Electromagnetic scanning to predict lamb carcass composition

The electromagnetic scanner generates a constant, low-level electromagnetic field (2.5 MHz) within a large plexiglass tube. The amount of electromagnetic (EM) energy transferred (to the carcass) is highly related to lean tissue. A plot of the absorption units over distance can be used to assess the total mass of lean tissue and of the respective primal cuts. The difference in curve height between two points (D), peak phase absorption, and linear carcass measurements (pre-rigor, HCWT or post-rigor, CWT carcass weight, and carcass length, LENG) were used to predict total dissected lean (TOTLEAN), dissected leg lean (LEGLEAN), and percentage of dissected carcass lean (PERLEAN). Twenty-one pre-rigor and 22 post-rigor (24 h chill) lamb carcasses, average weight 26.8 (+/- 4.2 kg) and 26.4 (+/- 4.1 kg) kg, respectively, were evaluated from measurements of total body electrical conductivity (TOBEC). Two geometric orientations were tested for statistical accuracy in this study: A) each carcass entered the EM tunnel rear leg first, on its left lateral side, neck facing the right side of the tunnel; and B) each carcass entered the EM tunnel rear leg first, breast down, and neck up. Orientation A proved more statistically efficient for pre-rigor carcasses, and orientation B was more desirable for post-rigor carcasses. Multiple-regression models involving HCWT, LENG, and a single D measure accounted for 98.0 and 95.0%, respectively, of the total variation in pre-rigor carcass TOTLEAN and LEGLEAN in A.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)