scholarly journals Factors influencing the incidence of high rigor temperature in beef carcasses in Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (4) ◽  
pp. 363 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Warner ◽  
F. R. Dunshea ◽  
D. Gutzke ◽  
J. Lau ◽  
G. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Management Strategies ◽  
Longissimus Muscle ◽  
Negative Effects ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Beef Processing ◽  
Beef Carcasses ◽  
Processing Plants ◽  
Higher Temperature ◽  
Highly Correlated

Beef carcasses undergoing rapid pH fall while the loin muscle temperature is still high are described as heat-shortened, heat-toughened or ‘high rigor temperature’ carcasses, with subsequent negative effects on quality traits. The aim of the study was to quantify the occurrence of high rigor temperature in beef carcasses across Australia and to identify the causative factors. Data was collected over 4–5 days at each of seven beef processing plants from 1512 beef carcasses. The beef carcasses were from both grass- and grain-fed cattle ranging in days on grain feeding from 0 (grass-fed) to 350 days and the category of cattle ranged from veal to ox and cow. Data collected on the day of slaughter included the duration of electrical inputs at the immobiliser, electrical stimulation and hide puller, longissimus muscle pH and temperature decline, hot carcass weight and P8 fat depth. At grading, ultimate pH, eye muscle area, wetness of the loin surface and colour score were also collected. The temperature at pH 6 was calculated and if it was >35°C, the carcass was defined as ‘high rigor temperature’. Modelling of the data was conducted using GLMM and REML. The occurrence of high rigor temperature across all seven beef processing plants was 74.6% ranging from 56 to 94% between beef processing plants. Increasing days in the feedlot and heavier carcass weights were highly correlated and both caused an increase in the predicted temperature at pH 6 and in the % high rigor temperature (P < 0.05 for both). Longer duration of electrical inputs at the hide puller, fatter grass-fed cattle and fatter male (castrate) carcasses had a higher temperature at pH 6 and higher % high rigor temperature. Modelling showed that if the time to reach pH 6 in the longissimus muscle was 65 v. 105 min, the % high rigor temperature carcasses reduced from 98 to 19% in grain-fed cattle and 93 to 7% in grass-fed cattle. Higher plasma insulin levels at slaughter were associated with a higher temperature at pH 6 (rigor temperature) (P < 0.001). In conclusion, in order to reduce the incidence of high rigor temperature in grain-fed beef carcasses, methods for identifying high rigor temperature carcasses will be required and while some management strategies can be implemented now, others require further research.

scholarly journals Electrical stimulator voltage settings minimally influences beef longissimus muscle tenderness

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Travis S Arp ◽  
Emily Rice ◽  
Dale R Woerner ◽  
Kenichi Kathoh ◽  
Gary Smith ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Shear Force ◽  
Low Voltage ◽  
Carcass Quality ◽  
Longissimus Muscle ◽  
Beef Processing ◽  
Beef Carcasses ◽  
Muscle Tenderness ◽  
Muscle Ph ◽  
Processing Plants ◽  
Electrical Stimulator

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of differing electrical stimulation (ES) voltage levels on beef longissimus muscle (LM) tenderness, postmortem temperature, and pH decline, and carcass quality. Beef carcasses from three commercial beef processing plants (A, B, C) were exposed to three varying voltage levels: 1) control (no ES) 2) high ES (60-Hz for 17s each at 25, 35, 45, and 55 V) 3) low-ES (60-Hz for 17s each at 16, 20, 24, and 28 V). Ninety beef carcasses were selected from the three plants, and within a carcass, paired sides were randomly assigned to one of three ES treatments. The results indicated that ES affected (P &lt; 0.05) muscle pH at 3 h postmortem in two of the three plants. However, ES did not affect (P &gt; 0.05) pH at the time of grading (post rigor). Although the slice shear force (SSF) values were lower (P &lt; 0.05) for ES steaks compared to controls, it was not (P &lt; 0.05) influenced by the voltage levels. Variation in tenderness was observed among the plants (P &lt; 0.05), with Plant C having the toughest steaks, whereas Plant A and B exhibited similar (P &gt; 0.05) tenderness. Overall, the lack of difference in postmortem tenderness between high- and low-voltage settings indicated the ES-voltage minimally influenced tenderness.&nbsp;

A note on porcine skeletal muscle parameters and their possible use in early progeny testing

1975 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 93-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. C. Stickland ◽  
G. Goldspink
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Progeny Testing ◽  
Large White ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Fibre Density ◽  
Meat Content ◽  
Fibre Number ◽  
Highly Correlated ◽  
Total Muscle

SUMMARYAn ‘indicator muscle’ (m. flexor digiti V brevis) was removed in its entirety from several Large White and Landrace pigs of varying fat depth (measured over the eye-muscle area). The total muscle fibre number was measured in transverse sections for each muscle. Significant inverse relationships were found between this fibre number and fat depth measurements. These and other results suggest that fibre number is related to lean meat content. Fibre number was also shown to be highly correlated with fibre density and as thinner fibres (i.e. higher fibre density) are associated with more tender meat, fibre number may be associated with quality as well as quantity of meat.

