Relationship between the live assessment of Holstein-Friesian bulls and beef breed crosses, and the post-mortem objective evaluation of beef carcasses

Purchasing specifications for beef carcasses have been aimed at reducing carcass variability and elevating the visual and keeping qualities of retail cuts. But more recently, the Meat and Livestock Commission's blueprint for improved consistent quality beef has incorporated a number of post-mortem treatments aimed at improving tenderness. Do these treatments which include electrical stimulation, pelvic bone suspension, slow chilling and prolonged ageing, exert an influence on quality which masks the intrinsic variation due to the primary production factors of feed, age, sex and possibly breed, or are the production and post-mortem effects additive? To what extent are the post-mortem treatments themselves additive?

Download Full-text

The effect of extended post-mortem ageing on the Warner–Brazler shear force of longissimus thoracis from beef heifers from two sire breeds, slaughtered at 20 or 25 mo of age

Irish Journal of Agricultural and Food Research ◽

10.15212/ijafr-2020-0116 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

A.P. Moloney ◽

B. Picard ◽

L. Moran

Keyword(s):

Chemical Analysis ◽

Consumer Satisfaction ◽

Shear Force ◽

Muscle Fibres ◽

Type I ◽

Post Mortem ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

Holstein Friesian ◽

Main Effects ◽

Sire Breed

The effects on tenderness of extended ageing of longissimus thoracis (LT, striploin) muscle that differed in structure and composition were examined. Spring-born Angus × Holstein-Friesian heifers (n = 48) and Belgian Blue × Holstein-Friesian heifers (n = 48) were slaughtered, within sire breed, at 20 or 25 mo of age. Approximately 48 h post-mortem, LT steaks (2.5 cm) were removed, and either stored at −20°C for chemical analysis or vacuum-packed, stored at 2°C for 7, 14 or 28 d post-mortem and then at −20°C pending Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF) analysis. Muscle from Angus-sired heifers had higher (P < 0.001) intramuscular fat (IMF) concentration, lower (P < 0.001) proportion of type IIX muscle fibres and higher (P < 0.001) proportion of type IIA and type I muscle fibres compared to muscle from Belgian Blue-sired heifers. Collagen characteristics did not differ between sire breeds. Later slaughter increased (P < 0.001) IMF concentration and decreased (P < 0.001) total and insoluble concentrations and collagen solubility. There were no interactions between the main effects for WBSF and no difference between sire breeds. Later slaughter and increasing the duration of ageing decreased (P < 0.05) WBSF. Based on threshold WBSF values in the literature, all samples would be considered tender (<39 N) after 7 d ageing. Untrained consumers are likely to detect the decrease in WBSF from 7 to 14 d ageing but not due to further ageing. Within the production system examined and based on WBSF data, extending LT ageing to 28 d is not necessary to ensure consumer satisfaction.

Download Full-text

Intra- and inter-observer reliability of a protocol for post mortem evaluation of bruises in Chilean beef carcasses

Livestock Science ◽

10.1016/j.livsci.2011.12.014 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 145 (1-3) ◽

pp. 271-274 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

A.C. Strappini ◽

K. Frankena ◽

J.H.M. Metz ◽

B. Kemp

Keyword(s):

Post Mortem ◽

Observer Reliability ◽

Beef Carcasses

Download Full-text

LIVE BODY MEASUREMENTS IN TEN FIRST CROSSES OF BEEF COWS RAISED IN TWO ENVIRONMENTS

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas89-010 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 69 (1) ◽

pp. 69-82 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

R. M. McKAY ◽

G. W. RAHNEFELD ◽

G. M. WEISS ◽

H. T. FREDEEN ◽

J. E. LAWSON

Keyword(s):

