@conference {40815,
	title = {Growth and carcass characteristics of lambs sired by Texel, Oxford Down and Suffolk rams},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {56},
	year = {1996},
	month = {Jan},
	pages = {201-204},
	publisher = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	organization = {New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	abstract = {Three hundred and twelve lambs (160 ram, 152 ewe) sired by Texel (n  = 118), Oxford Down (n = 94) and Suffolk (n = 100) rams and out of  Romney ewes were grazed at Poukawa Research Station, Hastings, to  evaluate comparative growth characteristics and carcass composition.  Lambs were sourced from a range of commercial properties and sires.  Representative samples from each breed and sex were slaughtered after 84,  112 and 145 days on trial. Fasted liveweight gain were significantly (P<0.001) higher for Suffolk-cross  (107 g/d) and Oxford Down-cross (101 g/d) lambs than for Texel-cross  lambs (84 g/d). At a constant hot carcass weight (HCW) of 19.2 kg, Texel-cross lambs had a  significantly (P<0.01) lower GR (mean 12.0 mm) than Suffolk-cross (14.1  mm) and Oxford Down-cross (13.3 mm) lambs.  Carcasses were boned to a commercial specification which maximised the  removal of bone and fat. At a carcass weight (CW) of 19.2 kg Texel-cross  lambs had a significantly (P<0.001) higher saleable meat yield (SMY; 647  g/kg CW) than Suffolk-cross (634 g/kg) and Oxford Down-cross (629 g/kg)  lambs. Texel-cross and Oxford Down-cross lambs had a higher proportion  of the SMY in high value cuts (HVC) than Suffolk-cross lambs. At a CW of  19.2 kg Suffolk-cross lambs (395 g HVC/kg SMY) had a lower yield than  Texel-cross (402 g/kg; P<0.001) and Oxford Down-cross (400 g/kg; P<0.05)  lambs. There was no breed by sex interaction, but ewe lambs yielded a  significantly higher proportion of HVC in their SMY (402 v 396 g/kg for  ewe and ram lambs respectively, P<0.001). At a CW of 19.2 kg eye muscle area was significantly higher (P<0.001) for  Texel-cross lambs (13.5 cm2) than for Suffolk-cross and Oxford Down- cross (both 12.7 cm2) lambs, with no sex differences.},
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Cruickshank GJ and Muir PD and MacLean KS and Goodger TM and Hickson C}
}
