Evaluation of Florina (Pelagonia) sheep breed for growth and carcass traits

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of growing Florina (Pelagonia) lambs fed a high concentrate diet, as well as the effect of slaughter weight on carcass characteristics. The assessment of the growth used 12 male and 12 female individually penned weaned lambs until they reached 60% of their mature body weight (BW), while assessment of the effect of slaughter weight at weaning (42 days of age), and at 30%, 45% and 60% of the mature BW, on carcass characteristics used 40 male and 40 female weaned lambs. In experiment 1, results showed that Florina lambs have good growth. Male lambs grew faster (P < 0.001) than female lambs, resulting in a lower (P < 0.001) feed conversion ratio (FCR) for males. Rate of gain, feed consumption and FCR increased (P < 0.001) as the experiment progressed. In experiment 2, results showed that degree of maturity affected (P < 0.001) fasted body weight and carcass weight, as well as all carcass characteristics and commercial cuts, except the steaks cut which did not differ. Florina lambs can be slaughtered in heavier carcass weights, heavier than the 15 kg as the present practice. The heavier carcasses can appeal to wider range of consumers due to the excellent muscle development and the reduced visible fat cover. Florina sheep raised for heavy carcass meat production may be more economically beneficial for the breeders and the increased meat produced locally can help reduce need for importing meat from abroad. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.