The objective of this work was to evaluate the carcass characteristics of lambs maintained on ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) pastures managed with different heights (5, 10, 15 and 20 cm), under continuous variable stocking, from August to November 1999. A randomized block design with three replicates was used. The slaughter weight, hot carcass, fillet, palette and rib weights were different among treatments, and those related to the height 5 cm were lower than the ones of 10, 15 and 20 cm, which were not different among them. There were no differences for hind leg and rib loin. Carcass yield ranged from 42.8±0.29 and 44.1±0.32%. All variables showed a quadratic relationship to treatments. The daily liveweight gain determined directly the liveweight at slaughter, the latter being strongly correlated to carcass yield and weight. Better yield of lamb carcass cuts were obtained when ryegrass was managed between 12 and 14 cm height.
Lolium multiflorum; carcass cuts; animal performance; grazing; slaughter weight; carcass yield
