The objectives of this trial were to evaluate carcass characteristics and production costs of ½ Dorset Santa Inês lambs finished at two finishing systems. Forty-four weaned ½ Dorset Santa Inês lambs were distributed to one of the following two finishing systems: 1) feedlot lambs were fed concentrate (4% BW) containing 15.56% CP and 4.32 Mcal GE/kg DM or 2) lambs were on pasture and received a supplement (1.5% BW) containing 27.01% CP and 4.51 Mcal GE/kg DM. Concentrate and supplement costs were R$ 0.39 and R$ 0.54, respectively. Animals were slaughtered when they reached, on average, 30 kg of BW. Mean values for hot and cold carcass weights were 14.33 and 14.11 kg and 13.91 and 13.6 kg for animals on feedlot and pasture plus supplementation system, respectively. Carcass and commercial carcass yields were 55.81 and 55.61% and 46.39 and 46.04% for animals on feedlot and pasture plus supplementation system, respectively. It was also observed, in this order, the following mean values for body condition score, and carcass and hindlimb compactness indexes: 3.03 and 2.96; 0.21 and 0.20 kg/cm; 0.43 and 0.44 cm/cm for animals on feedlot and pasture plus supplementation system, respectively. Slaughter age, body condition score, hot and cold carcass weights, carcass and commercial carcass yields, carcass and hindlimb compactness indexes all did not differ between treatments indicating that lambs can be finished either at feedlot or at pasture plus supplementation. However, according to the economical analysis is recommended the pasture plus supplementation finishing system.
economical income; lamb meat; meat quality; production cost
