Carcass Grade Research Articles

300 Primeone Sire Comparison on Jersey Dairy Cows

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to compare carcass grading outcomes of progeny from a sire derived via carcass cloning to progeny from a competitive traditional purebred Angus sire. Semen was artificially inseminated into Jersey cows from an F1 sire (AxG1) derived from Prime-yield grade 1 carcass clones and a high-performance purebred Angus sire (Foundation). Calves were born at the dairy, raised in hutches on the dairy, and grown in a separate facility, all in the Texas panhandle. Cattle were later transported to Nebraska for finishing. Both steers and heifers were harvested at a commercial beef processor in Colorado and camera data were collected to assess carcass quality and yield outcomes. Data were analyzed using mixed models; treatment comparisons were tested for significance with α = 0.05. Results In live growth, calves sired by Foundation were heavier (P < 0.01) both when they entered (396.1 vs 383.0 kg) and exited (590.1 vs 568.8 kg) the feedyard. Similarly, calves sired by Foundation had heavier (P < 0.01) hot carcass weights than AxG1 (374.9 vs 361.4 kg). No difference (P ≥ 0.27) was detected between sires for longissimus muscle area (96.6 vs 95.7 cm2) or marbling score (Moderate26 vs Moderate20). AxG1 sired calves had greater (P < 0.01) muscle area per unit of carcass weight (26.7 vs 25.9 cm2/100kg). Calves sired by AxG1 were leaner (P < 0.01) than those sired by Foundation as evidenced by less 12th rib s.c. fat (1.11 vs 1.26 cm) coupled with decreased calculated yield grades (2.34 vs 2.59). Moreover, calculated Empty Body Fat was greater (P < 0.01) for Foundation sired carcasses than those sired by AxG1 (30.0 vs 28.9 %). Foundation sired calves were represented by a greater (P < 0.05) percentage of USDA Prime carcasses (26.32 vs 17.79 %) whereas AxG1 sired calves had a greater (P < 0.05) percentage of USDA Choice carcasses (77.74 vs 69.48 %). AxG1 sired calves were represented by a greater (P = 0.04) percentage of Yield Grade 1 carcasses (27.48 vs 19.25 %). No difference in frequency of Yield Grade 2 (55.40 vs 58.00 %) or 4 (1.41 vs 1.0 %) carcasses was observed between sires. Frequency of Yield Grade 3 carcasses was greater (P < 0.01) for Foundation compared with AxG1 (23.94 vs 13.58 %). Carcass outcomes suggest that progeny sired by Foundation were of slightly higher quality whereas progeny sired by AxG1 were of slightly higher yield.

PSV-6 Evaluation of Narasin Feeding Duration on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Growing-Finishing Pigs

Abstract Previous studies evaluating 15 mg/kg narasin have shown improvements in BW, ADG, G:F, and HCW and carcass yield when fed for an extended period of time ( >60 days). However, a detailed evaluation of feeding duration of narasin has not been completed. This study evaluated the effect of narasin feeding duration on growth performance and carcass characteristics of growing-finishing pigs. The study was carried out over a fixed time of 112 days using 1,644 pigs in a randomized complete block design. Narasin was included at 15 mg/kg in the last two, three, or four growing-finishing dietary phases, which resulted in narasin being fed for the last 68, 94, or 112 days of study and compared with a negative control diet. Pigs were fed diets that met or exceeded nutrient recommendations of growing-finishing pigs (NRC, 2012). Pigs were offered ad libitum access to feed and water throughout the study and weighed every 28 days and at every marketing event. Feed additions and feed remaining in the feeder at the time of pig weighing were recorded. Pigs were sent for harvest to a commercial slaughter facility in three marketing groups: Group 1 – 20% of pigs marketed on day 84 of study, Group 2 – 20% of pigs marketed on day 98 of study, and Group 3 – remaining 60% of pigs marketed on day 112 of study. Standard carcass grading measurements were collected for each pig and summarized by pen for data analysis. There were limited statistical differences (P > 0.05) between treatments for growth or carcass measures, likely due to the limited number of replicates (n = 16) in this research facility. Nonetheless, there were numerical improvements from feeding narasin. Final live BW (+0.3, +0.4, +1.5 kg, respectively) and ADG (+0.1, +0.4, and +1.3%, respectively; Table 1) numerically increased with increased feeding duration of narasin. Overall G:F was relatively unaffected by feeding duration. Hot carcass weight increased with increased narasin feeding duration (+0.2, +1.1, +1.9 kg, respectively), resulting in increased carcass yield with increased feeding duration (-0.2, +0.1, +0.4 percentage units, respectively). Collectively, carcass ADG and carcass G:F trended toward improvement with increased feeding duration. Results of this study confirm previously observed improvements in growth performance from extended feeding of narasin compared with controls, suggesting that a greater response to narasin is observed with longer feeding durations.

