




































 

 

 
1 

† Corresponding author 
© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 

 

INGESSANA GOATS PHENOTYPE, CARCASS AND WHOLESALE CUTS 

CHARACTERISTICS IN FADAMIA, BAO LOCALITY, BLUE NILE STATE, 

SUDAN 

 

Mohmed E. Elimam1 --- Asma H.M.Hamed2* --- Amer A. Y. Abdalla3  
1Goat Research Centre, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan 

2Department of Animal Production, Faculty of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, University of Gadarif, Gadarif, Sudan 

 

ABSTRACT 

Two studies were conducted to characterize the phenotype, carcass and wholesale cuts in Ingessana goats in 

Fadamia, Bao Province, Blue Nile State, Sudan which is about 521km south east of Khartoum. In the first 

study 250 animals were used to study body weight and measurements and colours at different ages in 

villages in the area. In the second study 6 males at <1 and 1 year old (three in each age group) were used to 

study body components and carcass and wholesale characteristics. The data was statistically analyzed 

according to MSTAT. Body weight (BW) and measurements, except horns and tail length, were increased 

with age. The correlations between BW and measurements were calculated and different regression 

equations were used to predict BW from some body weight at different ages with no significant (P>0.05) 

differences between measured and predicted BW. Animals’ colours varied greatly and were mainly black 

and white (35%). All body components percentages, except skin and small intestines, were higher at <1 year 

old with no significant difference between the two age groups.  Slaughter weight, empty BW (EBW) and 

hot carcass weight were significantly (P <0.05) higher at1 year old. Dressing percentages were higher on 

EBW than LBW and were not significantly (P>0.05) different between the two age groups. Carcass 

muscle, bone, fat and muscle: fat were not significantly (P>0.05) different between the two age groups. 

Muscle: fat was significantly higher at 1 year old (P<0.05). There were no significant (P>0.05) 

differences in all wholesale cuts percentages between the two age groups. The percentages of leg and chump, 

single short forequarter and loin were higher at 1 year old and breast and neck percentages were higher at 

<1 year old. 

Keywords: Phenotype, Carcass characteristics, Wholesale cuts, Goats, Body weight correlation, Sudan. 

Received: 5 November 2014/ Revised: 13 January 2015/ Accepted: 17 January 2015/ Published: 21 January 2015 

 

 

 

Animal Review 
2015 Vol. 2, No. 1, pp. 1-8 
ISSN(e): 2409-6490 
ISSN(p): 2412-3382 
DOI: 10.18488/journal.ar/2015.2.1/101.1.1.8 
© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

 

http://crossmark.crossref.org/dialog/?doi=10.18488/journal.ar/2015.2.1/101.1.1.8


Animal Review, 2015, 2(1): 1-8 

 

 

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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

Contribution/ Originality  

The paper contributes the first logical analysis of phenotype, carcass and wholesale cuts 

characteristics of Ingessana goats in Blue Nile State, Sudan. The study also predicted equation for 

measuring body weight which contributes to the existing literature. 

 

1. INTRODUCTION 

Meat demand and prices increased substantially in the Sudan due to increased human 

population, urbanization and improved nutritional awareness and living standards. It is important 

to exploit less exploited meat producing animal in the country to reduce the prices. Goats are 

very important in the Sudan due to high population and production of high quality milk, meat and 

skin [1]. Goat meat has high nutritive value and low fat [2, 3]. The disputed correlations 

between cardiovascular diseases, cholesterol and saturated fatty acids increased the demand for 

low fat meat including goat meat. However, goat meat is the least preferred in the Sudan [2, 4]. 

