Full Live Weight Research Articles

Effects of differences in level of post-weaning nutrition and in sire expected progeny differences for ribeye area on retail cuts yield in Hereford steers

Context Uninterrupted nutrient uptake and the use of bulls with high genetic merit for carcass traits may increase the likelihood of producing high-quality retail cuts for different markets. Aim The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the combined effects of level of nutrition during the 104-day post-weaning winter period (WADG; low-L: 0.2 vs high-H: 0.6 kg/calf per day) and level of expected progeny differences (EPD) for ribeye area (REA; high-H or average-Av) on carcass traits and retail cuts of Hereford steers. Methods Three crops of calves (n = 317) were selected according to REA (H-REA vs Av-REA), blocked for weaning weight (WW) and randomly allotted to one of the two WADG treatments (L-WADG vs H-WADG) for 104 days. Experimental design was a completely random block and the treatments were the combination of two factors (2 × 2). After winter (L-WADG and H-WADG groups), all calves grazed on improved pastures (herbage allowance: 5% of liveweight (LW) per day). The finishing was done on a feedlot and started when the group average of animals reached a full LW (FLW) of 350 ± 28 kg. Cattle were harvested at a constant final FLW of 525 ± 40 kg. Key results No interaction was observed (P > 0.05) between WADG and REA for carcass traits. Animals with H-WADG presented higher (P < 0.05) hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing-out (%) than L-WADG. High REA and H-WADG steers showed higher weight (kg) in the rump and loin, striploin, sirloin, and lean component in the pistola cut (P < 0.01). Likewise, H-REA and H-WADG presented a greater proportion of rump and loin (P < 0.01) and lean (%) (P < 0.05) than Av-REA and L-WADG, respectively. Conclusions The combined effects of greater post-weaning winter gains and high REA EPD allow slaughter of younger steer with greater lean proportion and retail cuts. Implications No interaction between the REA and WADG allows producers to plan economic benefits through a higher WADG in the first winter phase as well as using superior bulls for carcass traits to achieve heavier retail cuts.

Camel meat production and quality: A Review

Approximately 250, 000 thousand camels are slaughtered annually in different countries. About 50% of the camels slaughtered are young males aged around 4 years. The camel meat is described as tough, coarse, watery and sweetish in taste compared to meats from other animals. However, evidence suggests that quality characteristics of camel meat are not much different from beef if animals are slaughtered at comparable ages. In some of the African and Asian countries, camel meat has been used for its medicinal properties. Based on recent FAOSTAT (2015) database, in 2013 global camel meat production reached 539, 100 Tonnes. Region wise Africa was leading with 416, 292 Tonnes produced, followed by Asia (122, 608 Tonnes) and Europe (200 Tonnes). Camel meat is much better than beef in that it has lesser fat than all the other red meats such as beef and mutton. Camel lean meat contains about 78% water, 19% protein, 3% fat and 1.2% ash with a small amount of intramuscular fat. Camel meat has a comparable essential amino acid contents to beef, lamb and goat meat. The camel hump is important and commonly used for cooking in camel producing countries. On fresh weight basis, the camel hump contributes about 64.2–84.8% fat with very high content of saturated fatty acids of about 63.0%. The semitendinosus muscle in the dromedary and bactrian camels had more magnesium than infraspinatous, triceps brachii, longissimus thoraces and biceps femoris muscles. The semitendinosus and semimembranosus muscles had more iron than other muscles in dromedary. The male camels should be slaughtered between 1 to 3 years of age. This might be due to that less than 3 year of age, camels were not yet fully-grown (60–70% of full live weight), therefore, their meat is tender. A high ultimate pH in camel muscles is a consequence of low muscle glycogen as a result of pre-slaughter stress, including, poor nutrition, rough handling and long transportation. Muscle structure, glycogen concentration, collagen content, solubility and the activities of proteases and their inhibitors are the most important physiological parameters affecting meat tenderness. Water retention in meat is primarily caused by immobilisation of water within the myofibrillar system. The volume of the camel meat was reduced by 44.3% and weight by 48.2% after boiling in water for 40 min. The age of the camel has a significant effect on their meat colour (Kadim et al, 2006). Meat colour from 6–8 and 10–12 year old camels was darker (lower L*), redder (higher a*) and yellower (high b*) than 1–3 year old camels because of higher concentrations of myoglobin. Camel meat is rich in many essential amino acids, minerals, vitamins, bioactives compounds such as carnosine, anserine, glutathione and essential fatty acids such as omega 3 fatty acids. Meat in general is considered a functional food for cures of many ailments and for improved performance in many cultures around the world. Camel meat has been processed into burgers, patties, sausages and shawarma to add value. The nutritional value of camel meat is similar to other red meats.

