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Breed Differences in Amount and Distribution of Bovine Carcass Dissectible Fat

University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia

Abstract

The amount and distribution of total dissected fat was studied in 43 steer carcasses in Hereford, Angus, Friesian and Charolais x cattle. Breed differences were found in the distribution of total dissected fat between the subcutaneous and kidney plus pelvic fat depots at constant fat thickness, constant total dissected fat percentage and constant carcass weight. Hereford carcasses had significantly more subcutaneous fat and significantly less kidney plus pelvic fat than the other breeds. At constant fat thickness they had significantly less total dissected fat than the Friesian and Charolais x carcasses. With a change in total dissected fat percentage the change in fat thickness was similar among breeds, therefore differences were constant throughout the range of fat thickness values. Total dissected fat percentage differed significantly among breeds at constant carcass weight.

Subcutaneous fat increased and kidney plus pelvic fat decreased with increased total dissected fat percentage except in the Charolais x carcasses where both depots increased. Intermuscular fat percentage was relatively constant in relation to total dissected fat percentage except in the Charolais x where a significant decrease occurred with increasing fatness. Fat thickness increased significantly more with carcass weight in Hereford and Angus than in Friesian and Charolais x.

Breed differences in total dissected fat percentage at a constant fat thickness were less when kidney plus pelvic fat was not included in the carcass. Fat thickness was as useful for the prediction of total dissected fat percentage in carcasses without kidney plus pelvic fat as it was when this fat depot was included.

¹ Animal Husbandry Department, University of Queensland.

² Present Address: School of Veterinary Studies, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia.

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