Carcass characteristics of the marketed Matebele goat from south-western Zimbabwe

Weight, dimensions, composition and yield indices of half-carcasses of 52 male (milk-teethed to full mouth) and 18 mature female (6-8 teeth) goats were examined to provide information on the characteristics of Matebele goat carcasses of different ages and sexes in order to identify those that may be used in an objective appraisal of local goat carcasses. Side length, chest depth, thigh circumference and eye muscle area (EMA) increased significantly (P < 0.01) with age of male goats while fat depth over the eye muscle (FOE) did not vary (P > 0.05) with age. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) in carcass dimensions between sexes of mature goats, except EMA, which was greater (P < 0.01) in males than in female. Carcass, lean and bone weight increased significantly (P < 0.001) with age of male goats but fat content and proportions of tissues did not vary (P > 0.05) with age. The proportions (means +/- SE) were 64.5% lean, 20.4 +/- 3.98% bone, 3.2 +/- 1.57% subcutaneous fat and 10.1 +/- 4.23% intermuscular fat. Consequently, the yield indices, lean/bone (3.27 +/- 0.517) and lean and fat/bone (3.97 +/- 0.637) were similar (P > 0.05). The major difference between carcasses of mature male and female goats was due to the heavier bone and forequarters (P < 0.01) of male carcasses. The weight/side length index increased (P < 0.001) with age and was greater (P < 0.01) for mature males than females. Carcasses of milk- and two-teethed goats tended to be similar in dimension and composition to those of four-teethed ones. Carcass weight was the best predictor (P < 0.001) of 1ean, soft tissues and bone of male carcasses, lean of the mature goat carcasses and soft tissues of the female carcasses. Meat yield (lean and fat) of mature male goats, fat content of the mature females and of males between 0 and 6-8 teeth were best predicted by the weight/side length index (P < 0.001). Carcass weight and the weight/side length index should be incorporated in an evaluation system for Matebele goats.