Goat production systems are mainly traditional based on rangeland which deteriorated for many 

reasons and animals are generally neglected with low inputs and outputs. Improving goat meat 

production will increase its demands and reduce meat prices and increase exports and national 

income and alleviates poverty and hunger. There are many goat breeds in the Sudan [5]. The 

Nubian is the main dairy breed and Desert, Nilotic, Tagger and Baggara and Ingessana are 

classified as meat breeds. Ingessana is the main breed in the Ingessana area in the Blue Nile State 

and reputed for high quality meat and adaptation to harsh environments, but it is endangered due 

to haphazard crossing with other breeds. However, there is no information on the breed 

characteristics. Consequently, this study was conducted to characterize the breed and furnish 

information on the phenotype, carcass and wholesale cuts characteristics. 

 

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS 

Two studies were conducted to characterize Ingessana goats in Fadamia area in the 

Ingessana area, Blue Nile State, Sudan.  

 

2.1. The First Study: The Phenotypic Characteristics 

2.1.1. Location 

This study was conducted in Fadamia area in the Ingessana area, Blue Nile State, Sudan. 

Fadamia is a village in Bao Locality and is about 150km south of Eldamazeen which is the state 

capital and is about 521km south east of Khartoum. Bao Locality population is about 0.103 

million. The state is located between latitudes 9-12◦ N and longitudes 32-35◦E in the rich 

Savannah zone. The area is mainly mountains with eight important mountains. Maximum and 

minimum temperatures are 31-32◦ and 17-21◦, respectively. Autumn is from April to October and 

annual rainfall is 100-1000mm with high plants numbers. There are many seasonal streams and 

the area is fertile and is the main agricultural site in the state. Cropping and animal production 

are the main occupations in the area.  

 



Animal Review, 2015, 2(1): 1-8 

 

 

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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

2.1.2. Animals  

Two hundred and fifty goats at different ages in different villages were used in this study.  

They were studied at water points and a translator was used to communicate with animal owners 

who were cooperative. The animals were mainly adult females as owners were interested in 

keeping productive animals and males were slaughtered or sold at young ages. Animals age was 

determined using the lower jaw incisors [5].  Body weight was measured using a 50 kg capacity 

spring balance and the animals were held in a sac and suspended by the spring balance. Body 

measurements including height at withers (HW), heart girth (HG), body length (BL), abdominal 

girth (AG), horn length (HL), ear length (EL) and Tail length (TL) were measured using a 

measuring tape as described by Owen and Norman [6]. 

 

2.1.3. Statistical Analysis 

Mean BW and measurements were calculated at different age groups and the data was 

statistically analyzed according to MSTAT. The correlations between BW and measurements 

were calculated in different age groups as described by Mukherjee, et al. [7]. Linear regression 

equations were used to predict BW from somebody measurements and mean predicted and 

measured BW were compared as described by Mukherjee, et al. [7]. Correlations, regression 

coefficients and t-test were determined according to Statistical Analysis System (SAS). 

 

2.2. The Second Study: Ingessana Goats Carcass Characteristics 

2.2.1. Location 

This study was conducted in the premises of the Goat Research Centre in Elneshasheba farm 

in Wad Medani, Gezira State, Sudan. 

 

2.2.2. Animals 

Six Ingessana males were bought at random at less than one year and one year old (three in 

each age group) from Fadamia livestock market and transported by car to Wad Medani. The 

animals were housed in individual pens, rested, watered and fed and treated with Ivomec against 

external and internal parasites. They were fed groundnut haulm ad lib for a week. Clean drinking 

water was offered ad lib. They were then fastened overnight, weighed at the morning and 

slaughtered according to Islamic rituals. Blood was collected in a plastic container and weighed 

for each animal. The heads and legs were separated and weighed separately for each animal. The 

animals were then skinned and the skins were weighed. The carcass was opened and the viscera 

were removed and weighed separately and the carcasses were weighed. The elementary tract was 

weighed full and empty and the gut contents were calculated by difference. Empty body weights 

were calculated for each animal by subtracting the gut fill from live body weight. Each body 

component weight was calculated as percentage of EBW for each animal. Dressing percentages 

were calculated on live and empty body weight.  

