Sources of variation of health claimable long chain omega-3 fatty acids in meat from Australian lamb slaughtered at similar weights

The sources of variation of health claimable omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA + docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) in 2000 Australian lambs were investigated using 98 sires (Merino, maternal or terminal breeds) that were mated to about 5000 Merino or crossbred (Border Leicester × Merino) ewes. Pasture was supplemented with feedlot pellets, grains or hay as necessary, when the availability of quality green pasture was limited. Lambs were grown at 8 sites across Australia and when slaughtered the longissimus lumborum muscle was collected. Site and kills within sites were the major sources of variation for health claimable fatty acids. These environmental effects are likely to be driven by dietary background. The sire variance differed from about one twentieth to a half of the residual lamb within dam variation, depending on site and kill. This is the first comprehensive study to investigate on-farm sources of variation of long chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid content of lamb meat.

► The sources of variation of omega-3 fatty acid content in lamb were examined. ► The largest effects were production sites and slaughter times. ► The effect of genetics, gender, rearing and age of dam, were relatively small. ► The omega-3 fatty acid levels in muscle are sensitive to the diet of lambs.