Discrimination ability of Santa Inês and crossbred Santa Inês × Dorper lamb heavy carcasses by the Brazilian and European classification systems

ABSTRACT The ability of discriminating carcass characteristics of different fat cover scores of heavy carcasses, according to the European (EUS) and Brazilian (BRS) classification systems, was assessed. Fifty-six lambs, weighing between 26.25 and 46.15 kg, of the Santa Inês and crossbred Santa Inês × Dorper genetic groups were evaluated. The level of adiposity was assessed through color photography of the carcasses after refrigeration according to the EUS and BRS. The carcasses were assigned to four groups by cluster analysis according to 25 variables, namely, cold carcass weight; muscle; b...