J. Anim Sci.
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J. Anim Sci. 1988. 66:354-360.
© 1988 American Society of Animal Science
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Prediction of Empty Body Components in Steers by Urea Dilution1

A. C. Hammond2, T. S. Rumsey and G. L. Haaland3,4,

U.S. Department of Agriculture5 Beltsville, MD 20705

Abstract

Empty body composition of 68 mixed-breed and 50 Angus steers was determined by chemical analysis of the right half-carcass and entire noncarcass fraction of each steer. Chemical composition was used to develop prediction equations for empty body protein (EBPRO) and fat (EBFAT) in steers using urea space (US) and body weight measurements. Previous research showed a significant positive correlation between empty body water (EBH2 O) and urea space in these steers. For all steers studied, the percentage of EBH2 O ranged from 44.8 to 69.2 (mean = 56.0), the percentage of EBPRO ranged from 14.1 to 19.8 (mean = 17.0) and the percentage of EBFAT ranged from 6.1 to 38.1 (mean = 22.1). The best predictions obtained were multiple regression equations with actual weight of body components as dependent variables and US and empty body weight (EB) as independent variables. Urea space alone was a poor predictor of EBFAT, but US improved predictions based on live weight (LW) or EB alone. Coefficients of determination for the best predictions of percentage of composition were not as high as coefficients of determination for the best predictions of actual weight of body components. These data suggest that US measurements can be used to predict empty body composition of live steers, but this may require repeated measurements and an independent estimate of EB from LW for greatest accuracy.

Footnotes

1 Mention of companies or products is for the benefit of readers and does not constitute an endorsement or preferential treatment by the authors or the USDA.

2 Present address: USDA, ARS, Subtropical Agric. Res. Sta., Brooksville, FL 34605-0046.

3 Deceased.

4 The authors thank Larry Colbert, Dennis Hucht, Adrian Kozak, Banner Phillips and Ed Williams for technical assistance and the Meat Science Research Laboratory for help with slaughter and preparation of samples.

5 ARS, Ruminant Nutr. Lab.






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Copyright © 1988 by the American Society of Animal Science.