A Photographic Grid Used to Measure Rib Eye Areas

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Abstract
A photographic grid technique to be used to measure carcass cuts, especially area of rib eye in beef, is presented. A close-up attachment built according to specifications given in Kodak pamphlet No. B-10 and a newly devised grid attachment for measurement purposes are described. It is recommended that colored film be used; a method is presented to determine rib eye area from the finished projected 2×2 colored slides. The retention of color and the distinctness of the color photographs make it easy to distinguish between lean, fat and bone areas. Quality factors are retained, making possible direct comparisons of individuals between years and between sires. Preliminary data indicate that proportion of lean as determined by photographic grid measurement may have a direct relationship with body composition as determined by specific gravity. The ease and speed with which the tool can be used has proven to be particularly advantageous while collecting data at custom slaughtering houses. The versatility of the photograpic grid lends itself to the measurement and evaluation of carcass cuts, including wholesale cuts, of all domestic species of farm animals. Copyright © . .