Heritability of muscle score and genetic and phenotypic relationships with weight, fatness and eye muscle area in beef cattle

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (9) ◽  
pp. 1443 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. L. Robinson ◽  
L. M. Cafe ◽  
W. A. McKiernan
Keyword(s):  
Major Gene ◽  
Genetic Correlations ◽  
Breeding Value ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Beef Carcasses ◽  
Retail Meat ◽  
Genetic And Phenotypic Correlations ◽  
High Heritability ◽  
Increasing Demand

To assess the potential for genetic improvement to help meet the increasing demand for high-yielding beef carcasses, the heritability of muscle score (MS) plus genetic and phenotypic correlations with weight and fatness traits were estimated on 1856 yearlings and 2596 weaners born from 1992 to 2012 in a predominantly Angus herd divergently selected for High/Low MS. In 2005, after noting that some cattle were positive for the 821_del11 myostatin mutation that causes muscle hypertrophy, procedures were modified to create a third group (HighHet) of High animals with one copy of this major gene. This allowed the additive genetic effects of MS to be assessed, and also the effect of the 821_del11 mutation. MS traits were found to be highly heritable (h2 = 56–63%), with an extremely high estimated genetic correlation of 99% between weaning and yearling MS. Estimated genetic correlations of MS with rib eye muscle area (EMA) in weaners and yearlings adjusted for either age or weight were 53–56%. Genetic correlations of MS with other traits were relatively low: liveweight (yearlings 5%, weaners 20%), rump fat (yearlings –7%, weaners 11%), rib fat (yearlings –17%, weaners –3%). Apart from weaning liveweight, the estimated genetic correlations were not significantly different from zero. MS had smaller estimated genetic correlations with fatness and weight traits than EMA adjusted for age. For yearlings and weaners born from 2010 to 2012, large significant differences were evident in MS of High and Low calves (4.5-point difference for yearlings; 3.4 points for weaners, on a 15-point scale) and significant differences in EMA (yearlings 2.5, weaners 1.5 cm2). In addition, the 821_del11 mutation reduced fatness, increased MS by 1.5–1.9 points and increased EMA by 2.8–3.6 cm2. With high heritability, low correlations with weight and fatness in weaners/yearlings, plus other research (Cafe et al. 2012, 2014a) showing no detrimental effect on maternal productivity or meat quality, but improvements in dressing percent, retail meat yield, meat : bone ratio and feedlot feed efficiency, the development of an estimated breeding value for MS could help improve the efficiency and profitability of beef production.

Prediction of carcass composition in heavy-weight grass-fed and grain-fed beef cattle

1993 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-72 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Priyanto ◽  
E. R. Johnson ◽  
D. G. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Subcutaneous Fat ◽  
Carcass Composition ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Muscle Weight ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Heavy Weight ◽  
Beef Carcasses ◽  
Feeding Regimes ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Regression Slopes

AbstractThe effects of breed and feeding on the prediction of carcass fat and carcass muscle using rump ‘P8’ subcutaneous fat thickness were investigated in heavy-weight beef carcasses (277 to 512 kg). Hot side weight, eye muscle area and their combination added to fat thickness were evaluated as additional predictors. The predictions of carcass composition from grass-fed steers were validated on data from grain-fed steer carcasses. There were differences between breeds and feeding regimes in the level of tissue proportions at a given fat thickness, but no differences in regression slopes. Fat thickness alone was, therefore, not an accurate indicator of the proportions of side fat or side muscle in heavy-weight carcasses. In the grain-fed steers, the correlations between P8 and tissue proportions were relatively strong, and the addition of hot side weight and eye muscle area, alone or in combination, did not significantly improve the predictions. Conversely, in grass-fed steers where the relationships between carcass composition and fat thickness were weaker, the addition of hot side weight and eye muscle area made a significant contribution to prediction. In the predictions of tissue weights, hot side weight and eye muscle area when added to fat thickness, significantly contributed to the prediction of side muscle weight for both feeding systems. These three variables did not account for the observed differences between breeds or feeding regimes in the proportion or weight of fat, nor in the proportion of muscle; but they effectively eliminated these groups' differences in the estimation of muscle weight.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Antimicrobial Compounds on Surface Decontamination of Seven Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli and Salmonella Inoculated onto Fresh Beef†

