Genetic improvement of Canadian lamb carcass yield, quality and growth traits

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In the Canadian lamb industry, carcass yield and quality traits are of considerable importance because these relate directly supply chain production efficiency, economic profitability and consumer choice of domestic products. However, a large-scale evaluation of commercial performance and genetics of lamb carcass yield and quality traits has yet to be conducted for Canadian breeds and processing systems. This study seeks to benchmark phenotypes and examine genetic bases of carcass yield, fat depth and conformation in commercial lambs, and consider genetic relationships with early growth, ultrasound measurements and other economically important production and reproduction traits. The goal is to find optimal selection methods to improve carcass yield and quality in commercial lamb breeding programs.