71 Effects of Late Gestational Nutrient Restriction on Calf pre-Weaning Growth, Backgrounding and Feedlot Performance, and Carcass Composition

Abstract Fall-calving Hereford-SimAngus heifers [single-sired; BW: 451 ± 28 (SD) kg; BCS: 5.4 ± 0.7] bred to a single sire were individually fed 100% (control; CON; n = 12) or 70% (nutrient restricted; NR; n = 13) of NASEM metabolizable energy and metabolizable protein requirements for maintenance, pregnancy, and growth from day 160 of gestation to calving. Post-calving, all females were fed chopped tall-fescue hay supplemented to meet lactational nutrient requirements in Calan gates to constrain diets of calves to milk only until day 147, then pen-fed in drylots until weaning at day 242 ± 3 (SD). Post-weaning, calves were fed a tall fescue hay-based backgrounding diet in the same large drylots for 53 ± 12 d, then moved to partially covered pens with GrowSafe feeding systems in 2 groups and fed a corn-based feedlot diet (formulated to be 18.3% CP, 1.21 Mcal NEg/kg, DM basis; 89% DM) for 255 ± 3 d (similar days on feed rather than carcass endpoint). Cattle were harvested in a commercial plant, and camera carcass grading was performed. Data were analyzed with maternal treatment, calving date, and calf sex (when P < 0.25) as fixed effects; feedlot group was included for feedlot and carcass measures. We previously reported that birth weight was not affected (P = 0.72), but NR decreased (P < 0.04) milk production by 15%. Calves born to NR dams had reduced ADG from birth to day 147 (P = 0.02), day 147 to weaning (P = 0.08), and birth to weaning (P = 0.003), resulting in NR calves having 13% lighter (P = 0.004) weaning weight. Backgrounding ADG was not affected (P = 0.80) by maternal treatment; thus, feedlot entry BW was 11% less (P = 0.009) in NR calves. On day 28, 56, 84, and 112 on feed, NR calves weighed less (P ≤ 0.09) than control. Final BW was not affected (P = 0.91) by maternal treatment. Feedlot ADG was greater for NR calves from day 168 to slaughter (P = 0.02) and the overall feeding period (P = 0.03), but not before day 168 on feed (P ≥ 0.22). Calves born to NR dams had less (P = 0.02) dressing percentage, but improved (P = 0.02) yield grade and backfat thickness. Hot carcass weight, ribeye area, marbling score, and KPH were not affected (P ≥ 0.26) by maternal treatment. Percent prime, yield grade ≤ 2, and yield grade ≥ 4 were not affected (P ≥ 0.29) by maternal treatment. Overall, late gestational nutrient restriction decreased growth pre-weaning but increased late finishing growth, without affecting backgrounding or early feedlot growth. These cattle had leaner carcasses after similar days on feed, suggesting that late gestational nutrient restriction altered growth patterns or body composition.

