Estimation of lamb carcass composition using an electronic probe, a visual scoring system and carcass measurements

1992 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 237-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. M. Jones ◽  
L. E. Jeremiah ◽  
A. K. W. Tong ◽  
W. M. Robertson ◽  
L. L. Gibson

Sixteen hundred and sixty lambs were used to determine the precision of carcass measurements (fat thickness, muscle thickness, tissue depth) and a visual scoring system for muscle and fat thickness to estimate carcass composition. Measurements of fat (F) and muscle (M) thickness were made in warm and cold carcasses and total tissue depth in warm carcasses only between the 10th and 11th ribs and the 12th and 13th ribs using an electronic probe (Hennessy Grading Probe HGP). F explained 40–64% of the variation in carcass lean and 44–72% of the variation in carcass fat depending on the location and number of measurements and whether they were made on a warm or cold carcass. In most cases when M was added to F there was no increase in the variation explained in composition over that provided by F alone. Total tissue depth measurements differed in precision for the prediction of carcass lean content with the 12th rib being superior to the 10th rib (RSD for 12th rib, 33.2 g kg−1; 10th rib, 36.6 g kg−1). Visual assessment of carcasses for fatness had the lowest precision for the prediction of lean content (RSD, 44.5 g kg−1). Loin eye area and fat thickness measured at the 12th rib had similar precision for the estimation of lean content as probe measurements. It was concluded that probe measurements of F or tissue depth between the 12th and 13th ribs would provide a superior method to the visual assessment of carcass fatness used in this study for classifying lamb carcasses for lean content and would allow carcasses to be graded on the slaughter floor. Key words: Lamb, carcass, grading, Hennessy Grading Probe, composition

1989 ◽  
Vol 69 (3) ◽  
pp. 641-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. D. M. JONES ◽  
A. K. W. TONG ◽  
W. M. ROBERTSON

Five hundred and thirty-one beef carcasses were used to establish if Hennessy Grading Probe (HGP) measurements provided a more accurate assessment of carcass lean content than a visual scoring system or linear carcass measurements. Carcasses were probed at the 5th/6th, 11th/12th, 12th/13th ribs, 2nd/3rd lumbar and sacral crest position (P8). Carcasses were then visually appraised for overall fat cover and muscle thickness. Following 24 h of cooling, the measurements by HGP and visual scores were repeated. Fat thickness and loin eye area were recorded at the 12th rib. Precision for the prediction of carcass lean by HGP was similar in warm or cold carcasses and the lowest error of prediction for the probe was associated with measurements made at the 12th/13th rib (RSD 31.8 g kg−1). A combined visual score for overall fat cover and muscle thickness was more precise (RSD 28.6 g kg−1) than probe measurements for predicting lean yield in warm and cold carcasses. Canada grade had the lowest precision (RSD 34.7 g kg−1) for predicting lean yield, but measurements of average fat thickness and loin eye area at the 12th rib gave the best overall prediction (RSD 27.1 g kg−1) of carcass lean content. It was concluded that the HGP provided a method to classify warm carcasses for lean content, but the improvement in precision over conventional grading procedures was not large. Key words: Beef, carcass, grading, Hennessy grading probe, composition


1986 ◽  
Vol 106 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-237 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. J. Kempster ◽  
J. P. Chadwick ◽  
D. D. Charles

SUMMARYCarcass data for 1053 steers from the Meat and Livestock Commission's beef breed evaluation programme were used to examine the relative precision of alternative fatness assessments for predicting carcass lean percentage. The data were from four trials and comprised both dairy-bred and suckler-bred cattle by a wide range of sire breeds.A visual assessment of carcass subcutaneous fat content to the nearest percentage unit (SFe) was the single most precise predictor both overall (residual S.d. = 2·28) and within breed (residual S.d. = 2·05). Precision was improved by the addition in multiple regression of the percentage perinephric and retroperitoneal fat (KKCF) in carcass, a visual score of the degree of marbling in the m. longissimus and selected fat thickness measurements taken by calipers on cut surfaces (residual S.d. = 2·11 (overall) and 1·90 (within breed)).When the best overall equation was applied to the breed means, there was substantial bias (predicted – actual carcass lean percentage). Biases ranged from +2·5 (purebred Canadian Holstein and Luing) to – 1·3 (Limousin crosses).Breeds differed significantly in carcass lean content when compared at equal levels of fatness measurements. The differences depended both on the precision with which the measurements predicted carcass lean content and the observed differences in carcass composition that existed before adjustments to equal fatness were made.The robustness of prediction equations was examined by applying them to independent sets of data (a total of 334 carcasses) from four other trials involving steers, heifers, cows and young bulls. Equations were stable for cattle of the same breed, sex and similar levels of fatness but important bias was found between more extreme types of cattle.


