An examination of sample joint dissection and specific gravity techniques for assessing the carcass composition of steers slaughtered in commercial abattoirs

1973 ◽  
Vol 80 (3) ◽  
pp. 381-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. P. Ledger ◽  
B. Gilliver ◽  
J. M. Robb

SummaryThe relationships between joint and carcass specific gravities and composition are examined and the prediction efficiency of equations relating these parameters tabulated. The problems of assessing carcass composition in large abattoirs are indicated. The use of the tenth rib sample joint in conjunction with a specific gravity estimation technique is recommended.

1970 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 1081-1088 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nelson J. Adams ◽  
Z. L. Carpenter ◽  
C. W. Spaeth

Author(s):  
R. G. Wilkinson ◽  
J. F. D. Greenhalgh

Fixed amounts of roughage and concentrate can be allocated to growing ruminants in a number of different ways e.g. a) a mixed diet containing equal parts of roughage and concentrate b) split feeds, roughage being given alone until exhausted, then concentrate alone c) a mixture changing . progressively from all roughage to all concentrate d) half the animals given roughage and half concentrate. The results of these alternatives can be predicted from computer models based on current feeding standards. Recent evidence (Ørskov et al, 1981a; Williams et al, 1984) suggests that in cattle carcasses of similar weight and composition can be obtained by giving a fixed amount of roughage and concentrate as either a mixed diet, or as separate feeds, (i.e. alternatives (a) and (b), above)even though animals on (b) took significantly longer. (Ørskov et al (1981a) concluded that improved efficiency of energy utilisation in the split group could be accounted for by a decrease in the maintenance requirement of the animals, or an increase in the efficiency of energy utilisation during realimentation following a period of reduced nutrition. The results could also be explained by differences in carcass composition of the animals, since no measurement of the protein and fat content of the carcasses was made. Williams et al (1984) found no significant difference in carcass composition between the two groups, as determined by specific gravity measurements and concluded that associative effects caused a reduction in the energy available from straw when offered with barley in a mixed diet.


1982 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 178-180 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. Micko ◽  
Eugene I. C. Wang ◽  
Fred W. Taylor ◽  
Alvin D. Yanchuk

A simple spring-load pin-ejecting instrument, the "Pilodyn", was used to assess wood specific gravity of standing white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) trees. Pin penetrations in both debarked and unpeeled trees were compared with outerwood specific gravity determined from actual core samples taken near the Pilodyn test spots. High degrees of correlation were found for Pilodyn penetration measurements and the outerwood specific gravities. The Pilodyn tester can be used in tree specific gravity estimation as part of a selection program for tree improvement.


1965 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. M. Timon ◽  
Maurice Bichard

SUMMARYRelationships between specific gravity and carcass tissue were studied in 83 purebred Clun Forest lambs slaughtered at approximately 80 lb. liveweight and ranging in carcass weight from 29 to 42 lb. Carcass specific gravity accounted for 86·1% and 78·1% of the respective variances in carcass fat percentage and muscle percentage. Specific gravity determinations on a single joint were also highly correlated with the carcass tissues. Correlation coefficients between loin specific gravity and carcass fat and muscle were −0·89 and 0·82 respectively; corresponding figures for best-neck specific gravity were −0·86 with carcass fat percentage, and 0·76 with carcass muscle percentage. In partial correlation analyses, muscle/bone ratio failed to have a significant effect on these relationships. The usefulness of estimates of carcass composition based on specific gravity determinations is discussed in relation to the maximum probable errors associated with predicted values and with reference to the accuracy of these estimates under different experimental conditions. The magnitude of the confidence limits (P = 0·05) on individual predictions varied from ±2·98% to ±3·48% for fat and muscle respectively and for group (n = 12) predictions, from ±0·88% to ±1·01% respectively. This suggests that little confidence can be placed in specific gravity determinations as a reflection of real individual differences or small treatment differences.


1966 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-47 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Pradhan ◽  
W. R. McManus ◽  
C. L. Goldstone ◽  
R. F. Hart ◽  
V. N. Khandekar ◽  
...  

The half-carcasses from twelve Dorset Horn x Border Leicester-Merino lambs (3-5 months old) were used to investigate the relationships between the weight of the carcass and its cuts and their chemical composition. The specific gravity of the whole carcass and of the cuts was also measured.Half-carcass weight and chemical composition were highly correlated. Weight could be used to predict the chemical composition with a reasonable degree of accuracy. The loin, the leg, the leg plus loin and the residual were shown to be highly correlated with the chemical composition of the halfcarcass. The loin and leg plus loin are the most convenient to use.


1974 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-51 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. L. Preston ◽  
R. D. Vance ◽  
V. R. Cahill ◽  
S. W. Kock

1977 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 233-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. D. DeB. Hovell ◽  
R. M. MacPherson ◽  
R. M. J. Crofts ◽  
K. Pennie

SUMMARY1. In a comparative slaughter experiment, 12 female pigs (six at 80 kg and six at 100 kg) were allocated at first oestrus to each of five treatments: Treatment 1, initial slaughter, or Treatments 2, 3 and 4, mated and given 19·5, 25·8 or 32·1 MJ ME/day for the last 100 days of pregnancy, or Treatment 5, not mated (virgin) and given 25·8 MJ ME/day over a similar period. Pigs on Treatments 2, 3, 4 and 5 were given the same amount of protein and were killed about 123 days after first oestrus. Piglets were removed at birth.2. There was no evidence of any special effect of pregnancy in the stimulation of permanent maternal growth. The average live weight, ingesta-free body and carcass gains of the pair-fed, mated and virgin gilts (±SE of difference) were, respectively, 32·3 and 36·9 + 2·8, 27·5 and 27·6 ± 3·4, and 26·0 and 26·7 + 2·1 kg. There were no statistically significant differences between these two treatments in carcass composition, specific gravity or backfat thickness. The mated pigs had lighter livers (P < 0·01) and heavier reproductive tracts (P < 0·05), and lost about 9 kg within a week of parturition.3. Increasing energy intake increased piglet birth weights (P<005) but had no effect on the number of piglets born. The pigs that were initially heavier (100 kg v. 80 kg) had 1·5 more piglets, though this was not statistically significant (P<0·1).4. Although there was no special effect of pregnancy on permanent maternal growth, the conversion of food by the once-mated pig was very efficient if an allowance was made for the food cost of producing the piglets.


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