Economics of callipyge lamb production

This paper examines the economic implications of callipyge (CLPG) lamb prod uction. The price, as it relates to competing meats and excess fat, signifi cantly impact lamb demand, and CLPG genetics improves those factors. The CL PG phenotype does not affect number or weight of lambs weaned or postweanin g ADG, but it does improve postweaning feed efficiency by approximately 10% ; dressing percentage approximately 7.5%; and yields of wholesale leg (11.8 %), loin (4.7%), rack (2.5%), and shoulder (2.3%). Total production costs f or a 59-kg lamb are 4% lower in CLPG lambs due to improved feed efficiency. Assuming pelt and offal value pays for slaughter costs, the costs of norma l (N) and CLPG carcasses are the same as for live lambs, $81 and $78, respe ctively; but, due to dressing percentage, the N carcass weighs 29.2 kg and the CLPG carcass, 31.4 kg. Thus, carcass costs for N and CLPG lambs are $2. 77/kg and $2.49/kg, respectively. Decreased feed costs, combined with incre ased carcass and primal cut yields for CLPG lambs, lowers the price require d to recover meat costs for leg, loin, rack, and shoulder by 19.7, 14.4, 12 .6, and 11.9%, respectively. Successful marketing of CLPG loin and rack dep ends on the use of one of several postharvest tenderization procedures. Moi sture-enhanced pork is accepted by consumers and often sells for a premium; and moisture enhancement may be appropriate for CLPG lamb. The meat cost p er kilogram (including a $.10 per kilogram treatment cost) of tenderized En d moisture-enhanced CLPG leg, loin, rack, and shoulder containing 10% added water and ingredients would be lowered to $2.51, $4.65, $5.34, and $1.85, respectively. That represents a total of a 20.9% reduction in cost-basis pr ice. When expressed on the basis of increased revenue from the additional y ield of cuts at a given market price, the value of CLPG and moisture-enhanc ed CLPG cuts from a 59-kg lamb would be, respectively, 14.2% and 23.4% high er than for N lamb. Industrywide adoption of CLPG could increase intermedia te-run U.S. profits by $109 million, but the actual effects of CLPG attribu tes, such as a visual appeal, lower fat and cholesterol content, and reduce d seam fat, on consumer demand need to be quantified. If accepted by packer s and consumers, moisture-enhanced CLPG lamb has the potential to decrease the cost of lamb to consumers and increase lamb industry profitability.