Body Length ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Beef Cows ◽

Environment Interaction ◽

Body Measurements ◽

Data Set ◽

Beef Breed ◽

Genotype Environment Interaction ◽

The Status ◽

Breed Crosses

Live body measurements on beef cows representing 10 F1 crosses were recorded in 1976 (890 cows) and 1980 (586 cows) at Brandon, Manitoba and Manyberries, Alberta. The crosses included the Hereford × Angus (HA) and crosses sired by Charolais, Limousin, and Simmental bulls out of Angus, Hereford, and Shorthorn dams. Cows were classified into three nursing status groups in 1976, dry-nursing, nursing-dry, and nursing-nursing, only two groups in 1980, dry-nursing and nursing-nursing. The group refers to the status in the year prior to the measurements and the year of measurement, respectively. The objectives of the study were: (1) to compare the HA to the exotic crosses and determine differences among the exotic crosses; (2) to evaluate the effect of nursing status on the live cow measurements; (3) to study the differences between the two locations; and (4) to relate the size of the cows in 1976 relative to their size in 1980. Exotic cross cows were higher at the withers and hips, longer, heavier at weaning, and had less subcutaneous fat cover than HA cows. Differences among the exotic crosses were found for all traits in both years with the exception of subcutaneous fat cover in 1980. Possible genotype × environment interactions were observed as a cow cross × nursing group interaction was found for subcutaneous fat cover at both locations in the 1976 data and a cow cross × location interaction for body length in the 1980 data. Nursing status affected cow weight at weaning, subcutaneous fat cover, height at the withers, and body length in the 1976 data but only cow weight at weaning and subcutaneous fat cover in the 1980 data set. Differences between locations were found for cow weight at weaning and height at the withers in 1976, and subcutaneous fat cover and body length in 1976 and 1980. Cows at Brandon achieved a greater proportion of their mature body size by 1976 than their contemporaries at Manyberries for all traits measured. Key words: Cattle (beef), breed crosses, cow, body measurements, genotype environment interaction

Download Full-text

Grain feeding increases core body temperature of beef cattle

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an13463 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 54 (4) ◽

pp. 444 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

R. H. Jacob ◽

V. S. M. Surridge ◽

D. T. Beatty ◽

G. E. Gardner ◽

R. D. Warner

Keyword(s):

Body Temperature ◽

Core Body Temperature ◽

Low Ph ◽

Post Mortem ◽

The Core ◽

Feedlot Steers ◽

Beef Carcasses ◽

Condition Score ◽

Rate Of Cooling ◽

Core Body

The core body temperature and post slaughter loin temperatures of steers fed on grass pasture was compared with those of steers fed a grain-based feedlot diet. The feeding treatments were grass for 300 days (Grass), grass for 150 days then feedlot for 150 days (Short Feedlot) and feedlot for 300 days (Long Feedlot). Temperature telemeters were inserted under the peritoneum of the steers and temperature measured at intervals of 1 h for the 300 days, and then at intervals of 1 min for the 48-h period before slaughter. The pH and temperature decline post mortem was also measured. The carcasses of the feedlot steers were heavier and fatter than those from the Grass-fed steers. The core body temperature of the steers from the feedlot treatments was 0.3–0.4°C higher than for the Grass treatment at the time of slaughter. The loin temperature was higher in the feedlot treatments than the Grass treatment at all times measured post mortem as was the temperature at pH 6. Feedlotting can increase the likelihood of ‘high rigor temperature’ conditions of high temperature and low pH occurring in beef carcasses, due to an increase in core body temperature before slaughter, a decrease in the rate of cooling and an increase in the rate of pH decline post mortem. These effects are possibly due to a combination of a direct effect of feed type on body temperature as well as indirect effects on bodyweight and condition score.