Contribution analysis of carcass traits on auction price for Hanwoo steers in the Yeongnam region of Korea

In this study, Data were the carcass grade on each 53,829 head of hanwoo steers slaughtered 3 years before (2017, 2018, 2019), 32,910 head of hanwoo steers slaughtered after (2020, 2021, 2022) COVID-19 at Yeongnam region and 54,369 head of hanwoo steers slaughtered same period at except for Yeongnam region. To find out the contribution of carcass traits to auction price and total price were analyzed through regression coefficients by using multiple regression analysis. As environmental factors affecting these carcass traits, slaughter year and slaughter season were set and analyzed through the least square method. The results of slaughter year showed that the grade of carcass traits in Yeongnam region increased over the years. In addition, in the slaughter season, the grade of carcass traits in the fall was found to be excellent. According to the contribution analysis, the results of the contribution ratio to auction price of before and after COVID-19 in Yeongnam region and after COVID-19 in all regions except Yeongnam were the same in order of marbling score, backfat thickness, eye muscle area, carcass weight. Also, the contribution ratio to total price were the same in order of carcass weight, marbling score, backfat thickness, eye muscle area. The general carcass grade is intended to use and analyze data from Yeongnam region, which has excellent backfat thickness and carcass weight, also has the largest number of elite cows selected through the verification work of elite cow by Korea Animal Improvement Association, and use it as a means for strategies to increase farm’s income and advance to high quality about Korean beef.

Effects of probiotic bacteria-fermented herbal combinations on growth performance, immunity, and meat quality of grower-finisher pigs

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with 2 fermented herb combinations on growth performance, immunity, meat composition and, oxidative stability of grower-finisher pigs. The herb combinations were: (1) fermented pomegranate peel extract, Gingko biloba leaf and licorice root (FPGBL) and (2) fermented pomegranate peel extract, green tea and licorice root (FPGTL). A 2-step fermentation of the herb combinations was carried out with Lactobacillus plantarum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A total of 90 male pigs (initial body weight = 39.32 ± 1.20 kg) were randomly assigned to 3 treatments (control, 0.4% FPGBL, or 0.4% FPGTL) with 5 replicates per treatment and 6 pigs per pen for 10 weeks. In order to perform carcass grading and meat analyses, 10 pigs per treatments (2/replication) that are close to pen average weight were selected and slaughtered. Treatment means were compared by orthogonal contrasts (Control vs. FPGBL + FPGTL or FPGBL vs. FPGTL). Supplemental FPGBL or FPGTL resulted in reduced feed intake (P < 0.001) and increased gain to feed (P = 0.028) without affecting the weight gain of pigs. Dietary FPGTL increased serum IgG, IgM, and IgA concentrations (P < 0.05). The backfat thickness was reduced (P = 0.024), whereas the carcass grade and lean production were greater (P < 0.05) in response to FPGBL and FPGTL supplementation. Supplemental FPGBL and FPGTL increased the moisture, while reduced the ether extract in longissimus muscle of pig (P < 0.05). Contrary, lower cholesterol was found only in the longissimus muscle of FPGTL supplemented pigs (P = 0.008). Dietary supplementations reduced the saturated fatty acid (SFA) (P = 0.019), while increased the monounsaturated fatty acid and n-3 poly unsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) contents in longissimus muscle (P < 0.001). Conversely, the total PUFA, n-6 PUFA, PUFA/SFA, and n-6/n-3 PUFA was lower in the longissimus muscle as a result of both supplementation (P < 0.05). The TBARS and pH value was lower only in the FPGBL supplemented pig meat than the control fed pig for the entire period (P < 0.05). During the third week, both the supplemented treatment reduced the concentrations of aerobic plate count and lactic acid bacteria in meat (P < 0.05). In conclusion, these results indicate the feasibility of using FPGBL and FPGTL as feed additives for grower-finisher pigs to improve meat nutritive quality and oxidative stability without any negative effects on weight gain.

Comparison on genomic prediction using pedigree BLUP and single step GBLUP through the Hanwoo full-sib family.

