Carcass and Offal Yields of Farmed Common Eland (Taurotragus oryx) Males, as Affected by Age and Immunocastration

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Common eland are currently underutilized regarding their meat production potential, despite their nutritious meat. Due to their temperament and adaptability, they are well-represented in commercial farms internationally, for both consumptive and ecotourism purposes. Immunocastration has been utilized as a management strategy in mixed-sex eland herds but its effects on the slaughter performance and cutting yields of common eland males have not yet been described. Furthermore, the ideal age of slaughter for eland males culled out of breeding herds relative to edible carcass product yields has not yet been explored, as it is almost impossible to control the confounding factors under current extensive production conditions within southern Africa. The Common Eland Research Facilities at The Czech University of Life Sciences Prague allows for studies under controlled conditions, with animals which have extensive records. The results indicated that while immunocastration had no influence, age affected the offal yields, primal cut, and dissection yields, as well as the high-value: low-value meat of the carcass, with the latter being in favor of juveniles. However, sub-adult males generated higher individual muscle yields. ABSTRACT: This study investigated the effects of immunocastration and slaughter age on the carcass yield performance of intensively farmed common eland males. Eighteen male eland (five immunocastrated juveniles, three intact juveniles, five immunocastrated sub-adults, and five intact sub-adults) were finished for four months, after which their carcass, offal, primal cut, and individual muscle yields were determined. Juveniles were ~6 months of age at the start of the experiment, while sub-adults were ~1.5 years old. Primal cuts were dissected to determine the percentage yields of meat, bones (with tendons), separable fat, and trimmings. Immunocastration had no effect on offal or carcass yields. While sub-adults had increased individual muscle yields, juveniles had greater proportionate yields of primal cuts and a greater total high-value: low-value meat ratio. Whilst slaughtering younger male eland could provide additional economic advantages, this should be considered being against changing marketing trends.