The aim of this study was to assess whether different grazing management affect animal performance and meat fatty acid composition. Thirty-five lambs were divided into three groups: 12 lambs grazed from 9 am to 5 pm (8h group); 11 lambs grazed from 9 am to 1 pm (4hAM group) and 12 lambs grazed from 1 pm to 5 pm (4hPM group). The trial was conducted over 72 days. The 8h lambs had greater DMI (P<0.0005) and final body weight (P<0.05) than the 4hPM and 4hAM lambs while carcass weight was not different between the three groups. The meat of the 4hPM lambs contained greater (P<0.05) percentages of polyunsaturated fatty acids, C18:2 cis-9 trans-11 and lower saturated fatty acids and C18:0 than the meat of the 8h and 4hAM lambs. It is concluded that allowing lambs to graze during the afternoon rather than during 8 h does not compromise the carcass yield and results in a healthier meat fatty acid profile.
Titolo: | Effect of morning vs. afternoon grazing on intramuscular fatty acid composition in lamb |
Autori interni: | PRIOLO, Alessandro (Penultimo) AVONDO, Marcella (Ultimo) |
Data di pubblicazione: | 2012 |
Rivista: | |
Handle: | http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/8586 |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 1.1 Articolo in rivista |