When evaluating individuals with the same parent and no phenotype by pedigree best linear unbiased prediction (BLUP), it is difficult to explain carcass grade difference and select individuals because they have the same value in pedigree BLUP (PBLUP). However, single step GBLUP (ssGBLUP), which can estimate the breeding value suitable for the individual by adding genotype, is more accurate than the existing method. The breeding value and accuracy were estimated with pedigree BLUP and ssGBLUP using pedigree and genotype of 408 Hanwoo cattle from 16 families with the same parent among siblings produced by fertilized egg transplantation. A total of 14,225 Hanwoo cattle with pedigree, genotype and phenotype were used as the reference population. PBLUP obtained estimated breeding value (EBV) using the pedigree of the test and reference populations, and ssGBLUP obtained genomic EBV (GEBV) after constructing and H-matrix by integrating the pedigree and genotype of the test and reference populations. For all traits, the accuracy of GEBV using ssGBLUP is 0.18 to 0.20 higher than the accuracy of EBV obtained with PBLUP. Comparison of EBV and GEBV of individuals without phenotype, since the value of EBV is estimated based on expected values of alleles passed down from common ancestors. It does not take Mendelian sampling into consideration, so the EBV of all individuals within the same family is estimated to be the same value. However, GEBV makes estimating true kinship coefficient based on different genotypes of individuals possible, so GEBV that corresponds to each individual is estimated rather than a uniform GEBV for each individual. Since Hanwoo cows bred through embryo transfer have a high possibility of having the same parent, if ssGBLUP after adding genotype is used, estimating true kinship coefficient corresponding to each individual becomes possible, allowing for more accurate estimation of breeding value.

Carcass parameters of farmed sika deer

New methods for evaluating cervid carcasses without the need to divide them into primal cuts are constantly being sought. A possible solution could be the use of indirect methods based on correlations between carcass parameters and regression equations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to characterize the carcasses of farmed males of sika deer, and to determine the relationships between their parameters. The analyzed carcass parameters were found to be closely correlated. The regression equations derived in the study can be used to predict the weights of individual carcass cuts and, in the future, to facilitate carcass classification and grading.

Estimation of body and carcass composition of crossbred growing bulls from 11th rib dissection

Precise methods for measuring livestock body and carcass composition are essential for both animal and meat scientists. The aim of this study was to calibrate the 11th rib cut dissection method for the estimation of crossbred beef-on-dairy bull empty body (EB) and carcass compositions against reference tissue and chemical postmortem measurements. Sixty-six (66) crossbred bulls from Angus, Limousin and Simmental sires (n = 22 each) crossed on Brown Swiss dams were serially slaughtered along growth from 58 to 534 kg BW. The muscle, adipose tissue and bone contents of the left 11th rib were determined by physical dissection. Linear regressions followed by leave-one-out-cross-validation were tested between rib dissection variates (with or without additional ones: BW or carcass weight, carcass grading or postmortem linear measurements) and reference EB or carcass chemical (water, lipids, proteins, minerals and energy) and tissue (muscles, adipose tissues and bones, only for final slaughter group of 514 ± 12 kg BW, n = 30) compositions. When all bulls are considered (serial slaughter group, n = 66), the inclusion of rib dissection variate together with BW or hot carcass weight allowed precise estimations of EB and carcass masses and proportions of water [R2 ≥ 0.91, residual CV (rCV) ≤ 3.1%], lipid (R2 ≥ 0.88, rCV ≤ 14.0%), protein (R2 ≥ 0.23, rCV ≤ 3.7%) and energy (R2 ≥ 0.89, rCV ≤ 7.7%). Slight further improvements in precision were achieved when carcass grading conformation or fat scores was added to the multiple estimative regressions. Crossbreed effect was significant on the intercept of most of the predictive equations. Especially ×Angus had higher intercepts for lipids, energy and adipose tissues and lower ones for water, proteins and muscles, when compared to ×Limousin and ×Simmental. Further developments using for example rib imaging analysis rather than physical dissection may contribute to large scale and high-throughput phenotyping of body and carcass compositions.

