Economics of marketing hogs by carcass weight and grade

1950 ◽  
Author(s):  
Owen Lavar Brough
Keyword(s):  
Author(s):  
P J Rincker ◽  
J B Allen ◽  
M Edmonds ◽  
M S Brown ◽  
J C Kube

Abstract There is a lack of consistency across the globe in how countries establish tissue ractopamine residue limits and which residue limits are applied to various tissues, particularly for edible noncarcass tissues. Therefore, some US beef slaughter organizations have recommended a 48-h voluntary removal of ractopamine before slaughter in order to meet residue requirements of specific export countries and maintain international trade. Our objective was to assess the impact of voluntary removal of ractopamine hydrochloride (Optaflexx®; Elanco, Greenfield, IN) up to 8 d before slaughter on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Crossbred beef steers (60 pens of 10 animals/pen) with an initial shrunk body weight (BW) of 611.8 ± 10 kg SEM were fed one of six treatments over 42 d. Treatments included a control that did not receive ractopamine, on-label use of ractopamine (0-d withdrawal), and 2, 4, 6, or 8 d of voluntary removal of ractopamine from feed before slaughter. The start of ractopamine feeding (30.1 mg/kg of diet dry matter for 32 d) was staggered so that blocks could be slaughtered on the same day. Dry matter intake was decreased by 0.5 kg/d when ractopamine was fed with a 0-d withdrawal (P = 0.04) compared to the control, but was not altered (P = 0.56) as the duration of ractopamine removal increased from 0 to 8 d. Final BW, total BW gain, and average daily BW gain were increased by feeding ractopamine with a 0-d withdrawal (P = 0.09) compared to the control, but these variables decreased in a linear manner (P = 0.10) as the duration of removal increased from 0 to 8 d. Gain efficiency was improved by 15% (P < 0.01) by feeding ractopamine with a 0-d withdrawal compared to the control, and gain efficiency decreased linearly (P = 0.06) as the duration of ractopamine removal increased. Approximately 2/3 of the increase in gain efficiency remained after 8 d of removal. Hot carcass weight was increased by 6 kg (P = 0.02) by feeding ractopamine with a 0-d withdrawal compared to the control. Measured carcass characteristics were not altered by ractopamine feeding or by removal before slaughter (P ≥ 0.24). The consequences of voluntary removal of ractopamine up to 8 d before slaughter were a linear decrease in live BW gain (0.64 kg/d), poorer gain efficiency, and numerically lighter carcass weight.


2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. 110-111
Author(s):  
David A Clizer ◽  
Paul Cline ◽  
Brent Frederick ◽  
Ryan S Samuel

Abstract Dried distiller grains with solubles (DDGS) is a popular protein source in grow-finish swine diets to replace soybean meal. An experiment was conducted at the South Dakota State University commercial swine research facility to determine the effect of standardized ileal digestible (SID) Trp:Lys ratio in grow-finish swine diets containing 40% DDGS compared to a standard corn-soybean meal diet. A total of 1,170 pigs (38.6 ± 0.2 kg initial BW) were utilized in a 98-d trial (9 pens per treatment). Pens of pigs were randomly allotted to 1 of 4 DDGS dietary treatments providing SID Trp at 15, 18, 21, and 24% of Lys or a corn-soybean meal diet (18%). Diets were isocaloric, with lysine at 100% of the requirement. From d 0 to 82, increasing Trp:Lys ratio in DDGS diets improved (P < 0.01) BW, ADG, and ADFI with no effect on F:G. Pigs fed the corn-soybean meal diet had greater (P < 0.01) BW, ADG, ADFI, and F:G compared to the DDGS diets with the exception of the ADFI of the 24% Trp:Lys treatment. From d 82 to 98, increasing SID Trp:Lys in DDGS diets had no effect on performance. Overall (d 0 to 98), increasing SID Trp:Lys in DDGS diets increased (P < 0.02) final BW and ADG, but pigs failed to perform to the same degree as the corn-soybean meal diet. Increasing SID Trp:Lys in DDGS diets resulted in an increase in hot carcass weight (P < 0.01); however, diets containing DDGS had decreased (P < 0.02) hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, percent lean, and loin depth compared to pigs fed the corn-soybean meal diet. These results indicate that increasing the SID Trp:Lys in diets containing 40% DDGS improved performance in early grow-finish phases with no effect in late finishing, but performance was inferior to standard corn-soybean meal diets.


