Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of previous BW gain during winter grazing on subsequent growth, carcass characteristics, and change in body composition during the feedlot finishing phase. In each experiment, 48 fall-weaned Angus × Angus-Hereford steer calves were assigned randomly to one of three treatments: 1) high rate of BW gain grazing winter wheat (HGW), 2) low rate of...

A bioeconomic model was developed to predict slaughter end points of different genotypes of feeder cattle, where profit/rotation and profit/day were maximized. Growth, feed intake, and carcass weight and composition were simulated for 17 biological types of steers. Distribution of carcass weight and proportion in four USDA quality and five USDA yield grades were obtained from predicted carcass ...

Live animal and carcass data were collected from market barrows and gilts (n = 119) to determine the accuracy and precision of using a single longitudinal scan, parallel to midline, in estimating body and carcass composition. Data from test pigs (n = 96) were used to develop prediction equations. Best results were obtained in predicting weight of boneless cuts (ham, loin, and shoulder), weight ...

Real-time ultrasound is a useful technology for measuring carcass composition in live animals and to select future seedstock for carcass merit. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the use of ultrasound to predict the amount of fat and muscle in Iberian pigs. A total of 163 Iberian pigs were ultrasonically scanned one day before slaughter, and carcass composition was also dete...

Quantitative trait loci (QTL) were identified for traits related to carcass and meat quality in Scottish Blackface sheep. The population studied comprised a double backcross between lines of sheep previously divergently selected for carcass lean content (LEAN and FAT lines), comprising nine half-sib families. Carcass composition (600 lambs) was assessed non-destructively using computerised tomo...

Two experiments were conducted to examine the effect of previous BW gain during winter grazing on subsequent growth, carcass characteristics, and change in body composition during the feedlot finishing phase. In each experiment, 48 fall-weaned Angus x Angus-Hereford steer calves were assigned randomly to one of three treatments: 1) high rate of BW gain grazing winter wheat (HGW), 2) low rate of...

The objective of this experiment was to study the usefulness of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in determining soft tissue composition (STC) and carcass fat-free mass (CFFM) of Holstein steers at different ages. Growth data and prediction of STC and CFFM were determined for four groups of Holstein steers: 12 of 3 mo, 12 of 6 mo, 15 of 9 mo, and 16 of 12 mo of age. Average weight for anim...

OBJECTIVE Fresh sugarcane has been a new roughage source for ruminant's in semiarid regions, a function of the decline of sugar and alcohol industry in recent years. However, there is little data published regarding lambs fed sugarcane associated with spineless cactus. This study evaluated the effect of sugarcane replacement with spineless cactus (0%, 33%, 66%, and 100%) in the diet of Santa In...

The objective of this experiment was to study the usefulness of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) in determining soft tissue composition (STC) and carcass fat-free mass (CFFM) of Holstein steers at different ages. Growth data and prediction of STC and CFFM were determined for four groups of Holstein steers: 12 of 3 mo, 12 of 6 mo, 15 of 9 mo, and 16 of 12 mo of age. Average weight for anim...

The objectives were to study the relationship between in vivo ultrasound measurements and cold carcass measurements at 4 anatomical points along the backbone of lambs and to determine appropriate regression equations to estimate carcass composition by using ultrasonic measurements at each anatomical point. The lambs (n = 114) used were suckling lambs (BW = 11.09 kg), light lambs (BW = 22.43 kg)...