Relationship of pig carcass grade with the amount of pork belly estimated with AutoFom III

Context Pork belly is the most preferable and expensive primal cut among various primal cuts in Korea. Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship of pig carcass grade with the amount of pork belly (kg). Methods In total, 350 179 Landrace, Yorkshire, and Duroc (LYD) pigs were graded with the Korean Pig Carcass Grade System. Amount of pork belly cut was estimated with an AutoFom III equipment. Key results Distribution characteristics of carcass weight, backfat thickness, belly weight, and belly fat percentage were analysed. When the yield of pork belly was investigated by grade, lower-grade carcass had a higher amount of pork belly (P &lt; 0.0001). The correlation coefficients between carcass weight and belly weight were 0.798 for Grade 1+, 0.906 for Grade 1, and 0.932 for Grade 2 (P &lt; 0.0001). The correlation between backfat thickness and belly weight was lower with a decreasing grade. Regression analysis was performed with carcass weight or backfat thickness as a dependent variable and belly weight as an independent variable. Coefficients of determination (ρ2) of carcass weight and belly weight for each grade were higher for a lower grade (0.637 for Grade 1+, 0.821 for Grade 1, 0.867 for Grade 2). Conclusion The lower-grade pork belly, the most expensive in Korea, had a higher quantity of pork belly, and the correlation coefficient between pork belly and carcass weight and between pork belly and backfat thickness was higher as the lower grade level increased. Implication For a reasonable price of pork in the market, the current lean meat-based carcass-grading system should also include the yield of each primal cut.

Effects of dietary addition of wormwood on growth performance, blood characteristics and meat quality in growing-fattening pigs

This study investigated the effects of the dietary addition of wormwood (Artemisia montana Pampan) on growth performance, blood characteristics, carcass traits, and meat quality in growing-fattening pigs. One hundred eighty crossed pigs (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc), weighing approximately 70 kg, were divided into four groups of 15 head (eight barrows and seven gilts) per pen, and the experiment was replicated thrice. The basal diet (C) was supplemented with 0.5% (T1), 1.0% (T2), and 1.5% (T3) of dried powdered wormwood, and the pigs were fed an experimental diet for six weeks. The average daily weight gain and feed efficiency were significantly higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in treatments than in C. On the contrary, the total cholesterol concentration was significantly lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in treatments than in C. Additionally, the high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration was significantly higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05), and the carcass grade was better (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the treatments than in C. The ether extract content of the longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was lower (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in T2 and T3 than that in C. In contrast, the unsaturated fatty acid (USFA) composition in LD muscle was higher (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the treatments than in C. Additionally, the marbling and flavour of cooked meat were better (P &amp;lt; 0.05) in the treatments than in C. The dietary addition of wormwood increased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) lightness and yellowness of the surface meat colour and decreased (P &amp;lt; 0.05) juiciness of the LD sensory evaluation. Therefore, the dietary addition of wormwood improved growth performance, feed efficiency, carcass grade, USFA composition, and oxidation of protein and lipids in the LD muscle of growing-fattening pigs.

89 Meat Science Perspective, Carcass Composition, and Grid Marketing: Have we Made any Advances?

Abstract Throughout recorded history of beef cattle improvement, the pendulum of cattle type has swung from large, old and extremely fat to extremely short in stature and overfinished to extremely tall in stature and lean to moderate in size and overfinished. During all of these transitions, the underlying growth principles of muscle, fat, and bone have remained constant. As animals age, muscle growth, as well as independent accumulation of water and protein increases at a decreasing rate whereas fat growth increases at an increasing rate. Beef carcass grading records reported by USDA indicate that percentage of Prime and Choice grade carcasses increased consistently from 62.9% in 1956 to a peak of 97.7% in 1987. Beginning in 1988, a notable decline in percentage of Prime and Choice began that plateaued from 1997 to 2007; USDA records indicate that Prime and Choice percentage was the lowest in history in 2006 at 59.0%. Since 2007, percentage of carcasses grading Prime and Choice has again steadily increased to 80.7% in 2021. Concomitantly, percentage of carcasses with yield grades of 4 or 5 has increased from a recent low of 1.3% in 1997 to 16.2% in 2021 – the highest percentage of overfinished cattle since records began. The recent improvement in quality is primarily the result of an industry paradigm shift from marketing of live animals and selling beef as a commodity to the marketing of carcasses and selling beef as premium branded products. Cattle feeders have been incentivized to market cattle as carcasses rather than live animals primarily due to the economics associated with carcass transfer. Carcass transfer is the proportion of live animal gain that is retained as carcass gain – this value increases at a decreasing rate during the finishing period and typically ranges from 75 to 85% of live animal gain. Our current yield assessment metric was developed in the late 1950s and is representative of cattle of that period, not modern cattle. The yield grade estimates 40% of the variation in cutability of beef-type cattle carcasses and 0% of the variation in cutability of dairy-type cattle. Opportunity exists to improve beef carcass yield estimation. The goal of our beef production system is to provide domestic and foreign customers with premium quality products that meet their expectations for palatability. Objective shear force values indicate that steaks from the rib and loin have continued to become more tender during the last 3 decades.

