The profile area of beef carcasses and its relationship to carcass composition

Abstract

SUMMARYThe relationship was examined between the composition of carcasses from 30 castrated Hereford male cattle and their profile areas obtained from photographic negatives. The accuracy of this method n i determining fatness was compared with that of other methods including visual assessment.Photographs were taken of a dorsal view of the intact carcass and lateral and medial views of the left side after splitting the carcass. A planimeter was used to measure the areas which were obtained from photographic negatives. Carcass lengths were recorded from the medial views. A panel of six judges assessed the sides for fatness on a seven-point scale with the aid of photographic standards.Areas and carcass lengths, adjusted to dimensional parity, were used as independent variables in multiple regression analyses, with the weights of the dissected tissues as dependent variables. Explanation of variation in muscle weight was poor, but dorsal area and length were (very nearly) as good as visual score and side weight in predicting total fat weight.