Use of live ultrasound, weight and linear measurements to predict carcass composition of young beef bulls

Pre-slaughter ultrasound and whole side dissection data from 47 crossbred bulls were used to assess (1) the relative value of six previously published equations based on live animal measurements, (2) the value of alternative pre-slaughter measurements, and (3) the value of alternative ultrasound probes as predictors of whole side lean meat yield. Analysis of absolute bias-corrected residuals indicated that all six previously published equations predicted whole side lean meat yield with similar accuracy (P = 0.62), but analysis of absolute rank residuals indicated that an equation originally based on carcass measurements tended (P = 0.17) to rank bulls less precisely than five ultrasound-based equations. Breed composition, age, liveweight, hip width, heart girth, and round muscle depths did not contribute to new lean meat yield prediction equations (P > 0.10), but height, 12th/13th rib body wall, rump fat, and gluteus medius muscle depths and marbling score did (P < 0.10). However, examination of absolute residuals and absolute rank residuals indicated that accuracy (P = 0.55) and precision (P = 0.64) did not improve significantly compared to equations based only on height, rib fat and longissimus muscle size. Similarly, analysis of absolute residuals and absolute rank residuals indicated that fat and longissimus muscle depth measurements collected with a short probe predicted whole side lean meat yield as accurately and precisely as measurements collected with a long probe. Results indicated that (1) equations based on live measurements may provide more precise predictions of lean meat yield than equations derived from carcass measurements, (2) supplementing ultrasonic rib fat and longissimus muscle measurements with additional ultrasound measurements did not improve the accuracy or precision of lean meat yield prediction, and (3) lean meat yield of yearling bulls can be accurately predicted using fat and longissimus muscle depth measurements collected with a short probe. Key words: Ultrasound, beef bulls, carcass composition, prediction models

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Genetic correlations among indicator traits for carcass composition measured in yearling beef bulls and finished feedlot steers

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/a05-013 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 85 (4) ◽

pp. 463-473 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

R. Bergen ◽

S. P. Miller ◽

J. W. Wilton

Keyword(s):

Genetic Correlation ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Genetic Correlations ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

Carcass Weight ◽

Muscle Size ◽

Longissimus Muscle ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Feedlot Steers ◽

Beef Bulls

Genetic correlations were examined among 10 live growth and ultrasound traits measured in yearling beef bulls (n = 2172) and four carcass traits measured in crossbred finished feedlot steers (n = 1031). Heritabilities ranged from 0.13 (bull ultrasound longissimus muscle width) to 0.83 (yearling bull hip height). Genetic correlations indicated that selecting yearling bulls for increased growth rate and hip height would lead to higher carcass weight, increased longissimus muscle area and reduced levels of carcass marbling in steers. Bull ultrasound fat depth was positively associated with both carcass fat depth and marbling score. Most ultrasound longissimus muscle size measurements in bulls were positively associated with each other and with carcass longissimus muscle area in steers, but the magnitude of the genetic correlation with carcass measurements depended on the bull longissimus muscle size trait in question. This suggests that longissimus muscle shape in bulls may be related to carcass weight, fat and muscle traits in steers. Results confirm that while ultrasound is a valuable tool for the genetic improvement of carcass traits in beef cattle, genetic correlations between live bull ultrasound and steer carcass traits less then unity suggest that selection would benefit from multiple trait evaluations in situations where reliable carcass data are available. Key words: Ultrasound, beef carcass, heritability, genetic correlation

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Predicting lean meat yield in beef cattle using ultrasonic muscle depth and width measurements

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/a02-093 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 83 (3) ◽

