The effects of the beta-adrenergic agonises ractopamine hydrochloride (RH; 0.35, 0.70 and 1 05 mg kg(-1) of BW d(-1)) and zilpaterol hydrochloride (ZH, 0 10, 0.20 and 0.30 mg kg(-1) of BW d(-1)) on growth performance and carcass characteristics were determined in 84 Dorper x Katandin lambs (12 lambs per treatment), that were randomly assigned to a complete block design during a 42-day feeding trial. Lambs were fed a corn grain-based diet (18.71% CP and 12.9 MJ/kg ME) Nutrient digestibility of diets and blood serum metabolites were also determined. There were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in growth characteristics by effect of ZH or RH administration. However, lambs final weight, total weight gain and ADG increased linearly (P < 0 05) as levels of both beta-adrenergic agonise increased RH or ZH administration did not affect feed efficiency, diet digestibility or particular blood serum metabolites of lambs. Carcass characteristics of lambs consuming ZH were significantly better (P < 0.01) than RH or control lambs, RH produced significant linear response on carcass weight, dressing percentage. longissimus muscle area, carcass conformation and quality grade, and improved quathatically (P < 0.05) fat thickness and USDA yield grade of lamb carcasses On the other hand, increasing levels of ZH decreased linearly (P > 0 01) fat thickness and improved (P > 0 05) USDA yield grade and carcass quality grade Both beta-adrenergic agonises improved carcass characteristics, although greater improvements were obtained with ZH than RH for most carcass characteristics. (C) 2010 Elsevier B V All rights reserved