A principal component analysis of the 4×4 sire, maternal, management and environmental (co)variance matrices derived from a multi-trait sire model was conducted to describe variability in four economically important carcass traits. Carcass weight (HCWt), P8 fat (P8), eye muscle area (EMA) and intramuscular fat (IMF) collected from 1144 heifers and steers calves from seven sire breeds: Angus, Be...

Heritabilities (ĥ2) and genetic correlations (rG) were estimated by regression of offspring on sire in two replicate, unselected lines of mice. Traits were associated with growth, feed efficiency, fat deposition and lean tissue. The ĥ2 for growth traits ranged from .34 to .42, except for 3-wk body weight, which was only .05. The ĥ2 for feed efficiency was .28. Ranges in ĥ2 were .45 to .50 for f...

The objectives of this study were 1) to investigate the effect of changes in carcass market prices due to bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) occurrences on estimates of genetic parameters and economic weights for carcass traits; and 2) to compare direct and indirect approaches for prediction of genetic merit of Japanese Black cattle for profitability of their progeny. The direct approach ut...

Thirty males and thirty females suckling Criollo Cordobes kid goats of approximately 60 to 90 days old were used in this study. Kids were slaughtered at <9.5 kg, >9.5<11 kg and >11 kg of empty body weight. The carcasses showed a medium conformation index. The meat and fat colour, and internal subcutaneous fatness were mainly scored as either pink, cream, slight and low-medium, respectively. The...

The objective of this study was to estimate the genetic and environmental parameters for carcass, carcass part, and organ weights in a paternal strain of broiler chickens that was selected mainly for body weight at 42 days of age (BW42) to provide support for poultry genetic improvement programs. A total of 1448 chickens were used that resulted from the expansion of a pure paternal strain named...

With the adoption of visual instrument grading, the calculated yield grade can be used for payment to cattle producers selling on grid pricing systems. The USDA beef carcass grading standards include a relationship between required LM area (LMA) and HCW that is an important component of the final yield grade. As noted on a USDA yield grade LMA grid, a 272-kg (600-lb) carcass requires a 71-cm(2)...

The importance of species richness in maintaining ecosystem function in the field remains unclear. Recent studies however have suggested that in some systems functionality is maintained by a few abundant species. Here we determine this relationship by quantifying the species responsible for a key ecosystem role, carcass removal by scavengers. We find that, unlike those within largely unaltered ...

The quality and value of the carcass in domestic meat animals are reflected in its protein and fat content. Preadipocytes and adipocytes are important in establishing the overall fatness of a carcass, as well as being the main contributors to the marbling component needed for consumer preference of meat products. Although some fat accumulation is essential, any excess fat that is deposited into...