Predicting carcass composition of beef cattle using ultrasound technology

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Meat Science
• Agricultural Technology

Background:

• Accurate prediction of carcass composition is crucial for the beef industry.
• Ultrasound technology offers a non-invasive method for evaluating live animals and carcasses.
• Understanding the relationship between pre-slaughter and post-slaughter measurements is key to improving carcass yield predictions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of pre-slaughter ultrasound measurements in predicting fat thickness and ribeye area.
• To assess the utility of these measurements for predicting carcass composition at different fat trim levels.
• To compare the predictive accuracy of on-farm ultrasound data versus post-slaughter carcass measurements.

Main Methods:

• Twenty slaughtered cattle were evaluated using ultrasound before hide removal.
• Carcasses were fabricated into subprimals at progressive fat trim levels (2.54, 1.27, and 0.64 cm).
• Stepwise regression analysis was employed to model subprimal percentage using various on-farm and in-cooler measurements.

Main Results:

• Percentage of kidney, pelvic, and heart (KPH) fat was the primary predictor across all trim levels.
• On-farm ultrasound fat thickness improved prediction models at the 2.54 cm trim level but showed limitations at lower trim levels.
• In-cooler measurements, particularly actual fat thickness and marbling score, significantly enhanced predictive accuracy compared to on-farm ultrasound data.

Conclusions:

• Pre-slaughter ultrasound shows potential but has limited application for predicting carcass composition compared to chilled carcass assessment.
• Chilled carcass measurements provide more accurate predictions of boneless subprimal yields, especially at leaner trim levels.
• Integrating multiple chilled carcass parameters significantly improves the prediction of carcass composition.