An evaluation of the fat-depth indicator on carcasses of pigs,
cattle and sheep
J.L. Adam, J.J. Bass, A.H .Kirton
Ruakura Animal Research Station, Hamilton
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production.
1982, 42: 127-130
Fat depths were measured on the hot carcasses of 128 pigs, 64
steers and 106 lambs using an appropriate Fat-Depth Indicator (FDI).
Corresponding linear depths were taken 4 cm (pigs), 8 cm (steers) and
3.5 cm (lambs) lateral to the dorsal midline in the region of last rib.
Pig and steer carcasses were physically dissected into subcutaneous fat
plus rind and trim fat respectively. Of fat depths taken on the hot
carcass by FDI 72, 57 and 98% were within ±1 mm of the linear depth for
pigs, steers and heavy weight lambs respectively. The FDI tended to
over-read corresponding linear depths of lighter weight lambs. Residual
standard deviations for predicting linear fat depths from hot FDI
readings were 1.53 mm and 1.4 mm for pigs and steers.
Fat content of pig carcasses predicted from a multiple regression
including side weight and either the hot FDI fat depth or linear calliper
depth had residual standard deviations of 2.88% and 2.35% respectively.
For steers the corresponding residual standard deviations were 3.8 kg
and 3.2 kg. Accuracy of predicting carcass fatness in pigs was
improved by allowing intercepts to vary with 'backing down'.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
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