 

 



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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

2.2.3. Wholesale Cuts 

Ingessana goats wholesale cuts characteristics were studied by splitting the hot carcasses 

into two halves along the vertebral column using a saw. One side was divided into six wholesale 

cuts as described by M.L.C. [8].  

Ingessana goat carcass composition was studied by dissecting the wholesale cuts foe each 

animal into muscles, bones and fat and were weighed and expressed as percentages of EBW. 

Muscle: bone and muscle: fat were calculated for each animal and age group.  

 

2.2.4. Statistical Analysis 

The data was statistically analyzed using MSTAT. Body components and carcass 

characteristics were compared using student's t- test according to MSTAT.    

 

3. RESULTS 

Table 1 shows mean BW and measurements in Ingessana goats in Fadamia area, Sudan.  

 Body weight and all body measurements, except horn and tail length were increased with 

age. The mean body weight of goats in the five age groups (<1, 1, 2, 3 and ≥4 years) were 

recorded to be 9.63, 17.53, 21.58, 25.10 and 28.29 kg respectively. The increased BW and HW 

were highest between <1 and 1 year old and declined with age. Heart girth and AG increased 

significantly with age. Table 2 shows the correlation coefficients between BW and body 

measurements in Ingessana goats.  The correlations between BW and HG generally declined 

with age and were highest at <1 year old.  

The correlations between BW and AG were highest at 2 years old and least <1 year old.  The 

correlations between BW and BL were highest at 1 year old (0.63) and least at 3 years old (0.40). 

The correlations between BW and measurements were generally higher up to 2 years old. 

Table 3 shows that different regression equations were used to predict BW from somebody 

weight in Ingessana goats. The regression equations accurately predicted BW at different ages 

with no significant differences between measured and predicted BW. Ingessana goat colours 

varied in Fadamia area. It was mainly black and white (35%) followed by black (19%), white 

(16%), black, white and brown (11%) and then white and brown (9%). The least colours were grey 

(5%) and black and brown (5%).  

Table 4 shows Ingessana goats body components expressed as percentages of EBW. All body 

components percentages, except skin and small intestines, were higher at <1 year old. There were 

no significant differences in all body components percentages between the two age groups.  

Table 5 shows Ingessana goats slaughter weight and carcass characteristics. Slaughter 

weight, EBW and hot carcass weight, 11.73, 9.27 and 5.67 kg respectively were significantly (P 

<0.05) higher at one year old. Dressing percentages were higher on EBW than LBW in the two 

age groups. Dressing percentages on EBW (60.00 and 61.52) and LBW (50.00 and 48.33) were 

not significantly different between the two age groups, respectively.  

Carcass muscle, bones, fat and muscle: fat were not significantly different (P>0.05) between 

the two age groups.  Table 6 shows Ingessana goats wholesale cuts as percentages of hot carcass 



Animal Review, 2015, 2(1): 1-8 

 

 

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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

weight. There were no significant differences in the percentages of all wholesale cuts between the 

two age groups. The percentages of leg and chump, single short forequarter and loin were higher 

at one year old and the percentages of breast and neck were higher at <1 old. 

 

4. DISCUSSION 

4.1. Body Weight and Measurements 

The increased BW and all body measurements, except tail and horns with age were mainly 

due to goats proportional growth. Similar results were reported in Tagger goats in Nuba 

Mountains, Sudan [2, 9]. It was also found in Nubian goats in Elshukaba area [10] and Kenana 

Sugar Company area [11] and Desert goats in Elobeid area [4] and Bengl goats in India [7]. 

The highest increase in body measurements at early ages (<1 and 1 year old) was also found in 

Tagger goats [2] and was attributed to relatively fast growth before puberty [12].  

