Summary
This controlled trial in 60 male Tibetan sheep compared three dietary concentrate-to-forage ratios (30:70, 50:50, 70:30) during the cold season, examining effects on growth, meat quality, and microbial fermentation. Sheep fed a 70:30 concentrate-to-forage diet exhibited superior carcass characteristics, improved meat quality metrics (lower shear force and cooking loss), and altered rumen fermentation patterns characterised by higher propionate and lower acetate:propionate ratios. Changes in both rumen and faecal microbiota composition correlated with these production improvements, suggesting that short-term intensive concentrate feeding during winter may enhance meat quality and carcass traits in Tibetan sheep.
Regional applicability
Findings are primarily relevant to sheep production in upland and extensive pastoral systems in the UK, particularly regarding seasonal feeding strategies and concentrate supplementation during winter months. The study's focus on highland sheep breeds in cold conditions provides some contextual relevance, though UK sheep breeds, forage types, and production goals may differ from Tibetan contexts.
Key measures
Slaughter live weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, eye muscle area, average daily gain, shear force, cooking loss, ruminal volatile fatty acids concentration, acetate and propionate molar proportions, acetate:propionate ratio, rumen microbiota relative abundance (Butyrivibrio, Ruminococcus), faecal microbiota relative abundance (Monoglobus, UCG_002, Prevotella)
Outcomes reported
The study measured slaughter performance (live weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, muscle area, daily gain), meat quality (shear force, cooking loss), rumen fermentation (volatile fatty acids, acetate and propionate proportions), and microbial composition in rumen fluid and faeces across three dietary treatments.
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