Carcass merit and meat quality in Suffolk lambs, Katahdin lambs, and meat-goat kids finished on a grass–legume pasture with and without supplementation

• Pasture-finished lambs and meat-goat kids fit niche markets in the USA.
• Loin meat from pasture-finished lambs and goats differ in fatty acid profiles.
• Feeding whole cottonseed increased Omega-6 to Omega-3 ratio in lamb and chevon.
• Meat from pasture-finished lambs and goat kids can benefit human diets and health.

The experiment evaluated traditional U.S. sheep (Suffolk), hair sheep (Katahdin), and meat goat (Boer crossbred; Goat) carcass and meat quality parameters when finished on pasture with and without supplemental whole cottonseed (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Supplemented animals had greater ribeye area (P < 0.01), body wall thickness (P < 0.001), and lean quality score (P < 0.05) than unsupplemented animals. Whole cottonseed increased fatty acids (FA) 18:1 trans-10, 18:1 trans-12, 18:2, and Omega6:Omega3 ratio and decreased FA 18:1 trans-11, 18:3, and Omega3 in longissimus muscle (LM). Katahdin LM had greater (P < 0.001) intramuscular fat compared to Suffolk and Goat. Goat LM had less (P < 0.001) FA 14:0, 18:0, 18:1 t11, 18:3, 20:3n − 6, and saturated FA when compared to Suffolk or Katahdin. Carcass weights from pasture-finished sheep and goats would be acceptable for most ethnic markets in the USA. Omega6:Omega3 ratios in chevon and lamb were within the guidelines for meats that can improve human diets and health.