Ingessana goat BW was close to Baggara goat at 3 years old [13]. At four years old 

Ingessana goat BW was higher than Tagger females in Eldaleng area [2] and mature BW in 

Rashad area [9]. It was also higher than Nilotic goats and lower than Nubian and Desert goats in 

the Sudan [14].  All body measurements in Ingessana goat were higher than Tagger in Rashad 

area [9]. Ingessana goats HW and HG were close to Tagger in Eldaleng area [2] and higher 

than Tagger in Rashad area [9]. Ingessana goat AG and BL were close to Tagger in Eldaleng 

area [2]. Ingessana goats BC and HW were lower than in Elshukaba [10]. Ingessana goat BL 

and EL were lower than Nubian goat in Kenana Sugar Company area [11]. Ingessana goat ears 

and tails were longer than Tagger [2, 9] and horns were shorter than Tagger [2]. The results 

suggested that Ingessana and Tagger goats have different body weight and measurements. 

 

4.2. Correlations between BW and Measurements and Predicting Body Weight 

The strong correlations between BW and most body measurements were due to proportional 

growth. These correlations and different linear regression equations predicting BW with no 

significant differences between measured and predicted BW were also reported in Tagger goats 

[2, 3], Desert goat [4], Nubian goats [10, 11] and Bengal goats [7].The accurately predicted 

BW from linear equations is advantageous where weighing machines are not available or difficult 

to operate and maintain and will improve animal management and marketing. 

 

4.3. Body Components 

Ingessana goat body components as percentages of EBW were higher than Desert goats 

except the stomach, small intestines and kidneys [3]. Ingessana goat percentages of head, legs, 

skin, heart, stomach, small intestines, kidneys and lungs were higher than Tagger [2]. The non-

significant difference in body components percentages at <1 and 1 year old were also found in 

Desert goats [3] and indicated little changes within this age.   

 

 

 



Animal Review, 2015, 2(1): 1-8 

 

 

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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

4.4. Carcass Characteristics 

The significantly increased slaughter weight, hot carcass weight and EBW with slaughter 

age were also found in Desert goats in Elobeid area [3] and were due to increased BW and 

proportional growth. The increased dressing percentages with increasing the slaughter weight 

were also reported in Sudanese goat breeds [3, 11, 15, 16]. The non-significant differences in 

muscles, bone and fat percentages with slaughter age were also found in Desert goats [3]. The 

increased slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, EBW and dressing percentages with slaughter 

age and non-significant differences in carcass muscles, bone and fat between the two age groups 

suggested slaughter at 1 year old due to increased percentages and carcass weight when quality is 

maintained.   

 

4.5. Wholesale Cuts 

Wholesale cuts percentages were generally lower in Ingessana than Desert goats [3]. The 

non-significant differences in wholesale cuts percentages at <1 and 1 year old and improved 

carcass characteristics with age in Ingessana and Desert goats highlighted the advantages of 

slaughter at 1 year old. The different wholesale cuts percentages between Ingessana and Tagger 

in Nuba Mountains [2, 9] suggested that they are different breeds. 

 

Funding: This study received no specific financial support. 
 

Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests. 
 

Contributors/Acknowledgement: All authors contributed equally to the conception and design of the study.  

 

REFERENCES 

[1] AOAD, Production year book. Khartoum, Sudan: Arab Organization for Agricultural Development 

Printing Press, 2006. 

[2] T. M. A. Mudawi, "Performance characteristics of tagger goats in South Kordofan State, Sudan," 

M. Sc. Thesis, Department of Animal Science, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan, 2002. 

[3] M. E. Elimam and Y. A. Ombabi, "Carcass characteristics of male desert goats in Elobeid area in 

North Kordofan State, Sudan," Gezira Journal of Agricultural  Science, vol. 5, pp. 190– 202, 2007. 

[4] Y. A. Ombabi, "Characteristics of desert goat as a meat producer in Elobied area, Sudan," M. Sc. 

Thesis, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, University of Gezira, 

Wad Medani, Sudan, 2006. 

[5] C. Devendra and G. B. Mc Leroy, Goat and sheep production in the tropics. UK: Commonwealth 

Agricultural Bureau, 1982. 

