Sheep - AgRIS

separating low-valued cuts like neck, breast, flank and shanks from higher valued cuts (also
called as primal cuts) like square cut, shoulder, rib, leg and loin. Yield of higher valued cuts
(either whole-sale or trimmed retail) can be used as a criterion in carcass evaluation. Other
methods of evaluation include manual separation of wbole or half carcass into lean, fat and
bones.
Meat quality can be further assessed for tenderness using Warner - Bratzler shear on
cooked muscles. Average shear force values of 4 kg or less on 1.3 cm cores of longissimus
dorsi muscles indicate acceptable tenderness. Juiciness of cooked meat can be evaluated using
the filter-paper press method. Colour, odour, fiavour and proximate composition will also help
in meat quality evaluation. Organoleptic tests using human volunteers can also help in
assessing meat quality.
5.6.6 Lambs Pelts
The lamb pelts are produced either through slaughter of lambs of pelt sheep, e.g.
Karakul, within 24 to 48 hours of birth or from unborn lambs removed through
slaughter or through cesarean of pregnant ewes at about 130 to 140 days of pregnancy.
The latter two pelts, known as broad (fat) tailed persian, are twice more valuable than
the best type produced through slaughter after birth as they have better ornament, are
thin and are more lustrous. The lamb pelts fetch 20 to 25 dollars per pelt in the
international market depending upon size and quality. Good quality pelts of sur' and
grey colour sell at about 40 to 50 dollars per pelt. Its lightness combined with a larger
size of pelt, lustre combined with the richness of colouration, silky feel, beauty and
grace permit it to be used for many kinds of highly priced fur garments such as
overcoats, jackets and suits. The trimmings are used to make collars for gowns, head
dresses etc. The quality of a pelt is generally determined by the ornament, i.e. colour,
type of curls, size, tightness, colour, lustre and weight. The curls are usually formed as
long as the length of the hair is more than 20 mm. The present trend is to get light skins
with short hairs. The size of curls is completed during the foetal stage itself. The pelts
are classified into various types and into quality grades within each type. The types are
jacket, ribbed and caucassian.
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