Weight gain and carcass traits of Texel and Santa Ines crossbred lambs in a semi-intensive husbandry system

A research was conducted at the Experimental Field Station Vale do Curu of the Federal University of Ceara to evaluate the growth rate and carcass traits of crossbred lambs born from crioula tropical hair ewes (SRD) mated with Texel and Santa Ines rams. 33 lambs being 17 crossbred Texel X SRD (eigth entire male lambs and seven female lambs) and 16 crossbred Santa Ines X SRD (11 entire male lambs and five female lambs) were studied. Lambs were weaned at 90 days old and were raised in a semi-intensive system production. Crossbred Texel lambs were sheared before slaugther. Growth rate was studied by measuring the live bodyweight each 15 days from born to eigth months old, age estimated as good to slaughter the male lambs. The weigth and carcass yield were evaluated. Data analyses show that the crossbred Texel lambs have better growing performance and higher daily weigth gain than Santa Ines crossbred lambs, but significant differences of sire breed were not detected in the hot and cold carcass yield. It was concluded that crossbreeding of crioula tropical hair ewes with Texel rams may be beneficial for growth performance of lambs in a industrial breeding programme. More studies are necessary to evaluate the effect of wool on sheep raising on tropical condition.