Liveweight prediction from hip height, condition score, fetal age and breed in tropical female cattle

Hip height, body condition, subcutaneous fat, eye muscle area, percentage Bos taurus, fetal age and diet digestibility data were collected at 17 372 assessments on 2181 Brahman and tropical composite (average 28% Brahman) female cattle aged between 0.5 and 7.5 years of age at five sites across Queensland. The study validated the subtraction of previously published estimates of gravid uterine weight to correct liveweight to the non-pregnant status. Hip height and liveweight were linearly related (Brahman: P &lt; 0.001, R2 = 58%; tropical composite P &lt; 0.001, R2 = 67%). Liveweight varied by 12–14% per body condition score (5-point scale) as cows differed from moderate condition (P &lt; 0.01). Parallel effects were also found due to subcutaneous rump fat depth and eye muscle area, which were highly correlated with each other and body condition score (r = 0.7–0.8). Liveweight differed from average by 1.65–1.66% per mm of rump fat depth and 0.71–0.76% per cm2 of eye muscle area (P &lt; 0.01). Estimated dry matter digestibility of pasture consumed had no consistent effect in predicting liveweight and was therefore excluded from final models. A method developed to estimate full liveweight of post-weaning age female beef cattle from the other measures taken predicted liveweight to within 10 and 23% of that recorded for 65 and 95% of cases, respectively. For a 95% chance of predicted group average liveweight (body condition score used) being within 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1% of actual group average liveweight required 23, 36, 62, 137 and 521 females, respectively, if precision and accuracy of measurements matches that used in the research. Non-pregnant Bos taurus female cattle were calculated to be 10–40% heavier than Brahmans at the same hip height and body condition, indicating a substantial conformational difference. The liveweight prediction method was applied to a validation population of 83 unrelated groups of cattle weighed in extensive commercial situations on 119 days over 18 months (20 917 assessments). Liveweight prediction in the validation population exceeded average recorded liveweight for weigh groups by an average of 19 kg (~6%) demonstrating the difficulty of achieving accurate and precise animal measurements under extensive commercial grazing conditions.

The effect of feeding system on carcass characteristics, non-carcass components and retail cut percentages of lambs

Thirty crossbred West African lambs were assigned randomly to three different feeding systems: T1: grass pasture grazing ( Cenchrus ciliaris) +2 h/day of grazing leucaena; T2: grazing pasture +300 g of feed concentrate and T3: grazing only on grass pasture in order to determine the effect of feed supplementation on carcass characteristics, non-carcass components, retail cut percentages and quality of lambs carcasses. Full live weight and empty live weight were 22 and 30% heavier ( p < 0.05) for T1 and T2 with respect to T3. T2 differed from T1 and T3 in hot carcass weight (2.1 and 3.6 kg more) and cold carcass weight (1.2 and 2.2 kg more), respectively. T2 had a higher dressing percentage ( p < 0.05) than T1 and T3 (40.77 vs. 37.88 and 35.07), respectively. T1 and T2 were 24 and 29% more in ribeye area than T3. The conformation was not very favorable in any of the treatments. The conformation of the leg in T1 and T2 was poor (slightly concave) and for T3 very poor (concave). T1 and T2 lambs had lighter feet (0.22 percentage points) and heavier testicles (0.52 and 0.60 percentage points), with respect to T3, respectively. The livers in T2 weighed 14 and 107 g more than in T1 and T3, respectively. T1 and T3, however, had a higher proportion of full intestines (6.32 and 2.64 percentage points, respectively) than T2. There were no differences between treatments ( p > 0.05) for the chop, leg and shoulder neck percentages but there was a difference ( p < 0.05) in the loin percentage in T1 and T2 with respect to T3 (4.69 and 4.57 vs. 3.93) respectively. T2 showed higher percentages of internal and fat deposits in kidneys than T1 and T3. T1 and T3 had light while T2 had moderate external carcass fat. T1 and T2 had slightly dark red muscle color while the muscle color for T3 was cherry red. It was concluded that the combination of feed concentrates and/or Leucaena leucocephala is an alternative in the production of well-finished lamb carcasses with good external fat, meat of better quality and appearance for the consumer and higher percentages in retail cuts.

