17 October 1996 Coopworths at Lincoln will play role in lean meat research

The difference between lean and fatty sheep meat is a million dollar distinction for commercial producers and it's an issue being actively researched at Lincoln University with the University's Coopworth flock set to play a major role in the field application of findings.

At the heart of the work is the principle of a necessary balance between the fat required by ewes to sustain them through cold climatic conditions and the production of lean meat as required by the market place.

To help sheep breeders shift fat from where it is not wanted, in the carcass, to where it is useful, internally, Lincoln University's Dr Mark Young of the Animal and Veterinary Sciences Group, and a scientist from Scotland, Joanne Conington, have been using whole body x-ray scanning of animals (computed tomography) to measure changes in specific fat deposits.

Ultimately the hope is that this approach will provide the basis for selective breeding for improved meat quality in hill sheep by reducing carcass fat without compromising the sheep's ability to survive in climatically harsh regions.

"Fat reserves are extremely important if ewes are to survive, reproduce and rear a lamb in conditions such as exist in parts of the United Kingdom," says Dr Young, "and shifting fat from the carcass to internal fat depots would help achieve both objectives – ewe survival and lean meat for the market."

In New Zealand the work will progress using Coopworths and in Scotland Ms Conington is working with Scottish Blackface sheep.

"As part of this research programme, subcutaneous backfat and muscle depth are monitored by ultrasound techniques throughout the reproductive cycle of the ewes. However, with ultrasound technology it is not possible to investigate what is happening to other fat depots, such as internal fat, unless a proportion of ewes are slaughtered at strategic times, something that you cannot do with sheep required for a breed improvement programme," says Dr Young.

"That's where x-ray computed tomography offers such an advantage. The animals you identify with the desirable traits remain alive for breeding!"

Dr Young's work is one of a number of collaborative research projects between Lincoln University and the Scottish Agricultural College, Edinburgh, where Ms Conington is based. The exchange programme between the two institutions for work relevant to both countries is funded by the British Council.

Ian Collins, Journalist, Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand.