Incorporating computed tomography based predictors of meat quality into a breeding program - breeding lambs for more taste less waste

Computed tomography (CT) scanning provides very good in vivo estimates of intramuscular fat (IMF) in the loin of sheep. These IMF estimates are of interest as an objective proxy trait in the determination of eating quality. Previously, accurate assessment of IMF in vivo or post mortem was only possible on samples of meat with subsequent chemical analysis. The time, expertise and cost required complicate the inclusion of such a trait into breeding programmes. This non-invasive CT based method of estimation overcomes previous complications associated with destructive methods of measurement. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of CT for both in vivo and post-mortem predictors of eating quality in sheep breeding programmes.