Forty-six (46) crossbred Boer goats were used by researchers at Kansas State University to assess the effects of concentrate feeding on the carcass composition of goats.The goats were fed ab libitum, with no concentrate (range) or with one of three levels of concentrate (low, 50%; medium, 70%; and high, 90%) for 126 days before slaughter. Carcasses were fabricated according to the Institutional Meat Purchase Specifications (IMPS).
Overall, goats fed concentrate-based diets had heavier carcasses and primal weights, but lower percentages of trimmed primal cuts and less off-flavor intensity compared to range-fed goats.
Longissimus (ribeye) samples from concentrate-fed goats had higher percentages of total, saturated, monosaturated and n-6 FA; but lower percentages of n-3 FA, compared to longissimus samples from range-fed goats.