1993 ◽  
Vol 73 (4) ◽  
pp. 839-845 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. N. Aziz ◽  
W. A. Rae ◽  
R. O. Ball

Data from 204 sows were used to predict percentage carcass lean yield and lean weight. Backfat thickness (probe fat) and muscle depth (probe lean) were measured with an electronic probe. Fat thickness was also measured by ruler at the midline at maximum fat depth over the lumbar vertebrae (maximum fat), fat depth at the last rib (last-rib fat), and fat depth between the 3rd- and 4th-last ribs (fat depth 3–4). Fat depth over maximum loin-muscle depth (loin fat 1), maximum fat depth over loin muscle (loin fat 2), maximum loin depth (loin lean 1) and maximum loin width (loin lean 2) were measured on loin cross section. On the warm carcass, the prediction accuracy of percentage lean yield was highest for probe fat (R2 = 0.77), whereas probe lean had the lowest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.01). Among the ruler measurements, maximum fat was associated with the most accurate prediction of percentage lean yield (R2 = 0.71). Among cross-section measurements, loin fat 2 was the most accurate predictor of percentage lean yield (R2 = 0.78). For predicting lean weight in the carcass, carcass weight gave the highest coefficient of determination (R2 = 0.82) of any single measurement, but addition of probe fat to the equation improved R2 by 11% and reduced the RSD from 3.16 to 2.00. A single measurement by probe (probe fat) or ruler (maximum fat) was concluded to be sufficient to accurately predict percentage lean yield in sow carcasses. Key words: Lean yield, sows, prediction, carcass composition, grading


Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2195
Author(s):  
Ester Arévalo Sureda ◽  
Xuemei Zhao ◽  
Valeria Artuso-Ponte ◽  
Sophie-Charlotte Wall ◽  
Bing Li ◽  
...  

Isoquinoline alkaloids (IQ) exert beneficial antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects in livestock. Therefore, we hypothesized that supplementing sows’ diets with IQ during gestation would decrease farrowing stress, affecting the piglets’ development and performance. Sows were divided into: IQ1, supplemented with IQ from gestation day 80 (G80) to weaning; IQ2, supplemented from gestation day 110 (G110) to weaning, and a non-supplemented (NC) group. Sow body weight (BW), feed intake, back-fat thickness and back-muscle thickness were monitored. Cortisol, glucose and insulin were measured in sows’ blood collected 5 d before, during, and after 7 d farrowing. Protein, fat, IgA and IgG were analyzed in the colostrum and milk. Piglets were monitored for weight and diarrhea score, and for ileum histology and gene expression 5 d post-weaning. IQ-supplemented sows lost less BW during lactation. Glucose and insulin levels were lower in the IQ groups compared to NC-sows 5 d before farrowing and had higher levels of protein and IgG in their colostrum. No other differences were observed in sows, nor in the measured parameters in piglets. In conclusion, IQ supplementation affected sows’ metabolism, reducing body weight loss during lactation. Providing IQ to sows from their entrance into the maternity barn might be sufficient to induce these effects. IQ improved colostrum quality, increasing the protein and IgG content, improving passive immunity for piglets.


2000 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Hammell ◽  
J. P. Laforest

Data for a total of approximately 1100 lambs tested in 12 trials from 1992 to 1995 in commercial lamb test stations in Quebec were used to determine the effect of sex, sire breed and genetic type on growth performance and carcass characteristics. Lambs were housed two to a pen and fed commercial diets. Maximum test length was 112 d. Lambs were slaughtered when their liveweight was approximately 47 ± 5 kg for the males and 43 ± 4 kg for the females. Feed intake and growth rate were measured during the test, and carcass measurements were taken at slaughter and at 24 h following slaughter. Feed intake was the average for the pen, while the growth and carcass measurements were taken individually. Males ate more per day, had better gain and were younger at slaughter than females. Females had more body fat and better carcass conformation scores than males. However, males did not have a greater loin muscle thickness compared to females. Lambs sired by Hampshire or Suffolk rams had superior growth performance and leaner carcasses than lambs sired by Dorset rams. However, Hampshire and Suffolk-sired lambs did not have a greater loin muscle thickness compared to Dorset-sired lambs. Analysis of different genetic types did not demonstrate a pronounced effect on lamb performance. No specific genetic composition was clearly superior to the others for the various variables studied. Genetic quality within a breed of sheep bought or kept for reproduction is as important as the choice of breed or the combination of breeds. Key words: Lamb, growth performance, carcass composition


Soil Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 568
Author(s):  
J. A. Howes ◽  
J. A. Hanly ◽  
D. J. Horne ◽  
M. J. Hedley ◽  
M. Irwin

