M.J. Alcalde

Characterization of semi-extensive goat production systems in southern Spain

This study attempts to describe the semi-extensive goat farming sector in Andalusia (south of Spain) and to establish characteristics. Eighty-nine goat farmers were surveyed in three areas of this region. The survey examined all aspects of the systems, from socio-economy to management. A multivariate analysis (multiple correspondence and cluster) was used to determine the different farm characteristics. Most of the goat farms studied are single-worker or family managed. The farmers lack training and are elderly, so that continuity of the activity is not assured, although newcomers are usually young. All the farms have some area in ownership, although the farms most specialized in dairy goat products are the smallest in both ownership and total area. The roads are generally in good condition, except on farms with little land, situated in areas of the sierra. Machine-milking installations, closely related to the presence of infrastructures and of goats with a dairy tendency, are generally lacking, (this aspect is improving day by day). Artificial nursing is less generalized than machine-milking. Farms specializing in milk production, whose main activity is dairy goat farming, have dairy specialized breed or crossbred (milk and meat) goats. Feeding depends largely on grazing, with little area being cultivated to produce feed for the goats. Little distinction is made for the production level. Olive or acorn tree branches ( Quercus ilex spp.) are used as feedstuff, depending on the types of tree predominating in the area. Five farm types were established, the differences depending on 14 variables of socio-economic aspects, level of production, infrastructure and installations, and feeding. Generated information from this study entails an advance into knowledge of goat farming systems in the Mediterranean area (where little information is generated). The relevance of this study is important since Andalusia has 40% of goats in Spain that produce more than half of the total goat milk in the country, which points out the socio-economical importance for most depressed areas in the region. This work supposes previous steps for improving the semi-extensive goat farming sector. From a methodological point of view, the discussion on variable types and utility establishes farm type characteristics.

Effect of hygiene-sanitary management on goat milk quality in semi-extensive systems in Spain

Abstract Milk samples were collected from 28 farms, at monthly intervals during the production period (December to September). At the same time, each farmer was surveyed about specific conditions of hygiene-sanitary management at the farm. When management improvements were made, there was improvement (P

Meat and fat quality of unweaned lambs as affected by slaughter weight and breed.

Sixty-four male lambs of two Southern Spanish breeds, a dairy breed (Grazalema Merino) and a meat breed (Churra Lebrijana), were used to study the effects of slaughter weight and breed on meat traits and intramuscular and subcutaneous fat composition. Lambs were reared following a traditional production system without weaning and slaughtered when live weight reached 12kg (suckling) or 20kg (light). Meat from suckling lambs of both breeds had lower fat and myoglobin contents, and was more tender and had higher scores for sustained juiciness in the sensory analysis. Fat from light lambs had lower C12:0 and C14:0 levels than fat from suckling lambs. Grazalema Merino meat had higher fat and ash contents, and its fat had higher conjugated linoleic acid content than Churra Lebrijana meat.

Breed effect on carcass and meat quality of foals slaughtered at 24 months of age.

In some areas, horsemeat may be considered as an alternative to beef. And recent studies have shown that it may be positive from a nutritional point of view. However, little research has been done on the effects that influence horse carcass traits and meat quality. Breed effect has been studied by comparing two Spanish local breeds (Burguete and Hispano-Bretón) reared following the same traditional production system (24months old). Some differences between breeds were observed for carcass quality measurements and colour parameters. Proximate composition was generally not affected by breed. Burguete foals had lower SFA and MUFA and higher PUFA than Hispano-Bretón ones. PUFA/SFA ratio from both breeds was higher than 0.4 and CLA levels were similar to those found in ruminants.

The influence of final conditions on meat colour in light lamb carcasses.

Tristimulus values (X, Y, Z) and CIELAB colourimetric coordinates have been measured in m. Longissimus dorsi and m. Triceps braquialis caput longum muscles in 86 light carcasses of lambs from different origins. By applying to these data different mathematical methods (ANOVA, Discriminant Analysis, Principal Components Analysis and Cluster Analysis) we have obtained a good classification of these animals in groups, which has been established according to the different final conditions (feeding or storage). In this way, the percentage of animals accurately classified into their group is 94.2%. Worse results were obtained (84.9%) if the animals were grouped taking their breed or/and origin as a reference.

Suckling kid breed and slaughter weight discrimination using muscle colour and visible reflectance.