[6] J. B. Owen and G. A. Norman, "Studies on the meat producing characteristics of Botswana goat 

and sheep part III. General body composition. Carcass measurements and joint composition," Meat. 

Science, vol. 1, pp. 283 – 306, 1977. 

[7] D. K. Mukherjee, C. S. P. Singh, and H. R. Mishra, "A note on body weight measurements 

relationships in grey Bengal goat," Indian Journal of Animal Science, vol. 51, pp. 882 - 883, 1981. 



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[8] M.L.C., Cutting and preparing lamb and pork. Technical bulletin No. 24, 12-18. England: Meat and 

Livestock Commission, 1977. 

[9] H. A. Elbukhary, "Production characteristics of tagger goats," M.Sc. (Anim. Prod.) Thesis, Univ. of 

Khartoum, Sudan, 1998. 

[10] M. E. Elimam and A. Y. Ayderous, "A note on characteristics and body measurements of goats in 

Shukaba area in the Gezira, Sudan, Khartoum," J. Agric. Sci., vol. 10, pp. 343 – 348, 2002. 

[11] N. B. H. Khalifa, "Characteristic and performance of garag sheep and Nubian goats in Kenana 

Sugar company, Sudan," M.Sc. Thesis, Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agricultural 

Sciences, University of Gezira, Wad Medani, Sudan, 2002. 

[12] R. T. Wilson, Husbandry, nutrition and productivity of goats and sheep in tropical Africa. In: Small 

ruminant in Africa agriculture. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: ILCA, 1982. 

[13] A. A. Ageeb, "Productive and reproductive characteristics of a flock of baggara goats of South 

Kordofan, Sudan," J. Anim. Prod., vol. 5, pp. 1-24, 1992. 

[14] F. M. Tleimat, Arab center for the studies of arid zones and dry lands (ACSAD). Damascus, syria (Cited by Gall, C, 

1996. Goat Breeds of theWorld. C.T.A Akersheim, Margraf.). Germany: Institute for Anim. Prod, 1986. 

[15] A. Bello and S. A. Babiker, "Growth and carcass characteristics of desert goat kids and their 

temoerate cross," Animal Production, vol. 46, pp. 231-235, 1988. 

[16] I. A. Elkhidir, "Desert goats and sheep meat production and quality," M. Sc Thesis. Animal 

Production, University of Khartoum, Shambat, Khartoum North, Sudan, 1989. 

 

Table-1. Body weight (kg) and measurements (cm) in Ingessana goats in Fadamia, Bao Province, Blue Nile State, Sudan 

Parameters Age (Years) 

<1 1 2 3 ≥4  

Body weight 09.63±0.66d 17.53±0.86c 21.58±0.57bc 25.10±0.52ab 28.29±0.67a 

Height at withers 52.40±0.95d 57.28±0.63c 61.22±1.06bc 62.81±0.48ab 66.58±0.96a 

Heart girth 53.58±0.95d 63.88±0.90c 67.50±0.76bc 71.07±0.51ab 74.07±0.42a 

Barrel 
circumference 

63.95±1.42d 79.18±1.25c 85.93±1.31bc 89.10±0.83ab 95.00±0.77a 

Body length 36.05±1.43c 38.32±0.75bc 40.19±0.75ab 42.08±0.47a 43.39±0.95a 

Ear length 15.02±0.39b 16.04±0.23ab 17.05±0.30a 16.75±0.21ab 16.63±0.26ab 

Horn length 03.90±0.33c 05.70±0.43bc 07.78±0.40ab 08.77±0.44ab 10.20±0.45a 

Tail length 11.87±0.20b 13.08±0.18ab 13.47±0.20ab 13.77±0.16a 13.63±0.22ab 

Different letters within a row denote significant differences at P< 0.05 

 

Table-2. Correlation coefficients between body weight and measurements at different ages in Ingessana goats in Fadamia, 

Bao Province, Blue Nile State, Sudan. 