Treading damage inflicted by grazing animals degrades soil physical quality, increases sediment and nutrient loss to water, and reduces pasture yield. The extent or severity of treading damage can be assessed using several methods such as roller chain, depth of pug, and visual scoring. However, the ability of these methods to assess treading damage, and their relative merits, have not previously been compared. Four methods of measuring treading damage are compared in this study including the three methods mentioned and a new tool called the pugometer, which was developed to measure treading damage in a spatially explicit manner. These comparisons were conducted on three paddocks at Massey University’s Dairy 4 farm near Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand which had sustained treading damage of varying levels during grazing in wet conditions. All four methods were able to identify varying degrees of treading damage competently with strong correlations between them (R2 = 0.72–0.87). Therefore, the selection of the most appropriate method to assess treading damage will depend on the circumstances. Visual scoring was the quickest and simplest method to use over a large area, and so could be employed easily by a farmer. The pugometer provides a quantitative measure of the spatial variability of treading damage and so would be a useful research tool. The depth of pug and roller chain methods are reliable but much more time consuming and therefore are only practicable as research tools for small plot studies. Following a treading event, the pugometer was able to monitor the recovery of surface roughness in a spatially explicit and rapid manner. Additional keywords: depth of pug, quantifying pugging, roller chain, visual assessment.


2013 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janusz Czapski ◽  
Marian Saniewski

Tomato ripening in normal red-fruited cultivar (Fiorin) was delayed by treatment with methyl jasmonate (JA-Me) vapour. A visual scoring system for describing tomato ripening was used. Surface of fruits exposed to JA-Me vapour, increased in yellow and decreased in red as determined by HunterLab colour meter. JA-Me significantly altered the firmness of fruits after 21 days storage. Vapour of JA-Me enhanced the level of β-carotene in outer part (peel with 3 mm pericarp tissue) of fruit, while it had no effect in peeled fruit pericarp. JA-Me treatment decreased the level of lycopene in outer part and pericarp tissue, however, in outer part lycopene content decreased at a higher rate than in pericarp. Amount of tomatine in fruits treated with JA-Me had enhanced four-fold in outer part and by 62% in peeled fruit pericarp as compared with the control.


1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 427-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. L. Cook ◽  
J. P. Chadwick ◽  
A. J. Kempster

ABSTRACTTo gain approval for use in the revised European Community (EC) Pig Grading Scheme to be introduced in 1989, methods of estimating carcass lean proportion must be shown to do so with a coefficient of determination greater than 0·64 and a residual s.d. of less than 25 g/kg. A trial was carried out to assess a number of methods for use in the EC Scheme as applied in Great Britain. Subcutaneous fat and m. longissimus depths at the head of the last rib and at the third/fourth from last rib were measured using the optical probe (OP), the Fat-O-Meater (FOM), the Hennessy Grading Probe II (HGP) and the Destron PG-100 Probe (DST) on a broad sample of 162 commercial carcasses representative of the ranges in fatness and weight found nationally. The left side of each carcass was separated into component tissues. Although the instruments all achieved similar levels of accuracy in predicting carcass lean proportion, some differences were found. The DST just failed to reach the required statistical criteria for approval in the EC Scheme. The results for the other three instruments were submitted to Brussels as evidence of suitability and they have been approved.Using the regression relationships found between carcass composition and fat thickness together with results from earlier studies, it was estimated that the carcass separable fat proportion of British slaughter pigs has fallen at the annual rate of 7 g/kg since 1975.


2007 ◽  
Vol 2007 ◽  
pp. 108-108
Author(s):  
E. Rius-Vilarrasa ◽  
L. Bunger ◽  
K. Matthews ◽  
C. Maltin ◽  
A Hinz ◽  
...  

Accurate estimates of carcass composition and eating quality are critical to the introduction and the success of a value-based marketing system (VBMS) and to help address increased consumer demands for leaner meat with higher quality. Currently in the UK, carcass composition is assessed by a subjective carcass classification system based on the EUROP conformation system, and a visual assessment of fat cover using a numeric fat score (“MLC Scoring”) (Anderson, 2003). Objective, image analysis based systems to classify carcasses into current classification categories have been studied (Allen and Finnery, 2000) and are in use in the beef industry in the EU. However, the introduction of automatic technologies such as VIA may also have considerable potential for prediction of lean meat yield of the carcass. There is growing interest in the possibility of developing payment criteria which are based on carcass meat yield. Therefore, the present research project investigated the potential of VIA technology to predict meat yield in terms of saleable meat yield (SMY), saleable primal meat yield (SPMY) and the carcass components leg, chump, loin and shoulder in lamb.


Author(s):  
B G Lowman ◽  
D R Neilson ◽  
N A Scott ◽  
E A Hunter

A previous investigation, reported at the Winter Meeting 1985, showed significant effects of growth promoters on carcass composition and on the eating quality of sirloin steaks. The growth promoters investigated factorially were (a) hormonal implants (heifers, Zeranol; steers, Zeranol + Trembolone acetate), (b) feed additive (Avotan) and (c) fishmeal. The experiment was repeated during the winter of 1984/85, with the eating quality investigation expanded to cover some 192 households, using sirloin steaks from all 64 cattle involved in the investigation. In addition, the rate of carcass cooling in the left-hand side of each animal was measured using electronic probe thermometers placed in the longissimus dorsi immediately after slaughter. This data was used to test the hypothesis that rate of carcass cooling was negatively related to the fat content of the carcass and with overall eating quality due to the effects of cold shortening.


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