Body Measurements in Relation to Beef type and to Certain Carcass Characteristics

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Abstract
Ten linear body measurements were taken in duplicate on eight Hereford steers by two investigators. The components of variance due to steers, investigators, steer and investigator interaction and measurement error were estimated and compared. Results of this study indicated that heart girth, circumference at navel, length of body, width of chest, depth of chest and height at hooks and withers had the highest steer components and the lowest investigator, interaction and error components. After this study, additional cattle were measured. Significant differences in circumference at navel, height at hooks, height at withers and body length were found between calves sired by bulls from different lines of breeding when compared on a constant weight basis. Ratios of weight to height and weight to length were calculated and correlated with dressing percentage, area of rib eye and edible portion. In both steer and heifer data, the two ratios were positively correlated with area of rib eye and negatively correlated with edible portion. These ratios were positively correlated with dressing percentage in steers but not in heifers. Percent edible portion is highly influenced by the amount of fat trim in the carcass. Therefore, a ratio of edible portion to bone was calculated and correlated with the weight to height and weight to length ratios. The edible portion to bone ratio is also influenced by the degree of fatness of the carcass. A formula for correcting the edible portion to bone ratio to a constant fat trim percentage is presented. Copyright © . .

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