Accuracy and repeatability of live-animal ultrasound measures, and the relationships of these measures with subprimal yields and carcass value, were investigated using data from 172 wethers. Wethers were F(1) progeny from the mating of 4 terminal sire breeds to Rambouillet ewes and were finished in a feedlot to a mean BW of 62.9 kg (SD = 9.5 kg). Before transport to slaughter, LM area, LM depth...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between slaughter age and slaughter-carcass characteristics in 2 quail lines. With this aim, a Japanese quail flock subjected to mass selection to increase BW for 4 generations and a control flock that randomly mated for 4 generations were used. Birds of both lines were slaughtered at 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 wk of age. Weights of carcass, breast,...

Modeling of broiler chicken supply-chain economics depends on robust biological models of growth and yield of broiler chickens. In this paper, 8 dynamic nonlinear broiler carcass and carcass part yield models were evaluated statistically for their suitability for predicting weights of carcass parts. The analysis employed 4 sigmoidal (S) models (Gompertz, modified Gompertz, Richards, and Lopez) ...

Meat-type (Boer x Spanish and Spanish) goats from two feeding regimens (feedlot and range) were slaughtered and live and carcass weights were obtained. At 24 h after death, various yield and quality measurements were collected. One side from each carcass was fabricated into major wholesale cuts for dissection into major carcass components. Feedlot goats had heavier (P<.05) live and carcass weig...

The present study was carried out to study the carcass and meat quality traits of two breeds of [New Zealand White (NZW) and Californian (CAL)] under environmental conditions in Egypt. Two hundred of NZW and CAL (100 rabbits of each bread of 50 males and 50 females) aged and slaughtered at 12 weeks .The following traits were recorded: body weight at slaughter age carcass weight, meat, fat and a...

The present study was conducted to determine the best level of substitution of soybean meal by sunflower cake in diets for kids through the evaluation of quantitative carcass traits. Thirty-two Boer kids X 1/2 NDB (no defined breed), males, non-castrated, with 4 months of age and initial body weight of 15±3.2 kg, were randomly assigned to individual pens. The treatments contained four substitut...

Real-time ultrasonography (RTU) was used to measure the longissimus dorsi muscle (LM) volume in vivo and to predict the carcass composition of rabbits. For this, 63 New Zealand White × Californian rabbits with 2093±63 g live weight were used. Animals were scanned between the 6th and 7th lumbar vertebrae using an RTU equipment with a 7.5 MHz probe. Measurements of LM volume were obtianed both in...

We have described recently that cancer patients have low plasma arginine concentrations, even without weight loss being present, suggesting that decreased arginine availability may be a specific feature of the presence of tumour. As arginine is important in post-operative repair, we hypothesized that abnormalities in arginine metabolism in cancer lead to an aberrant post-operative response in a...

Palm Kernel Oil Residue (PKOR) is a waste product obtained after extracting oil from palm kernel by cottage industries. The residue is dumped at processing sites and the stench that emanates from the oxidizing product, causes nuisance to processors and nearby residents. Animal scientists are advocating the use of the fresh product as energy resource in broiler rations. This study was therefore ...

Current methods of pricing live animals do not adequately recognize differences in carcass composition and therefore do not adequately relate consumer demands to producers. Pricing systems based on carcass merit will be necessary before this relationship can exist. In order for carcass merit pricing systems to be accepted, methods to estimate carcass composition must be both accurate and object...