts for boxed export trade. Multiple linear regression analysis (Genstat 5, Release 3.1) was used to predict the value of cuts. Breed, sex, age, cold carcass weight and GR tissue depth were included in the regression models. Estimates of values for the cuts were based on export prices provided by the processor at the time of processing. Total value includes value for fat, bone, lean trim shank and flap. Table 1 shows the predicted value of a range of cuts, and the total value, from sires representing 11 breeds. The Coolalee produced less (P=0.004) valuable legs but more (P=0.048) ribloin value than the other sires. The Coolalee, Suffolk and White Suffolk produced significantly less eye fillet value than lambs from other sires. Highest total value was realised in the Corriedale progeny. Table 1. Predicted dollar values (� s.e.) of leg, ribloin, eye fillet, tenderloin, forequar ter and total value from 11 breeds Breed A Sires n Hind leg 11.46 11.19 10.89 11.44 11.15 11.36 11.31 11.42 11.68 11.48 11.54 (0.13) (0.13) (0.14) (0.14) (0.13) (0.04) (0.13) (0.09) (0.06) (0.13) (0.05) Ribloin 8.77 9.29 9.57 8.67 8.86 8.80 9.43 8.85 8.57 8.24 8.90 (0.28) (0.28) (0.30) (0.29) (0.28) (0.09) (0.28) (0.20) (0.14) (0.28) (0.11) Export cut value Eye fillet 6.54 6.35 5.86 6.34 6.24 6.28 6.11 5.83 6.09 5.98 5.81 (0.22) (0.22) (0.24) (0.23) (0.22) (0.07) (0.22) (0.16) (0.11) (0.22) (0.08) Tenderloin 1.65 1.46 1.39 1.44 1.33 1.43 1.55 1.45 1.37 1.49 1.43 (0.09) (0.09) (0.10) (0.10) (0.09) (0.03) (0.09) (0.06) (0.04) (0.09) (0.03) Forequarter 4.42 4.50 4.66 4.27 4.46 4.44 4.42 4.41 4.55 4.81 4.49 (0.09) (0.09) (0.09) (0.09) (0.09) (0.03) (0.09) (0.06) (0.04) (0.09) (0.03) Total value 35.55 36.88 36.47 36.92 36.11 36.08 36.38 35.90 36.26 35.69 35.74 (0.67) (0.65) (0.65) (0.69) (0.64) (0.21) (0.64) (0.46) (0.31) (0.65) (0.25) SfxPD SfxPDxT Cool Corr DD PD SHD Suff Te x TxPD WS A 1 1 1 1 1 10 1 2 5 1 7 SfxPD, SuffolkxPoll Dorset; SfxPDxT, SuffolkxPoll DorsetxTexel; Cool, Coolalee; Corr, Corriedale; DD, Dorset Down; PD, Poll Dorset; SHD, South Hampshire Down; Suff, Suffolk; Tex, Texel; TxPD; TexelxPoll Dorset; WS, White Suffolk Maximum return from carcasses is dependent on the greatest production of cuts with highest value. While the current work is limited because some breeds are represented by only one sire, the study shows the variability between sires and breeds in their economic efficiency in supplying export markets. The Australian prime lamb industry should aim to produce sires which are efficient producers of high value cuts for modern markets. HILL,W. (1992). Proc. Aust. Soc. Anim. Prod. 19, 175-6. THATCHER, L.P. (1992). Proc. Aust. Soc. Anim. Prod. 19, 173. 305