Effects of sex and year on growth and live assessment of carcass characteristics of lambs grazing annual pastures

Lambs from the Poll Dorset x (Border Leicester x Merino) cross were raised from a late lambing in 1983 (a year when pastures grew unchecked and had high clover content) and 1984 (a year with intermittent dry periods and a low clover content in pastures). Multivariate repeated measures analyses were used to compare growth rates for rams, wethers and ewes within 2 periods of growth in 1983, and 4 in 1984. In all stages rams grew significantly faster than wethers and ewes, whereas wether growth rate exceeded that of ewes in only 3 stages. In general, when pasture availability and quality was high, rams grew faster than wethers by 0.3 kg/week and ewes by 0.5 kg/week. The rams grew 0.16 kg/week faster when pasture availability was limiting for a period in winter but lost significant (P&lt;0.01) body condition, whilst ewes maintained both weight and condition. When good quality feed was again available, rams gained more weight than wethers, as did wethers compared with ewes, while rams and wethers gained more condition than ewes. Carcass weight and fatness, measured either as indicators of fat (GR measurement or fat score) or as total subcutaneous fat, could be predicted from assessments made on live lambs. Full liveweight, sex and year explained 41% of variation in GR, 48% in fat score and 79% in subcutaneous fat. Condition score, sex and year explained 45% of variation in GR, 52% in fat score and 57% in subcutaneous fat. Full liveweight, condition score, sex and year explained 80% of the variation in subcutaneous fat, 47% in GR and 57% in fat score. An interaction of sex with full liveweight in predicting carcass weight and subcutaneous fat indicated that as carcass size increased, the sex of the lamb became an increasingly important consideration when assessing characteristics important in describing lamb carcasses. Dressing percentage decreased by 0.08/kg as liveweight increased. This result was consistent over the 2 years, with opportunities for error being assessed and eliminated in the second year. Notwithstanding that this was an unimportant loss in real terms, published information showed an increase in dressing percentage with liveweight.

Studies on the growth and carcass composition in Daldale wether lambs. 1. The effect of dietary energy concentration and pasture species

Thirty-two Daldale wether lambs were randomly allocated in groups of four and were grown from 23.3 � 0.4 kg liveweight until slaughter at a final full liveweight of 37.5 kg. Eight lambs were fed on a high energy diet (HE) ad libitum, eight lambs were given a low energy (LE) diet ad libitum, eight lambs grazed Trifolium repens L. (WC) pasture and eight others grazed Phalaris aquatica L. (PH) pasture. Those on the HE diet grew at 171 g/day, the lambs on the LE diet at 105 g/day, white clover lambs at 227 g/day and lambs on phalaris at 198 g/day. The HE lambs when compared with the LE, the grazed Trifolium repens L. (WC) pasture and eight others grazed Phalaris aquatica L. (PH) pasture. Those on the HE diet grew at 171 g/day, the lambs on the LE diet at 105 g/day, white clover lambs aat 227 g/day and lambs on phalaris at 198 g/day. The HE lambs when compared with the LE, the WC and the PH lambs, had significantly greater dressing percentage (54.7 compared with 48.8, 5 1.3 and 49.4 respectively), fat thickness over the 12th rib section (8.9 mm compared with 5.5, 5.6 and 4.8 mm), more omental fat ( + 15%, + 65%, and + 57%), kidney, perinephric and pelvic fat (+ 35%, + 85%, and + 54%), a greater amount of dissectable fat from the 9-10-11th rib (+ 15%, +30% and + 33%) and from the long leg (+ 16%, +34% and +40%), and a greater amount of carcass chemical fat (+ 19%, +27% and + 35%). No differences existed among the LE and the two pasture groups in carcass composition.Digestion of two diets (HE and LE) in the stomach and intestines was studied. The flow of digesta from the rumen was higher (+ 37%); the flow of digesta from the abomasum per unit of organic matter intake was higher (+ 47%) and the mean residence time of 51Cr-EDTA in the rumen was lower (-17%) for the LE diet than for the HE diet. There was a 23% higher concentration of acetic acid, and a 33% lower concentration of propionic acid, 6.5% less butyric acid and 30% less combined valeric acids.The greater amount of fat in the carcass of the sheep fed the high energy diet appears to be associated with the higher concentration of propionic acid in the ruminal volatile fatty acids and none of the other parameters of digestion. There may also have been a more eficient utilization of metabolizabe energy on the high energy diet.