1965 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 173-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. S. Novakowski

The relation of cemental deposition, incisor wear, eye-lens weight, and dressed carcass weight to age in bison was investigated in an attempt to define this relation on the basis of annual increments. It was expected that the bison, particularly in northern latitudes, would be subject to a cyclic or annual growth and aging process which would be reflected in an analysis of the above criteria. It was found that cemental deposition occurred in the premolars and molars beyond age 4 1/2 and that this deposition appeared in the form of alternating layers of translucent and opaque cementum, each set combined to form one annual band. Incisor wear provided a further check on this technique. It was found that eye-lens weight and dressed carcass weight were not reliable indicators of chronological age, particularly beyond 4 1/2 years of age when tooth replacement could not be used to define the limits of variability found in eye-lens weights and dressed carcass weights.


1963 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. 249
Author(s):  
RM Seebeck

Variations in the cross-sectional area of eye muscle of carcasses cut between the tenth and eleventh ribs were investigated, using 105 Hereford and 51 Angus steers aged 20 months. These cattle consisted of three groups, born in successive years. At constant carcass weight, statistically significant differences in eye muscle area were found between breeds and between years. Breed and year differences were also found in eye muscle area with width and depth of eye muscle constant, so that there are limitations to the estimation of eye muscle area from width and depth measurements. A nomograph is given for estimating eye muscle area from width and depth for Hereford and Angus cattle, when all animals are reared in the same year and environment. The use of eye muscle area as an indicator of weight of carcass muscle is discussed.


1981 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 319-324 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Kempster ◽  
J. P. Chadwick ◽  
D. W. Jones ◽  
A. Cuthbertson

ABSTRACTThe Hennessy and Chong Fat Depth Indicator and the Ulster Probe automatic recording instruments developed for measuring fat thickness were tested against the optical probe for use in pig carcass classification and grading.Fat thickness measurements were taken using each probe 60 mm from the dorsal mid-line over the m. longissimus at the positions of the 3rd/4th lumbar vertebrae, 3rd/4th last ribs and last rib on a total of 110 hot carcasses covering the range of market weights in Great Britain. The standard deviation of carcass lean proportion at equal carcass weight was 35·4 g/kg.The instruments differed little in the precision of carcass lean proportion prediction: residual standard deviation (g/kg) for the multiple regression with carcass weight and the best individual fat measurement for each probe were: last rib optical probe, 22·1; last rib Ulster Probe, 22·7; and 3rd/4th last rib Fat Depth Indicator, 21/6. Residual standard deviation (g/kg) for carcass lean proportion prediction from carcass weight and all three fat measurements in multiple regression were 21·3 optical probe, 21·3 Ulster Probe and 201 Fat Depth Indicator.Similar mean fat measurements were obtained from the optical probe and Fat Depth Indicator, and for these instruments, but to a lesser extent for the Ulster Probe, the regression relationships with each other and with fat thickness measurements taken on the cut surface of the cold carcass were also similar.The differences recorded in precision are unlikely to be sufficiently important to influence the choice of one probe rather than another.


1984 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. M. JONES ◽  
R. E. ROMPALA ◽  
J. W. WILTON ◽  
C. H. WATSON

Empty body weights, carcass weights and offal proportions were compared in 33 young beef bulls and 33 beef steers of different mature body size (35 small or mainly British breed crosses, 31 large or Continental crosses). All cattle were fed a high energy diet based on corn silage and high moisture corn from weaning to slaughter. Slaughter was carried out once 6 mm of fat had been attained at the 11/12th ribs, determined ultrasonically. Feed was removed 24 h and water 16 h prior to slaughter. The offal components were all weighed fresh and the alimentary components emptied of digesta. Bulls weighed 8.0% heavier (P < 0.05) than steers at slaughter, while large animals were 38.7% heavier (P < 0.0001) than small animals. Bulls and large animals had carcasses that dressed out 1.5% heavier than steers and small animals. To eliminate the effect of gutfill, carcass weights and offal components were expressed as a proportion of empty body weight. Bulls had a higher proportion of warm carcass weight and lower proportions of liver, spleen, heart, lungs, rumen, abomasum, large intestine and front feet relative to empty body weight than steers. Large animals had a greater proportion of warm carcass weight and hind feet, and a lower proportion of head, hide, liver, kidneys, omasum and small intestine relative to empty body weight than small animals. All castration by size interactions for liveweight, carcass weight, empty body weight and offal proportions were not significant. Castration and small animal size both increased the proportion of noncarcass parts relative to empty body weight in animals slaughtered at similar finish. Key words: Body, carcass, offal, bull, steer, maturity


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noel A Claffey ◽  
Alan G Fahey ◽  
Vasiliki Gkarane ◽  
Aidan P Moloney ◽  
Frank J Monahan ◽  
...  