91 Key Economic and Marketing Trends in fed Cattle and High-Quality Beef

Abstract This presentation provides a descriptive overview of economic and marketing trends and key changes in cattle feeding over the last two decades. The focus will highlight four major areas: aspects of beef demand (domestic and foreign), market-driven carcass characteristics, economically driven producer production trends, and marketing arrangements. The last two decades have brought unique challenges and opportunities to the beef industry through demand changes and production technologies. Consumer diet trends, the rise and fall of saturated fat, and the expansion into the global marketplace have all shaped the beef demand profile. New technologies also have shaped feedlot management and marketing. Over the last two decades, changes have revolutionized fed cattle marketing, rewarding quality through alternative marketing arrangements, especially formula pricing, including grid pricing. Evolutionary changes have been seen in carcass grading characteristics (e.g., Choice/Select price spread) and helped focus production practices to zero in on producing higher-quality beef. Trends at the feedlot such as carcass weights, days on feed, and other productivity measures have also been shaped by in-part by economics. Last, we will offer a few comments on emerging issues and trends.

Association between rumen microbiota and marbling grade in Hu sheep.

The marbling fat regulates the flavor of mutton and measures the fat density in the loin eye and is the most important parameter of carcass grading. The objective of this study was to explore the relationship of rumen microbiota and mutton marbling grade. One hundred and eighty-seven feedlot-finished Hu male lambs (Age: 180 day; Final BW: 46.32 ± 6.03 kg) were slaughtered, and ruminal contents and marbling grade were collected. Ruminal microbial DNA extraction and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed to investigate microbial composition and to predict microbial metabolic pathways. The animal cohort was then grouped based on marbling grades [low marbling (LM), marbling grade ≤ 1; Medium marbling (MM), 1 < marbling grade ≤ 3; High Marbling (HM), 3 < marbling grade ≤ 5] and intramuscular fat-associated microorganisms were pinpointed using LEfSe and random forest classification model. Intramuscular fat content had significantly differences among the three groups (P < 0.05), and was significantly correlated with VFAs profiling. HM sheep showed a higher abundance of one bacterial taxon (Kandleria), and two taxa were overrepresented in the MM sheep (Pseudobutyrivibrio and Monoglobus), respectively. In addition, the main intramuscular fat deposition pathway was found to involve peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) fatty acid synthesis. By studying the effect of the ruminal microbiome on the marbling of sheep, the present study provides insights into the production of high-quality mutton.

Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4, Fatty Acid Synthase and Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase Genes Influence Carcass Characteristics of Tropical Crossbred Beef Steers

