Multivariate Discriminant Analysis on Differentiating Sheep Breeds Based on Live Body and Carcass Measurements

The multivariate technique analysis was utilized for assigning and discriminating three Saudi sheep breeds, Naemi, Najdi and Hari based on live body and carcass traits. The traits were body height at wither and rump, percentage, hot carcass, cold carcass, and head weight which had a significant effect on breed. The phenotypic associations between the traits were also studied and strong associations between economically important traits were reported. The analyses of principal components were efficient in showing the total variation of 13 traits accumulated in linear combinations of four traits of most discriminant power body depth, ear length, body height at the rump, and head length. About 77% of the total variation between the breeds. Overall, the analysis of canonical discriminant was very successful in verifying the carcass of each breed considering thus previously mentioned 13 traits. It is recommended to disseminate the findings of this study as a guideline to assign slaughtered sheep and its carcass to its own breed when other means impossible to take place.