The Genetic Improvement of Carcass Composition in Beef Cattle
نویسندگان
چکیده
Although carcass trait selection programs have primarily focused on carcass marbling (quality grade), recent changes in the North American beef industry will very likely increase the economic importance of carcass composition (yield grade). Ultrasound technology is a valuable tool in these efforts. This review summarizes recent research pertaining to the role of ultrasound in improving carcass lean percentage in beef cattle. Incorporating commercial carcass data generated by new grading technologies to improve ultrasound-based genetic evaluations for carcass composition is discussed. The potential value of including genotype data from quantitative trait loci is addressed, as well as negative genetic correlations between carcass composition and other economically relevant traits in commercial beef production.
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