Summary
This study compares the effects of extensive mountain pasture rearing and intensive indoor production on the carcass and meat quality of Bouhachem Park goat kids in northern Morocco. Extensively reared kids demonstrated significantly better growth and carcass characteristics, alongside leaner meat, suggesting that pasture-based systems may confer nutritional and quality advantages in this local breed. The research contributes comparative evidence on the influence of production system on small ruminant meat quality in a North African context.
UK applicability
The study was conducted in Morocco using a locally adapted goat breed under specific agro-ecological conditions, limiting direct transferability to UK practice; however, the broader finding that extensive, pasture-based systems can improve carcass leanness and meat quality in small ruminants is relevant to UK upland and hill goat and sheep producers exploring pasture-fed quality claims.
Key measures
Body weight (kg); linear body measurements; carcass yield and traits; meat fat content (%); nutritional composition; technological properties (e.g. pH, water-holding capacity); sensory characteristics
Outcomes reported
The study measured carcass traits, growth performance, and meat quality attributes — including nutritional, technological, and sensory characteristics — in goat kids reared under extensive mountain pasture versus intensive production systems. Findings indicated that extensively reared kids showed superior carcass performance and lower fat content in meat.
Topic tags
Dig deeper with Pulse AI.
Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.