Progress towards using the speed of ultrasound for beef leanness classification

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Meat Science
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• A high correlation exists between the reciprocal of ultrasound speed and lean proportion in beef carcasses.
• This observation led to the development of commercial (VOSI) and smaller (Mini G) ultrasound equipment for carcass analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance of VOSI and Mini G equipment in predicting lean proportion in beef carcasses.
• To assess the predictive value of ultrasound measurements, fat scores, and conformation scores for lean percentage.

Main Methods:

• Ultrasound speed was measured at six sites on beef carcasses within 1 hour of stunning using VOSI and Mini G.
• Carcass sides were scored for fatness and conformation (EAAP system) and subcutaneous fat depth was measured.
• Detailed dissection determined the proportion of muscle, fat, and bone in each carcass side.

Main Results:

• The average reciprocal speed over three VOSI sites (RV346) was the best single predictor of lean proportion.
• Conformation score improved the precision of fat score and fat depth predictions in a smaller group of carcasses.
• In a larger, more variable group, conformation score significantly improved RV346 predictions, but the best prediction model (RV346 and tissue thicknesses) had a residual standard deviation of 1.35%.

Conclusions:

• Ultrasound technology, particularly the VOSI system, offers a reliable method for predicting lean meat yield in beef carcasses.
• While conformation scores can enhance prediction accuracy in certain scenarios, ultrasound-based measurements remain highly effective predictors of carcass lean percentage.