Parameters Age (Years) 

<1 1 2 3 ≥4 

Heart girth 0.78 0.75 0.73 0.61 0.60 

Barrel circumference 0.20 0.64 0.79 0.35 0.67 

Body length 0.42 0.63 0.43 0.40 0.45 

Height at withers 0.46 0.66 0.15 0.09 0.06 

 

Table-3. Regression equations predicting body weight and predicted body weight at different ages in Ingessana goats in 

Fadamia, Bao Province, Blue Nile State, Sudan 

 



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© 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. 

Age (Years) Equations Predicted BW Measured BW 

<1 Y= - 0.142x1+ 0.297x2 + 0.111x3 - 8.811 10.99±0.95 09.10±0.66 

1 Y= - 0.047x1 + 0.121x2 + 0.617x3 - 29.63 17.64±1.14 17.10±1.61 

2 Y= - 0.017x1 + 0.246x2 + 0.253x3 - 15.854 22.01±0.85 21.40±1.12 

3 Y= - 0.239x1
 + 0.091x2 + 0.433x3 - 23.982 25.34±0.83 26.10±1.35 

≥4 Y= - 0.426x1 + 0.455x2 + 0.218x3 – 49.441 28.37±1.25 28.90±1.75 

BW= Body weight (kg). 

Table-4. Body components (% of empty body weight) at different ages in Ingessana goats in Fadamia, Bao Province, Blue 

Nile State, Sudan. 

Parameters Age (years) Significance 

 <1 1 

Head 13.50+1.77 13.22+1.73 NS 

Skin 09.67+0.98 11.31+0.89 NS 

Legs 06.27+0.30 05.97+0.51 NS 

Stomach 04.27+0.43 05.07+0.19 NS 

Small intestines 02.08+0.44 02.49+0.41 NS 

Liver 02.62+0.34 02.57+0.08 NS 

Spleen 00.54+0.06 00.52+0.06 NS 

Kidneys 00.72+0.13 00.59+0.05 NS 

Lungs 02.45+0.35 02.10+0.24 NS 

Heart 01.12+0.15 01.01+0.09 NS 

NS= Non significant differences at P>0.05 

 

Table-5. Slaughter weight and carcass characteristics in different age groups in Ingessana goats in Fadamia area, Bao 

Province, Blue Nile State, Sudan. 

Parameters Age (years) 
<1 

 
1 

Significance 

Slaughter weight (kg) 07.57+1.03 11.73+0.03 * 

EBW 06.23+0.57 09.27+0.33 * 

Hot carcass weight (kg) 03.69+0.28 05.67+0.26 ** 

Dressing %: EBW 60.00+6.12 61.52+3.53 NS 

                   : LBW 50.00+6.01 48.33+2.02 NS 

Total carcass muscles (%)  65.0+11.28 65.00+0.16 NS 

Total carcass bone (%) 23.00+5.52 24.33+0.88 NS 

Total carcass fat (%) 01.00+0.00 01.0+0.00 NS 

Muscle: bone 02.78+0.28 02.67=0.12 NS 

Muscle: fat 65.00+5.36 65.00+0.94 NS 

EBW= Empty body weight, LBW= live body weight. 

NS= Non significant differences at P>0.05, *= Significant differences at P<0>05, ** Significant differences at P<0.01 

 

Table-6. Wholesale cuts (% of hot carcass weight) in different age groups in Ingessana goats in Fadamia area, Bao 

Province, Blue Nile State, Sudan. 

Cuts Age (Years) Significance 

<1 1 

Leg and chump 29.50+3.54 33.67+0.33 NS 

Single short forequarter 32.33+4.92 32.67+0.88 NS 

Loin 06.33+0.67 08.67+0.88 NS 

Beast end of neck 05.33+0.33 05.33+0.33 NS 

Breast 06.33+0.33 06.00+0.58 NS 

Neck 11.00+2.31 10.33+2.34 NS 

NS= Non significant differences at P>0.05 

 
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