Abstract Rations (DM basis) for spring-born male lambs consisting of concentrates ad libitum (CON), 50:50 (50% concentrate:50% forage), and forage ad libitum (FORG) were evaluated across feeding periods of three durations (36, 54, and 72 d). Lambs on CON diets were offered ad libitum access to concentrate along with 400 g of fresh weight silage (daily), while 50:50 diets were offered 0.9 and 3.0 kg of concentrate and silage, respectively. Lambs on FORG were offered ad libitum access to 25.5% DM silage. These rations were fed to 99 spring-born male Texel cross Scottish Blackface lambs which were assigned to a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. Lambs were slaughtered following completion of their respective treatments. Lambs fed CON diets had greater ADG, FCE, and carcass weight (P &lt; 0.001) and carcasses with greater conformation score (P &lt; 0.001) than lambs fed 50:50 or FORG diets. Duration of feeding had no effect on production variables across all three concentrate inclusion levels. It was concluded that the inclusion of concentrates is needed to adequately finish lambs fed indoors. Feeding lamb’s 50:50 diets resulted in modest responses and may be a viable option for finishing lambs or to maintain growth in lambs when the cost of concentrate feed is high relative to the financial return on the lamb meat.


2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (10) ◽  
pp. 1853 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. G. McPhail ◽  
J. L. Stark ◽  
A. J. Ball ◽  
R. D. Warner

Chilled lamb meat exported from Australia has, on occasions, been rejected by importing countries due to greening, after only 6 weeks of storage time. Greening is known to be more prevalent in high ultimate pH (pHu) beef meat (>5.9). There are few data available for lamb carcasses in Australia on the occurrence of high pHu meat, which may have an impact on the understanding and control of quality and greening during storage. The aim of this project was to determine the prevalence of, and influencing factors for, high pHu meat in a range of muscle types in lamb carcasses in Australia. Muscle pHu data were collected from a total of 1614 carcasses from 78 lots at four lamb processing plants in Victoria and New South Wales in autumn and spring of 2013. The pHu of the knuckle (rectus femoris), rack (longissimus) and blade (infraspinatus) was measured and data on carcass and lot characteristics were recorded. Data were subjected to restricted maximum likelihood and generalised linear mixed model analysis. The mean pHu of the knuckle, rack and shoulder were 6.06, 5.79 and 6.12 respectively, and the main factors influencing muscle pHu and occurrence of dark-cutting were breed, season, electrical stimulation and carcass weight. Merino lambs had a higher pHu in the blade and knuckle than did other breeds (P < 0.05, P < 0.01 respectively). Lambs processed in autumn had a higher predicted pHu in the blade and knuckle and a higher percentage dark-cutting (DC; pHu >6.0) for those muscles, than did those processed in spring (P < 0.05). Carcasses that had been electrically stimulated had a higher %DC and a higher pHu in all three muscles (P < 0.05). Carcass weight had a significant effect on the pHu of all three muscles (P < 0.001), with heavier carcasses having a lower pHu and lower %DC. The pHu of the rack was not a reliable predictor for the pHu in other muscles of the lamb carcass. In conclusion, the high occurrence of DC in the muscles, particularly the blade and knuckle, suggests that these muscles may be at risk for producing greening in the vacuum bag during storage.


1979 ◽  
Vol 30 (6) ◽  
pp. 1207 ◽  
Author(s):  
JM Thompson ◽  
KD Atkins ◽  
AR Gilmour

Half-carcasses of 108 wether and ewe lambs from six genotypes, slaughtered at 34, 44 and 54 kg liveweight, were dissected into subcutaneous fat, intermuscular fat, muscle, bone and connective tissue. The six genotypes were the progeny of Dorset Horn and Border Leicester rams mated to Merino, Corriedale and Border Leicester x Merino first-cross ewes. As carcass weight increased, the proportion of subcutaneous and intermuscular fat increased (b > 1 ; P < 0.05) and the proportion of muscle and bone decreased (b < 1; P < 0.05). Lambs sired by Border Leicester rams had more subcutaneous fat (12.7%), more intermuscular fat (7.6%) and more bone (5.7%) than lambs sired by Dorset Horn rams at the same carcass weight (P< 0.05). Similarly, lambs sired by Dorset Horn rams had more muscle (7.2%) than lambs sired by Border Leicester rams at the same carcass weight (P < 0.05). Breed of dam had no effect on carcass composition. Wether lambs had a greater proportion of bone (5.7%) than ewe lambs at the same carcass weight (P < 0.05). The breed of sire effect and the lack of a breed of dam effect on carcass composition, in conjunction with estimated mature weights for the breeds, suggest possible differences between sire and dam breeds in the partitioning of fat between the carcass and non-carcass depots. ____________________ *Part I, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 30: 1197 (1979).


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