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Evaluation of the Seventh Rib Probe and Body Weight as Predictors of Carcass Traits in Hampshire Lambs¹

University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706

Abstract

Two hundred and eighty-nine Hampshire ram lambs were slaughtered over a 3-year period at about 45 kg live weight. Live weight and seventh rib probe were recorded at 48, 69 and 90 days of age and 1 day prior to slaughter. Shrunk live weight was recorded just before slaughter. Multiple regression analyses were carried out on a within year, birth type and selection group basis.

The results showed that shrunk live weight was the best single predictor of weight of trimmed hind saddle (r=0.72), weight of fat trim from the hind saddle (r=0.40) and loin eye area (r=0.33). Multiple regression equations for predicting weight of trimmed hind saddle and fat trim from combinations of live animal measurements are presented. These two carcass end points were also adjusted to a constant carcass weight and the predictive value of live animal measurements evaluated. It was concluded from these data that the seventh rib probe was a poor predictor of weight of adjusted fat trim or weight of adjusted trimmed hind saddle. The phenotypic association of the seventh rib probe and percent trimmed hind saddle in this study is lower than that reported by Spurlock et al. (1966). It is pointed out that these results may be a function of lower variability in these data compared to those of Spurlock et al. (1966), a different breed of sheep and perhaps the method of probing in this study.

¹ Paper from the Department of Genetics No. 1452 and the Department of Meat and Animal Science No. 590. University of Wisconsin, published with the approval of the Director of Agricultural Experiment Station in cooperation with the Cooperative State Research Service and Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, North Central Regional Project 50.

² Credit is given to R. T. Wardell for collection of the data in 1966, and the Meat Science Laboratory for providing facilities for slaughtering these animals and collecting data.