Fat and conformation comparisons for lamb carcases

Find out how fat and conformation vary with classification.

You can see what each classification looks like using our virtual selection tool.

O1 Classification

Conformation

Profiles straight to concave; average muscle development.

Legs: Profiles tending to be slightly concave
Loin: Lacking width and fullness
Shoulder: Tending to be narrow, lacking fullness

Fat

None up to very low fat cover.

External: Traces of or no fat cover
Abdominal: Traces of or no fat visible on the kidneys
Thoracic: Traces of or no fat visible between the ribs

O2 Classification

Conformation

Profiles straight to concave; average muscle development.

Legs: Profiles tending to be slightly concave
Loin: Lacking width and fullness
Shoulder: Tending to be narrow, lacking fullness

Fat

Slight fat cover, flesh visible almost everywhere.

External: A slight layer of fat covers part of the carcase, but may be less evident on the loin and shoulders; there may be a lack of firmness in the flank area
Abdominal: Traces of fat or a slight layer of fat envelops part of the kidneys
Thoracic: Muscle clearly visible between the ribs

R3L Classification

Conformation

Profiles generally straight; good muscle development.

Legs: Profiles mainly straight
Loin: Full, but less width to the shoulder
Shoulder: Good development, but less full

Fat

Flesh, with the exception of the leg and shoulder, almost entirely covered with a thin fat cover; slight deposits in the thoracic cavity.

External: A layer of fat covering most or the entire carcase; slightly thickened fat zones at the base of the tail
Abdominal: Light layer of fat envelops the kidneys
Thoracic: Muscle still visible between the ribs

R3H Classification

Conformation

Profiles generally straight; good muscle development.

Legs: Profiles mainly straight
Loin: Full, but less width to the shoulder
Shoulder: Good development, but less full

Fat

Flesh, with the exception of the leg and shoulder, almost entirely covered with thickening fat cover; increasing deposits in the thoracic cavity.

External: A light layer of fat covering most or the entire carcase; thickened fat zones at the base of the tail, over the chump loin and shoulder
Abdominal: Thicker layer of fat envelops part or all of the kidneys
Thoracic: Slight fat deposits may be visible between the ribs

R4L Classification

Conformation

Profiles generally straight; good muscle development.

Legs: Profiles mainly straight
Loin: Full, but less width to the shoulder
Shoulder: Good development, but less full

Fat

Flesh covered with fat, but still partly visible on the legs and shoulder; some distinctive fat deposits in the thoracic cavity.

External: A thick layer of fat covering most or all of the carcase, but may be thinner on limbs and thickening on shoulders
Abdominal: Kidney is enveloped in fat
Thoracic: Muscle between the ribs may be slightly infiltrated with fat; deposits may be visible on the ribs

R5 Classification

Conformation

Profiles generally straight; good muscle development.

Legs: Profiles mainly straight
Loin: Full, but less width to the shoulder
Shoulder: Good development, but less full

Fat

Carcase thickly covered with fat; heavy fat deposits in the thoracic cavity.

External: Very thick fat cover, patches of fat sometimes visible; the flank will be very thick, firm to the touch, with very heavy flank fat deposits
Abdominal: Kidneys enveloped in thick layer of fat
Thoracic: Muscle between the ribs infiltrated with fat; deposits visible on the ribs

U3H Classification

Conformation

Profiles generally convex; very good muscle development.

Legs: Full, profiles convex
Loin: Wide and full to the shoulder
Shoulder: Convex and full

Fat

Flesh, with the exception of the leg and shoulder, almost entirely covered with thickening fat cover; increasing deposits in the thoracic cavity.

External: A light layer of fat covering most or the entire carcase; thickened fat zones at the base of the tail, over the chump loin and shoulder
Abdominal: Thicker layer of fat envelops part or all of the kidneys
Thoracic: Slight fat deposits may be visible between the ribs

U4H Classification

Conformation

Profiles generally convex; very good muscle development.

Legs: Full, profiles convex
Loin: Wide and full to the shoulder
Shoulder: Convex and full

Fat

Flesh covered with fat; distinctive fat deposits in the thoracic cavity.

External: A thick layer of fat covering most or the entire carcase; the flank will be thick, firm to the touch, with heavy flank fat deposits
Abdominal: Kidneys enveloped in fat
Thoracic: Muscle between the ribs infiltrated with fat; deposits may be visible on the ribs

Virtual selection tool

Our virtual selection tool shows how real and virtual animals look at different points in the classification grid.

It also takes you through different carcase cuts, yield data and several other topics related to selection.

View our virtual selection and grading tool

Further information

Order a copy of our understanding lambs and carcases guide

EUROP grid for lamb

Carcase classification for lamb

Topics:

Lamb Supply Chain Livestock Selection and carcase classification

Sectors:

Beef & Lamb