Carcass Characteristics and Meat Quality of Karacabey Merino lambs Reared under Triticale and Oat Pastures Compared with Stall-Fed Lambs

SIMPLE SUMMARY: An economical livestock production model in which all the needs of the lambs can be met and they reach the optimal slaughter weight in the shortest possible time is the primary goal of all production models. Since the production system is an important factor for carcass and meat quality, different production systems have been developed. In intensive systems with concentrates, carcasses tend to be fatter and reach optimal slaughter weight faster, whereas pasture-fed animals have a better fatty acid profile and redder colour due to higher physical activity. In our study, we investigated the effects of feeding system, birth type, gender, and birth year on the carcass and meat quality of Karacabey Merino lambs. The effects of gender and birth type on Karacabey Merino lambs showed the expected results: single-borns have more muscle tissue than multiples, males have more muscle tissue than females, and females have higher carcass fatness. In conclusion, a pasture-based feeding system is more suitable for Karacabey Merino lambs than a stall feeding system, if lean and tender meat is preferred. However, it should not be ignored that lambs fed in stalls showed better fattening performance in terms of conformation and fatness, during the same period. ABSTRACT: Fifty-eight Karacabey Merino lambs were used to study the effects of feeding system (triticale pasture, oat pasture, or stall-fed), birth type (single or multiple), gender (male or female), and birth year (2016 or 2017) on various carcass and meat quality characteristics. Stall lambs had higher conformation (CS) and fatness (FS) scores, and higher meat L* and h* values than the two pasture groups, possibly due to higher fat content, while oat pasture lambs had the most tender meat. Single-born lambs had higher CS, FS, and Longissimus thoracis muscle section area, while females had higher subcutaneous and non-carcass fat deposits than their counterparts. Both single-born lambs and 2016-born lambs had higher meat a* and C* values than their counterparts. In conclusion, a pasture-based feeding system is more suitable for Karacabey Merino lambs than a stall feeding system, if lean meat and/or meat products are preferred. However, it should not be ignored that stall-fed lambs showed a better fattening performance in terms of conformation and fatness, during the same period.