Meat colour was evaluated in 141 male suckling kids from five Spanish breeds: Blanca Andaluza (BA), Blanca Celtibérica (BC), Moncaína (MO), Negra Serrana-Castiza (NE) and Pirenaica (PI). Kids were slaughtered at 7.5 and 11.5 kg. pH and colour were measured in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle. pH values did not differ significantly among breeds. Lightness tended to decrease and redness to increase as weight increased. BC and NE at light weight and BC and BA at heavy weight were characterized by greater lightness, chroma and hue. At both weights MO and PI were darker and showed lower values for chroma and hue. BA at light weight and NE at heavy weight were characterized by values that were between those of the former groups for all variables. Discriminant analysis based on colour and pH correctly classified 48.9% of the kids into their breed and slaughter weight.

Fatty acid profile of three adipose depots in seven Spanish breeds of suckling kids.

Intramuscular, subcutaneous and kidney knob fat depot fatty acid profiles were studied in 104 male suckling kids from seven Spanish breeds: Blanca Andaluza, Blanca Celtibérica, Moncaína, Negra Serrana-Castiza, Pirenaica, Malagueña and Murciano-Granadina. Kids were raised in the traditional production system on mothers milk and slaughtered at around 7kg live weight. Differences were observed between dairy (Malagueña) and meat breeds (Blanca Andaluza, Blanca Celtibérica, Moncaína, Negra Serrana-Castiza, and Pirenaica). Malagueña showed higher monounsaturated and conjugated linoleic fatty acid levels than the other breeds. Highest percentages of saturated fatty acids were observed in meat breeds. For intramuscular fat depot, the range for desirable fatty acids was 66.16-72.27% was. The influence of breed on fatty acid profiles of intramuscular, subcutaneous and kidney knob fat depots studied was evident. Intramuscular fat depot is proposed as a differentiating factor between dairy and meat breed goat kids, but not between meat breed kids.

Southern Spain lamb types discrimination by using visible spectroscopy and basic physicochemical traits

The potential for using visible spectroscopy (400-700nm) to classify six types (breed×production system) of lamb meat was investigated. Seven wavelengths namely 400, 410, 420, 450, 510, 610 and 670nm were retained for the discriminant analysis. The basic meat physicochemical traits of Longissimus dorsi were also studied and a model including that information together with the spectra was developed to compare both accuracies. Then, Myoglobin content, water holding capacity, pH, a(∗), 670 and 610nm wavelengths, protein percentage, L(∗), ash content, 450 and 420nm wavelengths and moisture percentage were selected as variables for the development of the discriminant function. The data analysis showed that it was possible to discriminate the lamb types with accuracy around 83% using visible spectroscopy. However these results improved to 95% when using the reflectance together with basic physicochemical traits (12% better than using only the spectra).

Effect of slaughter weight and breed on instrumental and sensory meat quality of suckling kids

The effects of breed and slaughter weight on chemical composition, fatty acid groups, texture, and sensory characteristics of meat of 141 suckling male kids from 5 Spanish breeds were studied. There was a decrease in texture and lightness and hue angle with the increase of the slaughter weight. Fatty acid composition was correlated with the intramuscular fat content. All the breeds except MO had values of n-6/n-3 ratio below 4, which is the healthy limit recommended, and a low atherogenic index as well as a low intramuscular fat content. A multivariate analysis discriminated light kid, which had the most tender and juicy meat, from heavy kid which had more intense kid and milk odours. Blanca Andaluza and Pirenaica had most tender and juicy meat. The effect of slaughter weight on meat traits should be considered separately for each breed to find the most appropriate meat according to consumers preferences.

Carotenoid and Vitamin A Contents in Biological Fluids and Tissues of Animals as an Effect of the Diet: A Review

Carotenoids are widespread isoprenoid secondary metabolites. They and their metabolites are thought to provide diverse health benefits. In any case, their relevance from a nutritional standpoint is unarguable, as some of them can be converted into vitamin A in animals. Animals cannot synthesize carotenoids de novo and rely on the diet as a source. Species-specific differences in the absorption and metabolism of these compounds are known to exist among livestock species. The diet is another key factor affecting the carotenoid content in biological fluids (such as plasma and milk) and tissues. The study of carotenoids in animals is also important in the context of the increasing interest of consumers in the authentication of animal diets, as they can be used as markers of pasture-fed animals. In this paper, the authors review the current knowledge on the effect of the diet on the carotenoid levels of domesticated animals and the differences in the metabolism of these compounds into vitamin A among species.