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Evaluation of the South African Dorper as a terminal sire breed for growth, carcass, and palatability characteristics¹

G. D. Snowder^*,2,3 and S. K. Duckett

^* USDA, ARS, U. S. Sheep Experiment Station, Dubois, ID 83423 and and University of Georgia, Athens, GA 30602-2771

² Correspondence:
P.O. Box 166, Clay Center, NE 68933 (phone: 402/762-4167; fax: 402/746-4173; E-mail:
snowder{at}email.marc.usda.gov).

The South African Dorper is an important terminal meat sire breed in Africa that was recently imported into the United States. The objective of this study was to evaluate the Dorper as a terminal meat sire breed for U.S. production. Semen from purebred Dorper sires was used to artificially inseminate Columbia ewes to produce F₁ crossbred lambs. Growth and carcass characteristics of F₁ Dorper-Columbia lambs (n = 165), F₁ Suffolk-Columbia (n = 89), and purebred Columbia lambs (n = 207) were compared based on subsets of the total number of animals. The F₁ Dorper lambs grew significantly slower (313 g•d^-1) and weighed less (29.8 kg) than F₁ Suffolk- (357 g•d^-1, 33.5 kg) and Columbia-sired lambs (328 g•d^-1, 31 kg) at 77 d of age. However, at a weaning age of 118 d weaning weight and ADG did not differ (P > 0.20) among sire breed groups. Postweaning growth of F₁ Dorper (239 g•d^-1) wether lambs did not differ from that of purebred Columbia wethers (230 g•d^-1) but was less than that of F₁ Suffolk lambs (259 g•d^-1; P = 0.09). Feed efficiency did not differ among breed types. Breed types had similar dressing percentages (53%), shoulder fat depth (2.8 mm), body wall thickness (3 cm), leg conformation score (Choice), Yield grade (2.4), and Quality grade (Choice). Weight of wholesale shoulders and racks made up approximately 38% of the carcass weight in the Columbia and F₁ Suffolk-Columbia type but only 33% in the F₁ Dorper-Columbia lambs. However, the more expensive wholesale loins from F₁ Dorpers were heavier (P < 0.01) than the other breed types. Total weights of wholesale legs were similar among F₁ Dorpers and F₁ Suffolks but were heavier than those for the purebred Columbia (P < 0.05). Percentages of total wholesale primal cuts were similar among breed types (P > 0.10). Chemical composition of the carcass did not differ significantly between breed types with a mean composition of 52% moisture, 30% lipid (ether extract), 17% protein, and 0.76% ash. Warner-Bratzler shear force values were less (P < 0.05) and sensory panel ratings for tenderness were significantly more favorable for lamb chops from Dorper sired lambs. Dorper rams can be used as terminal meat sires to produce lambs whose growth rate to 118 d of weaning age, postweaning ADG and feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics are similar to that of Suffolk crossbred lambs and purebred Columbia lambs but with a slight improvement in tenderness.

Key Words: Average Daily Gain • Composition • Feed Efficiency • Sheep

This article has been cited by other articles:

				D. R. Notter, S. P. Greiner, and M. L. Wahlberg Growth and carcass characteristics of lambs sired by Dorper and Dorset rams J Anim Sci, May 1, 2004; 82(5): 1323 - 1328. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]