International Journal of Agricultural Science Research Vol. 3(11), pp. 232-242, November 2014 ISSN 2327-3321 ©2014 Academe Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Apparent defects and grading of hides and skins in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Melkamu Bezabih Yitbarek

Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Debre Markos University, Ethiopia.

E-mail: melkamu_bezabihy@yahoo.com, tirumelk@gmail.com. Tel: +251911054673.

Accepted 20 October, 2014

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess the apparent defects and grading of hides and skins in Eastern Gojjam zone at three woredas (Dejen, Sinan and Awable). Three warehouses from each woreda were purposively selected and used to generate the data from cow hide, sheep and goat skins. 10% of the total stocks were taken randomly from each warehouse and a total of 180 hides, 2250 sheep skin and 765 goat skins were examined by using close observation. Hides and skins were graded according to the standard set by the Ethiopian Quality and Standard Authority. From these amounts, 74 (41.1%) hides, 750 (33.3%) sheep skins, 151 (31.4%) wet salted and 88 (30.9%) air dried goat skins were grade I; 90 (50%) hides, 1380 (61.3%) sheep, 261 (54.4%) wet salted and 168 (58.9%) air dried goat skins were grade II; 16 (8.9%) hides, 120 (5.3%) sheep skins, 67 (14%) wet salted and 29 (10.2%) air dried goat skin were grade III; and 1 (0.2%) wet salted goat skin was grade IV. The leading observed defects that downgrade the hides were filthiness with a value of 142 (17.9%), gouge mark with a value of 140 (17.7%) and poor pattern with a value of 107 (13.5%). Poor pattern and salt pitting on the hide showed a significant difference at P<0.05 significant level. However there is no significant difference on other defects. The observed primary defects on the sheep skin were filthiness with a value of 494 (22%), poor pattern with a value of 319 (14.2%) and gouge mark with a value of 221 (9.8%). Fly cut, poor pattern, salt crystallization and hard spot showed a marked statistical difference at p<0.05 significant level. The most important defects observed on the wet salted goat skin were filthiness with a value of 136 (28.3%), poor pattern with a value of 88 (18.3%) and fly cut with a value of 75 (15.6%). In this case, poor pattern, filthiness, scores, salt crystallization and salt pitting have shown a significant difference between woredas at P<0.05 significant level. Filthiness with a value of 88 (28.8%), poor pattern with a value of 40 (14%) and fly cut with a value of 32 (11.2%) were the forefront defects of air dried goat skin. Fly cut, poor pattern, corduroying, filthiness and weak spot have shown a statistical significant difference at P<0.05 significant level. This indicates that most defects on hides and skins occurred during slaughtering operations. Therefore, more attention should be taken during slaughtering of animals to get quality hides and skins for national as well as international market, and maximize the country’s foreign currency exchange.

Key words: Hides, skins, defects, grading.