Tuesday, February 09, 2010 -- 06:14 AM e.s.t.

Education - Publications - Live & Carcass Evaluation

Lamb and Goat Marketing – Dressing Percentages of Slaughtered Carcass

Note: Factors that influence dressing percentage include, but are not limited to, gut fill and carcass fat. Although dressing percentage is extremely important to the packer who purchases live animals, it is not a very good indicator of the value of the potential carcass, especially for sheep. Higher dressing percentages on sheep are often a result of much fatter carcasses. This is less true for goats unless they are excessively fat. This is because goats carry the bulk of their fat internally and this internal fat drops out with the gut and internal organs when slaughtered. Click here for more info on factors affecting dressing percentage in goats.

Goats – Hide Off /Head On (60 to 120 lbs. live). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46% to 52%

Kid Goats – Hide On /Head On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65% to 72%

Kid Goats – Hide Off /Head On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55% to 58%

Market Lambs – Hide Off /Head Off (90 to 120 lbs. live) . . . . . . . . . . 50% Avg.

Hot House Lambs – Hide On /Head On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65% to 70%

Hot House Lambs – Hide Off /Head On. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55% to 58%

Cull Sheep – Hide Off /Head On (Depending on Condition) . . . . . . . . 37% to 52%

These percentages are based on averages. They are helpful tools that you can use to calculate what the live cost will be when the animals are sold on a dress weight basis. The percentage yields will vary according to the condition of the animal, its breed, bone structure, lean content, fat ratio, etc.

Example: A live goat that weighs 60 lbs. is sold to a Halal market at $0.80/lb. 60 lbs x $0.80 = $48.00. This is what you are paid live weight. If dress weight is 48%, calculate as follows:

Divide $0.80 by 48% and the animal is worth $1.67/lb on a dress weight basis. If sold dress weight, .48 x 60 lbs = 28.8 lbs; or 28.8 lbs x $1.67 = $48.00