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Relationship of Physically Separable Muscle, Fat and Bone from the Left Side of Steer Carcasses to Yields of Retail Cuts, Fat Trim and Bone of the Right Side¹

Michigan State University, East Lansing

Abstract

The relationships of physically separably muscle, fat and bone of the left side to yields of retail cuts, fat trim and bone from the right side of 80 steer carcasses were studied. Forty light- and 40 heavy weight carcasses were selected with four fat thickness (12th rib) ranges included within each weight group.

Significant (P<.01) simple correlation coefficients were observed between the separable muscle, fat and bone of the left side and yield of retail cuts, fat trim and bone of the right side for both weight and percent of these traits in the combined as well as within weight groups. Correlations between total separable muscle and retail cuts were higher in the light weight than in the heavy weight group; whereas, correlations for separable fat and bone with fat trim and retail bone, respectively, were greater in the heavy weight group. While most of the correlations within fat thickness groups within weight groups were quite similar to those for the combined fat thickness groups within each weight group, several of the correlations within fat thickness groups were considerably lower. Seventy-one percent or less of the variation in total separable muscle and fat was accounted for by percent retail cuts and fat trim. The determination of the separable components is the best determination of physical carcass composition, and the data obtained in this study indicate that retail cuts or fat trim are not as accurate for estimation of the separable muscle or fat as separable components of some carcass parts.

¹ Journal Article 4372, Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, East Lansing, Michigan.

² Present Address: Dept. of Animal Husbandry, Kansas State University, Manhattan.

³ The Authors wish to acknowledge support by Research grants from the American Angus Association and the American Hereford Association. The Authors also wish to Express Appreciation to J. L. Gill and K. E. Kemp for Assistance in the statistical analysis of the data in this manuscript.