Manuscript Abstract

BEEF CARCASS GRADING STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT USING MORPHOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS IN TUNISIA
A. Slimene, C. Damergi, T. Najar, M. Ben Mrad

A. Slimene1*, C. Damergi2, T. Najar2, and M. Ben Mrad2

1Interprofessional Group for Red Meats and Dairy Products, 8 Rue Claude Bernard 1002, Tunis, Tunisia

2National Institute of Agronomy of Tunis, 43, Avenue Charles Nicolle, 1083, Tunis, Tunisia

Corresponding Author: a_slimene@yahoo.com
Page Number(s): 645-652
Published Online First: October 19, 2021
Publication Date: May 30, 2022
ABSTRACT

The main objective of this study was to characterize carcasses of slaughtered bulls in order to develop a carcass grading standard. Two hundred thirty carcasses were evaluated morphometrically for conformation and fatness. The breeds were Holstein, Limousin, Charolais, and crossbred beef bulls. Carcass measurements recorded at the slaughterhouse were: carcass length, hind leg perimeter, carcass depth, hind leg length and thickness. Hot carcass weight, fat thickness at the sixth rib and kidney fat weight were recorded. Principal component analysis and cluster analysis were performed to characterize carcasses. Analysis of variance was also performed to determine significant difference between the four classes of carcasses identified in this study. Results showed four groups of carcasses described as follows: (1) low weight and small size carcasses, (2) average weight and large size carcasses, (3) heavy weight and small size carcasses, (4) heavy weight and large size carcasses. In conclusion, weight and length of the carcass can be used as the main measurements to establish a carcass grading grid in Tunisia.

Keywords: Carcass measurements, bulls, classification, component analysis, cluster analysis
Open Access: This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).


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