This study explored the identification of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), stearoyl-CoA desaturase (SCD), and fatty acid synthase (FASN) genes that may influence the carcass traits of tropical crossbred beef cattle. The hypothesis tested was that SNP in the FABP4, SCD, and FASN genes are associated with chiller-assessed carcass traits of tropically adapted northern Australian crossbred beef cattle. Fifty Bos indicus and Bos taurus crossbred steers were backgrounded on either buffel grass only, or buffel grass and desmanthus mixed pastures for 147 days and finished in a commercial feedlot for 110 days. Steers were slaughtered within 48 h of leaving the feedlot within a lairage period not exceeding 12 h and carcasses graded 12 h after slaughter. Next-generation sequencing of the FASN, FABP4, and SCD genes identified multiple SNP loci that were correlated and significantly associated with carcass traits. The FABP4 g.44677205A&gt;G locus was significantly associated with hump height and correlated with loin eye muscle area (EMA; p &lt; 0.05). Polymorphism in the SCD gene g.21275851C&gt;A locus was associated with subcutaneous fat depth and marbling score (p &lt; 0.05). The CC genotype had a higher subcutaneous fat depth and marbling score (p &lt; 0.05) than the AA genotype. Significant correlations were observed between carcass marbling score and subcutaneous fat depth within the FASN SNP locus (p &lt; 0.05). Therefore, the hypothesis that SNP in the FABP4, SCD, and FASN genes are associated with chiller-assessed carcass traits of tropically adapted northern Australian crossbred beef cattle was accepted. These findings suggest that SNP in the FABP4, SCD, and FASN genes may be used in carcass grading and meat quality improvement through marker-assisted selection of northern Australian crossbred beef cattle.

Effect of leptin C528T and leptin C73T polymorphisms and pregnancy on adipose tissue formation and carcass grade in Aberdeen Angus heifers and first-calf cows.

Background and Aim:The leptin (LEP) gene plays a role in the regulation of the activity required to obtain food, energy metabolism, and fat deposition and affects the body composition of animals. Lipogenesis is an ineffective process. A lot of energy from feed is expended on the synthesis of adipose tissue. This study aimed to determine the effect of LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms and pregnancy on adipose tissue formation and carcass grade in Aberdeen Angus heifers and first-calf cows.Materials and Methods:Heifers (n = 49) and first-calf cows (n = 30) were grouped according to their genotype for LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms at the age of 24 months. DNA samples were isolated from whole blood. Experimental animals were slaughtered at the age of 24 months, and a chemical analysis of samples of longissimus dorsi muscle and ground beef was performed.Results:The maximum internal fat weight, back-fat thickness, and fat content of the longissimus dorsi muscle and ground beef were determined in heifers heterozygous for both LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms. The ranking of genotypes in terms of adipose tissue formation did not change in first-calf cows compared to heifers carrying the same LEP gene variants. Pregnancy had a more significant (p < 0.05–0.001) effect on slaughter parameters and lipogenesis in animals of different genotypes than studied polymorphisms. Heterozygosity of the LEP gene was much more strongly expressed in the carcass grade of heifers. ”Prime” grades were assigned to 66.7% of carcasses heterozygous for LEP C528T and “Top Choice” to 58.8% of carcasses with LEP C73T nucleotide substitutions.Conclusion:LEP C528T and LEP C73T polymorphisms were shown to affect the extent of fat formation in Aberdeen Angus heifers and first-calf cows. Animals with heterozygous genotypes exhibited the maximum development of internal fat, back-fat, and intramuscular fat. Pregnancy had a more significant effect on slaughter parameters and adipose tissue formation than studied polymorphisms. First-calf cows had a significantly lower fat content in carcasses than heifers. These results can aid in the production of efficient mature herds of Aberdeen Angus cattle.

양돈 농가의 소득향상을 위한 방안 분석

This study conducts an analysis to improve the income of lower farms, to strengthen the competitiveness of Korean pig farms. The first way for high income is to improve the productivity of farms, and the other is to get good carcass grades of finishing pigs. As a way to improve the productivity of farms, we analyzed PSY, MSY, the appearance rate of 1+ grade, farrowing cycle per sow for year. We also analyzed the relationship with carcass grades and defective factors, and sow factors increasing the grade because the settlement price of the pig carcass grade can increase profitability. As a result, it is confirmed that the numbers of weaned piglet per sow and farrowing cycle per sow for year have the most influence on PSY, and the growing rate of suckling piglets and the numbers of weaned piglet per sow have the most influence on MSY. In addition, a statistically significant difference (p&lt;0.001) between the final grade and gender was found, and among the defective factors pork belly status and fat attachment have the most influence on downgrading. It is expected that these analysis results help effective farm management and farmers' long-term and short-term income improvement.

