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Assessment of the proportion of chemical fat in the bodies of live sheep

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. C. Guerra ,
C. J. Thwaites  and
T. N. Edey
J. C. Guerra
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock Production, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, 2351
C. J. Thwaites
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock Production, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, 2351
T. N. Edey
Affiliation:
Department of Livestock Production, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia, 2351
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Summary

The ability of subjectively assessed body condition scores, direct measurements of backfat depth, and an objective body condition index (based on the size/weight relationship), to predict the proportion of chemical fat in the body of the live sheep was investigated in three groups of Merino ewes. All three techniques possessed a similar, and practically acceptable ability to predict the proportion of chemical fat in the fleece-free empty body. However, both live weight and fleece-free empty body weight possessed similar predictive powers, and the method of choice in any particular situation could thus be determined by the availability of weighing facilities and the need for speed, objectivity and for minimizing interference with the experimental animals.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 78 , Issue 1 , February 1972 , pp. 147 - 149
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1972

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References

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