Influence of Sample Orientation on Prediction of Fresh Ham Lean Content by Electromagnetic Scanning

Authors

N. L. Meseck, Clarion, IA
B. L. Gwartney, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Chris R. Calkins, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Phillip Miller, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

1997

Comments

Published in Journal of Animal Science 1997. 75:3169–3173. Copyright © 1997 American Society of Animal Science. Used by permission.

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of orientation of hams during electromagnetic scanning on the estimation of dissected lean content, hams were scanned horizontally, posterior first (POS) or dorsal first (DOR), and vertically, medial side (aitchbone) first (MED; standing on the butt face). Weight and percentage of dissected lean were estimated using scan peak for each orientation, ham weight, and fat thickness. The mean scan peak for the MED orientation was approximately twice as great as peaks for the POS and DOR orientations, which suggests that this orientation may offer greater predictive accuracy by reducing the signal to noise ratio. Results, however, indicated that all orientations were equally effective at predicting lean weight and percentage, with R₂ values of .95 and .75 and root mean square errors of .21 kg and 2.6%, respectively.