Changes in body composition relative to weight and maturity in large and small strains of Australian Merino rams 3. Body organs

ABSTRACTMaturing patterns are established for 26 body organs using data from 35 rams of two strains of Merinos of different mature size (97 and 120 kg).The proportion of shorn full live weight represented by each structure at maturity was very similar for all organs except the head, hide and distal limbs which were relatively heavier in the small strain. and small intestine and blood which were relatively heavier in the large strain.All organs were early maturing relative to shorn full live weight except the hide and the penis plus bladder, which matured at the same rate as live weight. The maturity coefficients differed between strains only for the head, thyroid and omasum.Differences in the proportion of live weight comprised by each organ in the two strains were compared at the same shorn full live weight and at the same proportion of mature shorn full live weight. Differences in the various portions of the alimentary tract and other internal organs, with the exception of the kidneys, which were evident in comparisons at the same weight, were reduced when compared at the same proportion of maturity. The difference between strains for head, hide and distal limbs was greater at equal maturity than at equal weight suggesting a functional relationship to body weight rather than to ultimate mature body size.It was concluded in genetic comparisons of animals of different mature size, the most appropriate basis of comparison of relative organ weight will be at the same proportion of mature live weight.

Changes in body composition relative to weight and maturity in large and small strains of Australian Merino rams 1. Muscle, bone and fat

ABSTRACTMaturing patterns of carcass muscle, bone and fat were established using dissection data from 20 large mature size strain and 19 small mature size strain Merino rams. The rams were fed a pelleted ration soon after weaning and individual rams from both strains slaughtered at 6 kg increments in live weight from 18 kg to maturity at 116 and 91 kg for the large and small strains respectively.Composition of mature rams of both strains was similar for the proportion of muscle and bone but there was a slightly greater proportion of fat in the larger strain.The progress of each carcass tissue to maturity was assessed relative to progress of shorn full live weight to maturity. Maturing patterns of the three carcass tissues were not significantly different in the two strains. Muscle and bone were early maturing relative to live weight and fat late maturing.The composition of the large and small mature size strains at the same live weight and at the same proportion of maturity was predicted from the maturity patterns of the carcass tissues and the composition of the mature rams. At the same live weight the large mature size strain had a greater proportion of bone and a smaller proportion of fat than the small mature size strain. At the same proportion of mature live weight, differences between the strains in proportional composition were reduced, and the large mature size strain had slightly more fat.Some guidelines for comparison of strains of animals of different mature size are developed.

Corrigendum - Relative efficiency of Merino and Border Leicester × Merino ewes

Thirteen South Australian strong-wool Merino ewes and eight Border Leicester × Merino ewes mated to Poll Dorset rams were fed on lucerne pellets ad libitum during late pregnancy and lactation in pens. Each of their single-born progeny was slaughtered at 33 kg full liveweight. Breeds were compared for efficiency of the ewe (organic matter intake per unit liveweight and clean wool per unit intake), efficiency of the lamb (liveweight and body solids gain per litre of milk), and efficiency of the ewe-lamb unit (liveweight and carcass weight per unit intake). Border Leicester × Merino ewes ate 7% less organic matter per unit liveweight than Merino ewes during lactation; however, there was no significant difference during late pregnancy. In terms of absolute intake 120 Merinos = 100 Border Leicester × Merinos. Border Leicester × Merino ewes were 73% as efficient in converting feed to clean wool as Merino ewes. Merino ewes grew wool of smaller diameter and higher crimp frequency than crossbreds. Lambs from the Merino ewes were as efficient in converting milk into animal tissue as the progeny from Border Leicester x Merino ewes during the first 4 weeks of suckling. Lambs from Merino ewes required on average 25 extra days to grow to the same slaughter weight and ate 110% more organic matter from solid feed than lambs from crossbred ewes. However, the proportion of feed eaten by the lamb was small (10%) compared with that eaten by the ewe. Lambs from crossbred ewes were 23% heavier than those from Merino ewes at the same age. The crossbred ewe-lamb unit, however, consumed 20% more feed and hence was as efficient as the Merino ewe–lamb unit. The Merino ewe–lamb unit was more efficient than the crossbred ewe-lamb unit when the lamb genotypes were slaughtered at the same liveweight (P &lt; 0.05); however, the difference was not significant when expressed as carcass weight per unit intake.