Deep learning feature extraction for image-based beef carcass yield estimation

Recently, there has been increased adoption of automation technologies in production facilities that help to curb mistakes, increase production speed and consistency, and reduce costs. Industrial automation owes its success to the advent of capable computers, smart algorithms, and data availability. In the modern-day slaughterhouse, automation technologies have been employed for operations such as cutting, deboning, grading. As one of the vital operations in the slaughterhouse, carcass grading is usually completed manually by grading staff, which is a bottleneck for production speed and consistency. However, due to the complexity of the problem, most of the technologies available for carcass grading suffer from low performance. This study aims to develop an image-analysis system that uses deep-learning tools for the prediction of key beef yield parameters. The image data collected from the carcass samples were used to develop deep-learning models that extract key features, which were then used to model and predict 23 beef carcass yield parameters using multiple linear regression. The models developed achieved good prediction performance for yield parameters such as lean meat percentage (with R 2 = 0.90, RMSE = 1.98%) and other yield parameters using a few selected features. The results from this study can be used as a foundation for developing an online beef carcass grading system. • Deep learning and image analysis are used to detect and extract useful features from carcass images. • The extracted features are used to effectively estimate 23 key beef carcass yield parameters. • Because of the simplicity of the proposed analysis approach, it can be a useful, cheap, and real time alternative to conventional carcass grading methods.

Beef from Holsteins x Angus Cross Calves - Observations

Early health challenges, adequate feedyard performance and good carcass grades can be expected when feeding dairy-beef cross calves.

Nondestructive estimation of beef carcass yield using digital image analysis

Assessment of beef carcass quality and yield is commonly done in a hands-on manner by experts who undertake lengthy tasks to quantify the yield and assign respective grades for every carcass on the slaughter line. Recently, there has been an outburst of technologies to speed up and support the expert’s carcass yield assessment. However, due to the complexity of the problem, most of these technologies have low performances. The goal of this research is to develop a novel image analysis system for prediction of beef yield and quality with acceptable accuracy. This study aims to combine image processing and statistical modelling to predict key beef carcass yield parameters. Using image data from 140 beef carcass samples, we were able to develop models that achieved good prediction performance for yield parameters like lean meat percentage (with R2 = 0.89, RMSE = 1.99%), and other parameters (with R2 > 0.86) using a few selected features from image analysis and multiple linear regression. Given the current industrial trend in beef carcass yield grading, the results we achieved could potentially serve as a basis for online beef carcass grading.

Economic Viability Analysis of an Oral Anthelmintic Treatment for Cattle in Feedlot

The economic viability of a commercial oral anthelmintic suspension containing 10% fenbendazole was evaluated in Angus x Nelore cattle in a feedlot. Two groups of 37 animals (treated and non-treated) were formed. A random-block design was used based on initial weight, egg count per gram of feces (EPG) and carcass grade. EPG counts and the determination of weight were performed on Days 0, 42 and 122. Carcass grade and yield were determined on the day of slaughter. Economic viability was evaluated using cost-effectiveness, sensitivity and financial analyses, considering three economic scenarios: most likely (M), optimistic (O) and pessimistic (P). The anthelmintic achieved 99.89% efficacy regarding EPG reduction. The animals exhibited an increase of 20.7 kg in live weight, 20.2 kg in live weight gain and 0.166 kg in daily weight gain (p &lt; 0.05). No effects were found on yield or carcass grade (p &gt; 0.05). The genus Haemonchus predominated at the onset of the study, whereas only the genus Cooperia was found after treatment. A net return of 14.60 USD per animal was found in the treated group, which remained viable under O, M and P scenarios, with respective differences of 18.92%, 12.86% and 91.15% in gross profit. The treatment was financially superior under all scenarios (real, M, O and P), with reductions of 1.89, 1.04, 0.48 and 16.39 years for the recovery of the initial investment. These results demonstrate the importance of economic analysis methods in the evaluation and selection of anthelmintics.