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There are several options in sheep genetics for production systems, since local genetic resources (generally adapted to environmental conditions) to specialized breeds. Crossbreeding is an alternative to explore heterosis and complementarity between breeds. This study evaluated eight genetic groups from crossbreding between Santa Inês (SI), Poll Dorset (PD), Dorper (DO), East Friesian (EF), Primera (PR), and White Dorper (WD). SI and PD were used as maternal and paternal breed, while the others were used only as sires. Forty-eight male lambs were evaluated for withers height, thoracic perimeter, body and back length and skin thickness, as well as cold carcass weight and weights of commercial cuts such as neck, belly, shoulder, leg, rib and loin. Santa Inês took more time to reach the designated slaughter weight (30kg) than Dorper and Poll Dorset crosses. 87PDSI, 75PDSI and DOPD showed higher commercial cut weights and carcass yield. The use of Santa Inês, a locally-adapted hair breed, as maternal breed in crossbreeding system showed similar results to use of Poll Dorset, a meat specialized breed. These results highlight the usefulness of a local genetic resource in intensive system. Poll Dorset are recommended as sires for crossing with Santa Inês dams in intensive lamb rearing systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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