Relative efficiency of Merino and Border Leicester × Merino ewes

Thirteen South Australian strong-wool Merino ewes and eight Border Leicester × Merino ewes mated to Poll Dorset rams were fed on lucerne pellets ad libitum during late pregnancy and lactation in pens. Each of their single-born progeny was slaughtered at 33 kg full liveweight. Breeds were compared for efficiency of the ewe (organic matter intake per unit liveweight and clean wool per unit intake), efficiency of the lamb (liveweight and body solids gain per litre of milk), and efficiency of the ewe-lamb unit (liveweight and carcass weight per unit intake). Border Leicester × Merino ewes ate 7% less organic matter per unit liveweight than Merino ewes during lactation; however, there was no significant difference during late pregnancy. In terms of absolute intake 120 Merinos = 100 Border Leicester × Merinos. Border Leicester × Merino ewes were 73% as efficient in converting feed to clean wool as Merino ewes. Merino ewes grew wool of smaller diameter and higher crimp frequency than crossbreds. Lambs from the Merino ewes were as efficient in converting milk into animal tissue as the progeny from Border Leicester x Merino ewes during the first 4 weeks of suckling. Lambs from Merino ewes required on average 25 extra days to grow to the same slaughter weight and ate 110% more organic matter from solid feed than lambs from crossbred ewes. However, the proportion of feed eaten by the lamb was small (10%) compared with that eaten by the ewe. Lambs from crossbred ewes were 23% heavier than those from Merino ewes at the same age. The crossbred ewe-lamb unit, however, consumed 20% more feed and hence was as efficient as the Merino ewe–lamb unit. The Merino ewe–lamb unit was more efficient than the crossbred ewe-lamb unit when the lamb genotypes were slaughtered at the same liveweight (P &lt; 0.05); however, the difference was not significant when expressed as carcass weight per unit intake.

The influence on growth rate and slaughter characteristics of implanting fattening male hoggets with various levels of hexoestrol and diethylstilboestrol

In three trials involving 288 hoggets the influence on growth rate of implanting 15 mg. hexoestrol or 12 mg. stilboestrol was compared. In one trial the influence of adding excipient to either stilboestrol or hexoestrol to increase the surface area of the implant was also assessed. Live-weight gain was calculated for each time interval after implantation and it was concluded that after approximately 140 days the influence of implantation had largely disappeared. For optimum benefit to live-weight gain implantations should be made approximately 100 days prior to slaughter.In all trials, implantation with synthetic oestrogens resulted in extra daily live-weight gain, the increase for all animals amounting to 31% extra daily gain for hexoestrol and 26% for stilboestrol. The addition of excipient to the implant diminished the initial growth response and reduced the extra gain achieved.Implantation with the synthetic oestrogens significantly increased the final live-weight on the farm, live-weight before slaughter and carcass weights when groups of animals from each treatment were slaughtered together.Stilboestrol and hexoestrol implantation resulted in an extra 4·7 and 6·1 lb. full live-weight; 3·7 and 5·3 lb. empty live-weight and 1·3 and 2·8 lb. extra carcass weight respectively, compared to controls killed at the same time.Where hoggets had received a high-plane diet, treatment did not affect killing-out percentage, but where the level of nutrition was lower a decrease of up to 1% was observed. In all trials treatment with the synthetic oestrogens resulted in an increase in pelt weight and in one trial this increase was up to 2 lb.Implantation with hexoestrol and stilboestrol increased the size of the gut full and empty in two of the trials. The differences were reduced when the gut weights were corrected to 100 lb. empty live-weight. The weight of the thyroid gland or the total weight of the trachea, heart and lungs were not affected by treatment.The approximate rate of uptake of hormone from a 12 mg. implant of stilboestrol was assessed by the decrease in the weight of dried tablet removed at slaughter from 30 to 200 days after implantation. The linear regression y (uptake in mg.)=3·029+0·039x (days from implantation) fitted the data best, giving an approximate average uptake over this period of 39 micrograms of stilboestrol per day.