Animal Sciences

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Research from the Department of Animal Sciences. The department website may be found at https://www.ag.ndsu.edu/ansc

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Browsing Animal Sciences by Subject "Beef cattle -- Carcasses."

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    Evaluation of Feedlot Cattle Health Relative to Carcass Quality
    (North Dakota State University, 2010) Jeske, Theresa Mae
    The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD) and liver condemnation on beef carcass traits. Health treatment records for 2534 animals from a North Dakota feedlot were obtained and evaluated as evidence of BRD. Lung Lesions (n = 291) and lung condemnations (n = 1710) at slaughter where also evaluated as an indicator ofBRD. Liver condemnation (n = 2298) at slaughter was also considered in the analysis. Traits measured were hot carcass weight, USDA Quality Grade, USDA Yield Grade, ribeye area, marbling and lih rib fat thickness. All cattle were evaluated by experienced feedlot personnel and treated according to a health protocol utilized by the feedlot. The incidence rate of BRD was observed as affecting 3 .40% of the feedlot population. USDA Quality Grade (P = 0.001) and hot carcass weight (P = 0.07) were decreased for cattle treated for BRD. Cattle with lung condemnation at slaughter had a tendency for lower hot carcass weights. Conversely, marbling (P = 0.04) and lih rib fat thickness (P = 0.04) was increased for cattle with lung condemnations at slaughter. Ribeye area was decreased (P = 0.004) for cattle with liver condemnations at slaughter and cattle with liver condemnations had increased USDA Quality Grades (P = 0.03). The presence of any one particular measurement did not significantly affect all carcass traits measured; however, the relationships between health parameters and carcass traits may be considered in future research in specific carcass traits.