pp. 429-434 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R. Bergen ◽

D. H. Crews ◽

Jr., S. P. Miller ◽

J. J. McKinnon

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

Ultrasound Measurement ◽

Independent Data ◽

Data Set ◽

Meat Yield ◽

Lean Meat ◽

Ultrasound Measurements ◽

Width Measurements ◽

Highly Correlated

The value of live ultrasound longissimus dorsi depth and width measurements as predictors of estimated carcass lean meat yield of steers (CARLEAN-S) and bulls (CARLEAN-B) was studied. In trial 1, equations were developed to predict estimated lean meat yield of steers (n = 116) from carcass weight (Eq. 1) or liveweight (Eq. 2), fat depth and l. dorsi area or liveweight, fat depth and l. dorsi depth × width (Eq. 3). Equation 1 was most precise (RSD = 25.6 g kg-1), followed by Eq. 2 (RSD = 27.8g kg-1) and Eq. 3 (RSD = 30.2g kg-1). Equations 2 and 3 predicted CARLEAN-S with similar accuracy (SEP = 23.8 vs. 24.9 g kg-1, respectively) and were highly correlated with each other (r = 0.89) in an independent data set (n = 118). Repeatability and accuracy of pre-slaughter l. dorsi depth and width measurements were studied in yearling bulls (trial 2; n = 191). When ultrasound measurements were expressed as a percentage of the average ultrasound measurement, repeatabilities of l. dorsi depth (SER = 6.2 to 7.8%) and width (SER = 4.2 to 6.1%) measurements were similar to fat depth and l. dorsi area measurements (SER = 17.9 and 4.5%, respectively). When ultrasound measurements were compared to the corresponding carcass measurements, l. dorsi depth (SEP = 10.3 to 13.9%) and width (SEP = 6.7 to 8.5%) measurements were as accurate as fat depth and l. dorsi area measurements (SEP = 32.9 and 8.4%, respectively). Equations were developed to predict CARLEAN-B of yearling bulls (n = 82) from liveweight, 12th rib ultrasound fat depth and either l. dorsi depth × width measurements (Eqs. 4 and 5) or two l. dorsi depth measurements (Eq. 6). All equations had similar precision (RSD = 19.4 to 19.5 g kg-1) and predicted CARLEAN-B similarly (SEP = 25.0, 24.6 and 26.1g kg-1 for Eqs. 4, 5 and 6, respectively) in an independent data set (n = 109). All equations were highly correlated (r ≥0.97) with an equation using ultrasound fat depth and l. dorsi area in the independent data set. Longissimus muscle depth and width measurements were as valuable as l. dorsi area for predicting carcass composition of yearling beef bulls in the present study. Key words: Ultrasound, beef cattle, carcass traits

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Effect of zeranol on fat deposition and carcass traits in beef heifers

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas92-109 ◽

1992 ◽

Vol 72 (4) ◽

pp. 965-968 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

B. D. King ◽

R. D. Bergen ◽

J. J. McKinnon ◽

R. D. H. Cohen ◽

R. N. Kirkwood

Keyword(s):

Key Words ◽

Carcass Traits ◽

Fat Deposition ◽

Carcass Weight ◽

Beef Heifers ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Meat Yield ◽

Lean Meat ◽

Beef Heifer

Non-pregnant beef heifers implanted with zeranol at birth and at 100 and 200 d of age were fed a finishing ration for 78 d to slaughter at 21–22 mo of age. Rate of fat deposition, grade fat and marbling score were less (P < 0.05) and carcass weight, rib-eye area and lean-meat yield were greater (P < 0.05) for implanted heifers than for non-implanted heifers. Key words: Zeranol, ultrasound, fat deposition, carcass, beef heifer

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Effect of MSTN Mutation on Growth and Carcass Performance in Duroc × Meishan Hybrid Population

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10060932 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (6) ◽

pp. 932

Author(s):

Weijian Li ◽

Rongyang Li ◽

Yinghui Wei ◽

Xueqing Meng ◽

Binbin Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Average Daily Gain ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

Hybrid Population ◽

Market Demand ◽

Muscle Area ◽

Meat Yield ◽

Female Ratio ◽

Lean Meat ◽

Carcass Performance ◽

Crossbred Pigs

The Meishan pig is a traditional Chinese native breed, known for its excellent reproduction performance that is widely used in commercial pig production through two-way or three-way crossbreeding systems. However, the lean meat yield of Meishan crossbred pigs is still very low and cannot meet the market demand. To evaluate the lean meat yield of Meishan crossbred pigs, six wild-type Meishan sows were artificially inseminated by using the MSTN+/− Duroc boar semen in this experiment. Some reproductive performance-related traits of Meishan sows were recorded to ensure that semen from MSTN knockout Duroc boar did not affect offspring production, including total births, live births, sex, and litter weight. In total, 73 piglets were obtained and 63 were alive. Male to female ratio was close to 1: 1. because of factors such as disease, only 43 pigs were utilized, including 28 MSTN mutant pigs (MSTN+/−) and 15 MSTN homozygous pigs (MSTN+/+). We compared the growth performance and carcass performance of these full or half-sib populations and found that there were no differences between MSTN+/− and MSTN+/+ genotypes for live animal measures including average daily gain (ADG), body dimensions, or ultrasonic measurement of fat thickness when pigs were harvested after 120 days of feeding. Conversely, the MSTN+/− pigs had higher dressing percentage and lean meat percentage, lower level of carcass fat, larger longissimus muscle area, less percentage of skin and skeleton, thinner average backfat thickness, and lower intramuscular fat (IMF) content than MSTN+/+ pigs. In conclusion, the production of MSTN+/− mutant progeny from Meishan females resulted in improved carcass composition, providing a feasible solution to improve the lean meat yield of Chinese local fat-type pig breeds.