Download Full-text

Assessing seal carcasses potentially subjected to grey seal predation

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-80737-9 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Abbo van Neer ◽

Stephanie Gross ◽

Tina Kesselring ◽

Miguel L. Grilo ◽

Eva Ludes-Wehrmeister ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Marine Mammals ◽

Objective Evaluation ◽

The Body ◽

Halichoerus Grypus ◽

Post Mortem ◽

Grey Seal ◽

Retrospective Evaluation ◽

Geographic Ranges ◽

Circular Pattern ◽

Wound Margin

AbstractIn order to conduct an objective evaluation of potential ecological effects of grey seal predation on marine mammals, it is essential to establish a broad knowledge base helping in the thorough identification of such cases during post-mortem examination. The aim of this work is to report and discuss outcomes resulting from a retrospective evaluation of harbour (Phoca vitulina) and grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) stranding and necropsy data (n = 3274). In addition, the results are compared to a recent case of definite grey seal predation from Germany as well as reports from other countries. Carcasses potentially subjected to grey seal predation show severe lacerations with a circular pattern leaving a smooth, linear and cut-like wound margin. Large parts of skin and underlying tissue are detached from the body and loss of blubber is common. Occurrence frequencies of encountered lesions are presented and a list of parameters to be used for the assessment of similar cases as well as a complementary decision tree are suggested. With the proposed parameters, categories and tools, a baseline can be built in order to facilitate the standardised recognition of predation cases during post-mortem examinations of seals between groups working with populations across several geographic ranges.

Download Full-text

A comparison of purebred Holstein-Friesian and Holstein-Friesian × beef breed bulls for beef production and carcass traits

Agricultural and Food Science ◽

10.23986/afsci.7781 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 262-271 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Arto Kalevi Huuskonen ◽

Maiju Pesonen ◽

Hilkka Kämäräinen ◽

Risto Kauppinen

Keyword(s):

Carcass Traits ◽

Production Traits ◽

Beef Production ◽

Beef Breed ◽

Holstein Friesian

The objective of this study was to determine beef production traits of purebred Holstein-Friesian (Hol) and Hol×beef breed crossbred bulls. The data collected from slaughterhouses included observations of 87323 purebred Hol, 783 Hol×Aberdeen angus (Hol×Ab), 621 Hol×Blonde d’Aquitaine (Hol×Ba), 562 Hol×Charolais (Hol×Ch), 349 Hol×Hereford (Hol×Hf), 1691 Hol×Limousin (Hol×Li) and 570 Hol×Simmental (Hol×Si) bulls. For estimating valuable cuttings also a separate dataset was collected and included observations of 8806 purebred Hol, 57 Hol×Ab, 29 Hol×Ba, 22 Hol×Ch, 15 Hol×Hf, 111 Hol×Li and 58 Hol×Si bulls. Crossbreeding Hol cows with late maturing breeds (Ba, Ch, Li, Si) had favorable effects on carcass gain, conformation and proportion of high value joints of the progeny when compared to purebred Hol bulls. No advantages in proportion of valuable cuttings seemed to be obtained by crossbreeding with Ab or Hf breeds, while the improvements in gain and conformation were intermediate compared to the late maturing crossbreds.

Download Full-text

Causes, Patterns, and Economic Implications of Carcass Condemnation of Cattle Slaughtered at Oshana Region, North of Namibia Based on Post-Mortem Inspection

Journal of Food Quality and Hazards Control ◽

10.18502/jfqhc.7.4.4843 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

P. Mbiri ◽

B. Mushonga ◽

C. Madzinga ◽

O. Madzingira ◽

A. Samkange ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Retrospective Study ◽

Statistical Analysis ◽

Meat Inspection ◽

Post Mortem ◽

Economic Implications ◽

Condemnation Rate ◽

Beef Carcasses ◽

Spss Software ◽

Female Cattle

Background: Meat inspection is one of the essential tools for ensuring good quality and safe meat. The objective of this study was to evaluate carcass condemnation of cattle slaughtered in Oshana region, North of Namibia. Methods: In this 4-year retrospective study, causes, patterns, and economic implications of carcass condemnation of cattle slaughtered in Oshana region, North of Namibia were evaluated based on post-mortem inspection procedure. The SPSS software version 25 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Overall, 0.37% (120 out of 32 648) beef carcasses were condemned during the period of this study. The major causes of condemnation of carcasses were bruising (60 out of 120; 50%), followed by pus contamination. The condemnation rate in female cattle (65%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than male cattle (35%). Overall, a significantly greater number (p<0.05) of carcasses were condemned in summer (74.2%) than in winter (25.8%). Conclusion: This study identified bruising, pus contamination, and cachexia as the major causes of bovine carcass condemnation in North of Namibia and showed that carcass condemnation rate varied with the year, season, and age.

