Breed and Sex Effects on the Content of Edible Meat in Beef Carcasses

G.C. Everitt, K.E. Jury and J.D.B. Ward

Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre, Hamilton

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Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1977, 37: 72-81

Carcass weight accounted for 95% of the variation in edible meat weight for steers and heifers, and 98% for bulls. Inclusion of fat cover measurement in multiple regression did not markedly improve prediction of edible meat content in this sample containing few relatively fat animals.

Steer and heifers of the same breed group did not differ significantly in edible meat yield, when yield was adjusted for carcass weight and depth of fat cover, but bulls produced 4.4% more meat than steers and heifers.

Significant breed differences in edible meat yield were recorded. Regression equations relating edible meat to carcass weight and depth of fat cover are presented for breed groups and the use of these discussed.

Keywords: NZSAPAB;