Abstract
The effect of time-sequence and subcutaneous fat thickness on the accuracy of ultrasonically estimating l. dorsi muscle area and fat thickness in cattle was studied. These studies suggest that, as the operator gained experience, he became more accurate in estimating both muscle size and fat thickness. It was also found to be more difficult to accurately estimate fat thickness and l. dorsi muscle area in similar animals than in those possessing considerable variation in body tissue characteristics. Subcutaneous fat thickness per se appeared to have no effect on the accuracy with which ultrasonics can be used to estimate the area of the l. dorsi muscle but it may have affected the accuracy in predicting fat thickness. Highly significant (P<.01) over-all correlation coefficients of 0.90 and 0.56 were found between the estimated and actual values for subcutaneous fat thickness and l. dorsi muscle area, respectively. Copyright © 1967. American Society of Animal Science . Copyright 1967 by American Society of Animal Science