Estimates of major cuts and edible portion of Holstein friesian steer carcasses

Abstract

This work involved 17 Holstein steer carcasses, raised in a feed lot from 6 to 24 months of age, when they were slaughtered. The objective of this study was to establish regression equations to estimate the weight and percentage of cuts and of edible portion of the carcass. The independent variables were: live weight, cool carcass weight, carcass length, leg length, longissimus dorsi area, covering fat thickness and conformation; and the dependent variables were: weight and percentage of the socalled saw cut (round, rump and loin), weight and percentage of forequarter (first five ribs), weight and percentage of ribs (last eight), weight and percentage of edible portion. The cool carcass weight was the most important characteristic to esimate weight of cuts and edible portion. Carcass length, conformation, and longissimus dorsi area were found to be measurements of less value for carcass evaluation.