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Understanding the impact of sire lean meat yield breeding value on carcass composition, meat quality, nutrient and mineral content of Australian lamb

Meat Science ◽

10.1016/j.meatsci.2020.108236 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 170 ◽

pp. 108236

Author(s):

Matthew I. Knight ◽

Kym L. Butler ◽

Nick P. Linden ◽

Viv F. Burnett ◽

Alex J. Ball ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Meat Quality ◽

Mineral Content ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

Breeding Value ◽

Meat Yield ◽

Lean Meat ◽

The Impact

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Selection for lean meat yield in lambs reduces indicators of oxidative metabolism in the longissimus muscle

Meat Science ◽

10.1016/j.meatsci.2013.08.017 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 96 (2) ◽

pp. 1058-1067 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

K.R. Kelman ◽

L. Pannier ◽

D.W. Pethick ◽

G.E. Gardner

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Metabolism ◽

Longissimus Muscle ◽

Meat Yield ◽

Lean Meat ◽

Selection For

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Using Australian Sheep Breeding Values to increase lean meat yield percentage

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an10144 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 50 (12) ◽

pp. 1098 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

G. E. Gardner ◽

A. Williams ◽

J. Siddell ◽

A. J. Ball ◽

S. Mortimer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carcass Composition ◽

Production Traits ◽

Eye Muscle ◽

Meat Yield ◽

Sheep Breeding ◽

Breeding Values ◽

Lean Meat ◽

Target Weight ◽

Australian Sheep ◽

The Impact

This study describes the impact of Australian Sheep Breeding Values (ASBV) for post-weaning weight (PWWT), C-site fatness (PFAT) and eye muscle depth (PEMD) on lamb carcasses within the Australian Sheep Industry CRC Information Nucleus Flock. These results are taken from the 2007 drop progeny, consisting of ~2000 lambs slaughtered at a target weight of 21.5 kg. These lambs were the progeny of sires selected to ensure genetic diversity across various production traits. As expected, the PWWT ASBV increased weight at slaughter, and hot standard carcass weight. Dressing percentage was markedly improved by increasing PEMD ASBV, thus prime lamb producers will be maintaining an animal of similar weight on farm, but delivering a markedly larger carcass at slaughter. Lean meat yield % (LMY%) was highest in the progeny of sires with low PFAT ASBV, which decreased whole carcass fatness and increased muscularity. PWWT ASBV affected carcass composition but had little impact on LMY%, as the decreased fatness was largely offset by increased bone, with relatively little change in muscle content. Lastly, PEMD ASBV had little impact on whole carcass LMY%, but did appear to cause some level of muscle redistribution to the higher value loin cuts, in turn increasing the value of the carcass lean.

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Characterization of Canadian grade standards and lean yield prediction for cows

Canadian Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.4141/cjas2012-091 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 93 (1) ◽

pp. 99-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

A. Rodas-González ◽

M. Juárez ◽

W. M. Robertson ◽

I. L. Larsen ◽

J. L. Aalhus

Keyword(s):

Carcass Characteristics ◽

Prediction Equation ◽

Lower Proportion ◽

Carcass Composition ◽

Grading System ◽

Yield Prediction ◽

Marbling Score ◽

Yield Attributes ◽

Separate Population

Rodas-González, A., Juárez, M., Robertson, W. M., Larsen, I. L. and Aalhus, J. L. 2013. Characterization of Canadian grade standards and lean yield prediction for cows. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 93: 99–107. Commercial carcasses (n=120) were selected to benchmark the current Canadian grading system for cows (D1, D2, D3, D4;>50% ossification) in comparison to A/AA grades youthful carcasses [over (OTM) and under (UTM) 30 mo of age based on dentition but <50% ossification]. With the exception of the D3 and D4 grades, D1 and D2 carcass grades had similar carcass yield attributes compared with OTM and UTM carcasses; however, rib-eye area from UTM carcasses was the largest (P<0.05), followed by D1, D2 and OTM. As expected, both OTM and UTM grades had lower ossification scores (P<0.05); however, D4 grade showed the highest marbling score (P<0.05). For carcass composition, compared with all other grades, the D3 grade had the highest proportion of lean (P<0.05) due to a lower proportion of dissectible fat (P<0.05); however, it had the lightest carcass weight (P<0.05). Using simple measures of carcass characteristics (grade fat, rib-eye area, marbling and ossification) a prediction equation to estimate lean yield (R 2=0.825; Cp=4.31) could be used to more accurately assess carcass value in cows; however, validation of the equation on a separate population would be required before its application.

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