Just Accepted

This article has been peer reviewed and accepted for publication. It is in production and has not been edited, so may differ from the final published form.

Effect of crosses and different ages at slaughter on carcass characteristics and meat quality of goat kids

Salenilda Firmino, Marilia Pereira , Thiago Araujo , Renata de Lima, Allison de Lima, Hélia Leite, Dorgival Lima Júnior , Patrícia Lima

Abstract

Context: The fate of kids born in dairy goat production systems is a growing concern. Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the carcass characteristics and meat quality of Saanen and Saanen x Boer goat kids slaughtered at 30 and 60 days of age. Methods: We used 32 entire male goats, suckler and with access to solid food from 30 to 60 days, distributed in a completely randomized design, in a 2 (breed) × 2 (age at slaughter) factorial arrangement. We evaluated animal performance, carcass characteristics, instrumental analyses of the Quadriceps femoral muscle, and consumer perception. Key results: There was no interaction between breed and age of the goats (P > 0.05) on the initial and final live weight, weight gain, cold carcass weight, hot carcass weight, and hot and cold carcass yields. However, age at slaughter influenced these variables (P < 0.05). The breed did not influence pH, meat color, water retention capacity, weight loss by cooking, or shear force (P > 0.05). However, shear force increased when goats were slaughtered at 60 days of age (P < 0.05). The muscle pH determined at 24 h after slaughter, and lipid oxidation, were lower in the meat of goats slaughtered at 60 days of age (P < 0.05) but did not differ between breeds. Higher consumer scores for flavor and appearance (P < 0.05) were attributed to the meat of crossbred animals in sensory analysis. Conclusions: Slaughtering goat kids at 60 days of age (versus 30 days of age) is an alternative for improving some aspects of meat quality. We recommend crossing Saanen × Boer to increase consumer acceptance of meat. Implications: This study is important for Saanen goat kids producers to understand that crossbreeding with the Boer breed improves carcass characteristics and meat acceptance by consumers.

AN23096  Accepted 16 September 2024

© CSIRO 2024