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 2 © 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 3 © 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. Animal Review, 2015, 2(1): 1-8 4 © 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 5 © 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 6 © 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. Animal Review, 2015, 2(1): 1-8 7 © 2015 Conscientia Beam. All Rights Reserved. [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 Animal Review, 2015, 2(1): 1-8 8 © 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 Views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the author(s), Animal Review shall not be responsible or answerable for any loss, damage or liability etc. caused in relation to/arising out of the use of the content.