Relationships of Chute-Side Measurements to Carcass Measurements

Authors

James C. MacDonald, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Terry J. Klopfenstein, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Galen E. Erickson, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Casey Macken, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Jeffrey Folmer, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Date of this Version

1-1-2003

Comments

Published in 2003 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report. Copyright © 2002 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

Abstract

Three data sets were compiled to determine the relationship of weight, performance, hip height and ultrasound-measured fat thickness to hot carcass weight and fat thickness. Weight is generally the best predictor of relative differences in carcass weight at any time in the production system. Hip heights do not predict relative differences in carcass weight. Although the combination of hip height and weight is a more precise indicator of carcass weight than is hip height alone, generally this combination is inferior to weight alone. Only ultrasound-measured fat thickness predicted relative differences in fat thickness. Prediction of relative differences in carcass weight from body weight and fat thickness from ultrasound scans improved as marketing date approached.