An Evaluation of Pelvic Bone Shape in Beef Carcasses

Authors

Justine J. Hosch, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Kim Varnold, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Lasika S. Senaratne Senaratne, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Jerilyn Hergenreder, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Chris R. Calkins, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow

Date of this Version

2013

Citation

Published in 2013 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report.

Comments

Copyright © 2013 The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Abstract

Pelvic bones from the right side of twenty five beef carcasses were collected and analyzed to characterize the variation in bone shape. Two heifer and two steer carcasses were selected from five 100-pound weight ranges, starting at 600 lb. Aitch and hip bone pelvic pieces were weighed and 12 linear measurements collected. Weight of the hip bone, aitch bone, and total pelvic bone increasedwith increasing carcass weight. Aitch bone and pelvic lengths were longerfor steers than heifers. Location of the cut separating beef sides had a major impact on shape of the exposed aitch bone. Inconsistencies in carcass splitting make it difficult to use differences in aitch bone shape as anatomical landmarks for altered carcass fabrication.