Browsing by Subject "Beef cattle -- Carcasses -- Composition"
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Item Carcass composition, cholesterol content and palatability traits of Chianina and British crossbred beef(Texas Tech University, 1986-05) Wheeler, Tommy LNot availableItem Effect of ractopamine hydrochloride on beef carcass composition and estimates of intermuscular fat(Texas Tech University, 1990-05) Kent, Kary RigdonA total of 160 predominantly Angus, medium-framed steers (389 kg) were fed a finishing diet for 42 to 49 d. Steers (452 kg) then were estimated to be 4 6 d from slaughter condition, allotted to five blocks [weight and fat thickness (FTK) at 12th rib] and ractopamine hydrochloride (RH) was introduced into their diet (0, 10, 20 or 30 ppm). Carcasses were evaluated 24 h postmortem by three experienced evaluators for USDA yield grade (YG) and quality grade factors, nine subcutaneous (SC) fat indicators and four intermuscular (IM) fat indicators. Right sides (n = 40) varying in composition (YG 1.1 to 3.8) then were randomly selected (2 per block per treatment) for evaluation/determination of 10 carcass traits, four chemical traits (fat, moisture, protein and ash), two measures of cutability, and total IM fat from the round, loin, rib and chuck. Marbling score, adjusted FTK, ribeye area (REA) and USDA grade (yield and quality) were not influenced by RH treatment. Percentage IM fat, SC fat, boneless defatted primal cuts (round, loin, rib and chuck) were not influenced by RH treatment. No differences were found across RH treatments among four chemical traits (fat, moisture, protein and ash). Increased feeding levels of RH may be required to realize improvement in beef carcass composition. Simultaneous consideration of adjusted FTK, REA, kidney, pelvic and heart fat percent (KPH) and hot carcass weight (HCW) accounted for 60.4% of the observed variation in percentage of chemical carcass fat, whereas, an equation containing an IM fat estimate (IM fat estimate at the 12th rib, REA, KPH and HCW accounted for 59.4% of the observed variation. Simultaneous consideration of adjusted FTK, REA, KPH and HCW accounted for 58.9% of the observed variation in cutability (boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts from the round, loin, rib and chuck containing 6 mm SC fat and zero IM fat), while an equation containing an IM fat estimate (IM fat estimate at 12th rib, REA, KPH and HCW) accounted for 64% of the observed variation. These data suggest SC fat can be removed via hot fat trimming and cutability can be reliably predicted using an IM fat estimate at the 12th rib instead of adjusted FTK.Item The use of real-time, linear array ultrasound techniques to predict final carcass composition in beef cattle(Texas Tech University, 1992-05) Perkins, Thomas LeeRecent technological advances have increased the interest in using ultrasonic imaging technology for estimation of carcass composition in the livestock industry. The objectives of this research were: (1) to determine the accuracy of 12th rib ultrasonic measures of subcutaneous fat thickness, longissimus muscle area and intermuscular fat as indicators of carcass composition in beef cattle; (2) to determine the effect of technician on the capture and interpretation of 12th rib ultrasonic images of external fat thickness, longissimus muscle area and intermuscular fat as indicators of carcass composition in beef cattle; and (3) to develop alternative sites of ultrasonic measure which serve as indicators of yield and quality differences in beef cattle. Crossbred feedlot cattle (n = 646) were ultrasonically measured with an Aloka 210Dx, split screen ultrasound unit at the 12th rib interface to evaluate the accuracy of ultrasonic measurements of fat thickness and longissimus muscle area for prediction of actual carcass measures. Average actual differences between ultrasonic and carcass measures of fat thickness and longissimus muscle area indicated that underprediction occurred more often than overprediction for both measures. Correlation coefficients between ultrasonic and carcass measures were .75 (P < .01) for fat thickness and .60 (P < .01) for longissimus muscle. Feedlot steers (n = 36) representing four breedtypes (Brown Swiss, Average Mexican, Rough Mexican and typical British crossbred) were isonified to estimate accuracy and repeatability of fat thickness and longissimus muscle area. Repeated measures of fat thickness and longissimus muscle area were taken by two technicians on 2 consecutive days with an Aloka 500V non-split screen ultrasound unit equipped with a new prototype transducer. Pooled simple correlation coefficients (P < .01) were .87 and .86 for fat thickness and .76 and .82 for longissimus muscle area for technician 1 and 2, respectively. Repeatabilities estimated by intraclass correlation methods were .91 and .81 for images repeated over days and .95 and .83 for images repeated over technicians for fat thickness and longissimus muscle area, respectively. Repeatability estimates of longissimus muscle area interpretation from videotape were .86 within technician -and .76 between technicians. Ultrasonic measurements of 12th rib intermuscular fatness and body wall thickness were not satisfactory predictors of yield and quality grade. Hereford feedlot steers (n = 276) were isonified to evaluate the ability of ultrasonic ellipse measurements of the longissimus muscle area at the 12th rib and fat depth on the rump to predict yield and quality grade. Ultrasonic rump fat was a moderate estimator and ellipse a low estimator of yield grade. However, neither measure was an adequate predictor of quality grade. This research indicates that ultrasonic measures of fat thickness and longissimus muscle area are accurate predictors of carcass composition but further refinement of alternative sites are needed for optimum estimation of yield and quality grade factors in beef cattle.