Download Full-text

Production, carcass characteristics and valuable cuts of purebred Simmental and Simmental × beef breed crossbred bulls in Finnish beef cattle population

Annals of Animal Science ◽

10.1515/aoas-2016-0065 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 17 (2) ◽

pp. 413-422 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Arto Huuskonen ◽

Maiju Pesonen

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Subcutaneous Fat ◽

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Cattle Population ◽

Beef Breed ◽

Carcass Conformation ◽

Breed Crosses

Abstract The objective of the present research was to study the potential for improvement of growth and carcass traits through Simmental (Si) × beef breed crossbreeding compared to purebred Si bulls in Finnish beef cattle population. The data collected from Finnish slaughterhouses included observations of 6 224 purebred Si bulls plus Si × beef breed crosses. For estimating valuable cuttings, a separate dataset including in total 314 bulls was also collected. The estimated average daily carcass gain of the purebred Si bulls was 686 g/d and it improved by 3 and 6% with Si×Blonde d’Aquitaine and Si×Charolais crossbreds, respectively. Carcass conformation improved by using Blonde d’Aquitaine, Limousin and Charolais crossbreeding compared to the pure Si bulls. Si×British breed crossbreds (Angus and Hereford) had poorer carcass gain and produced poorer conformed carcasses compared to purebred Si bulls. Furthermore, the yield of subcutaneous fat was higher in the Si×Angus and Si×Hereford bulls than in the purebred Si bulls.

Download Full-text

Muscle, Ageing and Temperature Influence the Changes in Texture, Cooking Loss and Shrinkage of Cooked Beef

Foods ◽

10.3390/foods9091289 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (9) ◽

pp. 1289 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rozita Vaskoska ◽

Minh Ha ◽

Zahra Batool Naqvi ◽

Jason David White ◽

Robyn Dorothy Warner

Keyword(s):

Biceps Femoris ◽

Cooking Loss ◽

Post Mortem ◽

Longitudinal Shrinkage ◽

Beef Carcasses ◽

Cooking Temperature ◽

Muscle Types ◽

Psoas Major ◽

Physical Changes ◽

Transverse Shrinkage

This study aimed to quantify the effect of muscle, ageing and cooking temperature on the texture, cooking loss and shrinkage of cooked beef. Cuboids from unaged (1 day post mortem) and aged (14 days post mortem) semitendinosus, biceps femoris and psoas major muscles, from both sides of five beef carcasses, were cooked at four different cooking temperatures (50, 60, 70 and 80 °C) for 30 min. and their Warner–Bratzler shear force (WBSF), cooking loss and shrinkage (longitudinal and transverse) were quantified. The WBSF was reduced by ageing in the muscles at the specific cooking temperatures: psoas major (cooked at 50, 60 and 80 °C), semitendinosus (70 and 80 °C) and biceps femoris (80 °C). The cooking loss was 3% greater in aged compared to unaged muscles. The longitudinal shrinkage was greatest in psoas major at 80 °C amongst the muscle types and it was reduced by ageing in psoas major (70 and 80 °C) and biceps femoris (80 °C). The transverse shrinkage was reduced by ageing only in biceps femoris, across all temperatures; and the diameter of homogenized fibre fragments from semitendinosus and biceps femoris was reduced more by cooking at 50 °C in unaged compared to aged condition. WBSF was related to transverse shrinkage, and cooking loss was related to longitudinal shrinkage. The effect of muscle type on the physical changes occurring during cooking of beef is dependent on ageing and cooking temperature.

Download Full-text