Techniques for Predicting Beef Carcass Composition

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Abstract
Sixteen forage-fed and 16 grain-fed steers of Hereford × Brahman breeding were slaughtered initially (n=8) or after they had gained 68 (n=6), 136 (n=6), 205 (n=6) or 273 (n=6) kg live weight. Carcass composition was predicted for each live animal using D2O dilution and for each carcass using USDA yield grade, specific gravity of one side, physical-chemical composition of 9-10-11th rib sections from both sides, and chemical composition of all soft tissue from one side. These predictions were then compared with data for physical separation (lean, fat, bone) of one side of each carcass. Physical-chemical composition of the 9-10-11th rib section was most useful for explaining observed variability in carcass composition as measured by percentages of separable lean [coefficient of determination (CD)=85.2)], fat (CD=92.0) and bone (CD=69.9). For predicting percentages of carcass separable fat, chemical composition of soft tissue from the side (CD= 87.8), specific gravity of the side (CD=79.5) and USDA yield grade (CD=74.1) were useful, while D2O dilution (CD=3.7) was not. The USDA yield grade, specific gravity of the side and chemical composition of soft tissue from the side explained 72.9, 62.9 and 67.1%, respectively, of the observed variability in percentage of separable lean in the side. The composition of the 9-10-11th rib section was the most appropriate technique identified in this study to estimate carcass composition.

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