Características zoométricas y rendimiento de cortes de cordero: aplicación de modelos de predicción

Sheep (Ovis aries Linnaeus, 1758) and their crosses, are raised for products such as meat, milk, and wool. Their genetic potential and productivity capacity allow them to efficiently, convert forage into products of high nutritional value, including y meat with desirable chemical and organoleptic composition and dietary versatility. This study aimed to evaluate the zoometric and carcass characteristics using predictive models to estimate the cut yields of F1 Katahdin x Pelibuey lambs fed four different diets. Thirty-six intact F1 Katahdin x Pelibuey lambs were assigned to four dietary treatments: T1= concentrate; T2= 70 % concentrate and 30 % maralfalfa; T3= 70 % concentrate and 30 % Mombasa; and T4= 70 % concentrate and 30 % CT-115. Thirteen zoometric variables were evaluated using analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Tukey’s post-hoc test. Fourteen carcass cut variables were also evaluated, and predictive models and linear regression analyses were used to examine the relationships between carcass cuts and total weight. ANOVA revealed significant differences among treatments for three zoometric variables (p < 0.05). According to Tukey’s post-hoc test, T3 outperformed the other treatments, whereas no significant differences were observed among T1, T2, and T4. The regression models showed that the T3 diet influenced total weight, with significant correlations between carcass characteristics and cut yields (p < 0.05). This study proposes T3 as a feeding alternative for F1 Katahdin x Pelibuey lambs under tropical conditions.