2015 ◽  
Vol 78 (3) ◽  
pp. 503-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
NORASAK KALCHAYANAND ◽  
TERRANCE M. ARTHUR ◽  
JOSEPH M. BOSILEVAC ◽  
JOHN W. SCHMIDT ◽  
RONG WANG ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Sodium Chlorite ◽  
Antimicrobial Compounds ◽  
Beef Processing ◽  
Beef Carcasses ◽  
Processing Plants ◽  
Plate Counts ◽  
Inoculation Study ◽  
Antimicrobial Treatments

Several antimicrobial compounds have been used in commercial meat processing plants for decontamination of pathogens on beef carcasses, but there are many commercially available, novel antimicrobial compounds that may be more effective and suitable for use in beef processing pathogen-reduction programs. Sixty-four prerigor beef flanks (cutaneous trunci) were used in a study to determine whether hypobromous acid, neutral acidified sodium chlorite, and two citric acid–based antimicrobial compounds effectively reduce seven Shiga toxin–producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serogroups and Salmonella on the surface of fresh beef. Two cocktail mixtures were inoculated onto prerigor beef flank surfaces. Cocktail mixture 1 was composed of STEC serogroups O26, O103, O111, O145, and O157; and cocktail mixture 2 was composed of STEC serogroups O45, O121, and O157 and Salmonella. The inoculated fresh beef flanks were subjected to spray treatments with four antimicrobial compounds. Following antimicrobial treatments, both control and treated fresh beef samples were either enumerated immediately or were stored for 48 h at 4°C before enumeration. All four antimicrobial compounds caused 0.7- to 2.0-log reductions of STEC, Salmonella, aerobic plate counts, and Enterobacteriaceae. Results also indicated that the four antimicrobial compounds were as effective at reducing the six non-O157 STEC strains as they were at reducing E. coli O157:H7 on the surfaces of fresh beef. The recovery of all seven STEC strains and Salmonella in a low-inoculation study indicated that none of the four antimicrobial compounds eliminated all of the tested pathogens.

scholarly journals Seasonal Prevalence of Shiga Toxin–Producing Escherichia coli, Including O157:H7 and Non-O157 Serotypes, and Salmonella in Commercial Beef Processing Plants†

2003 ◽  
Vol 66 (11) ◽  
pp. 1978-1986 ◽  
Author(s):  
GENEVIEVE A. BARKOCY-GALLAGHER ◽  
TERRANCE M. ARTHUR ◽  
MILDRED RIVERA-BETANCOURT ◽  
XIANGWU NOU ◽  
STEVEN D. SHACKELFORD ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Shiga Toxin ◽  
Escherichia Coli O157 ◽  
Seasonal Prevalence ◽  
Fecal Samples ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Beef Processing ◽  
Beef Carcasses ◽  
Processing Plants ◽  
Antimicrobial Interventions

The seasonal prevalence of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella, non-O157 E. coli (STEC), and stx-harboring cells was monitored at three Midwestern fed-beef processing plants. Overall, E. coli O157:H7 was recovered from 5.9% of fecal samples, 60.6% of hide samples, and 26.7% of carcasses sampled before the preevisceration wash. This pathogen also was recovered from 1.2% (15 of 1,232) of carcasses sampled at chilling (postintervention) at approximate levels of &lt;3.0 cells per 100 cm2. In one case, the E. coli O157:H7 concentration dropped from ca. 1,100 cells per 320 cm2 at the preevisceration stage to a level that was undetectable on ca. 2,500 cm2 at the postintervention stage. The prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in feces peaked in the summer, whereas its prevalence on hide was high from the spring through the fall. Overall, Salmonella was recovered from 4.4, 71.0, and 12.7% of fecal, hide, and preevisceration carcass samples, respectively. Salmonella was recovered from one postintervention carcass (of 1,016 sampled). Salmonella prevalence peaked in feces in the summer and was highest on hide and preevisceration carcasses in the summer and the fall. Non-O157 STEC prevalence also appeared to vary by season, but the efficiency in the recovery of isolates from stx-positive samples ranged from 37.5 to 83.8% and could have influenced these results. Cells harboring stx genes were detected by PCR in 34.3, 92.0, 96.6, and 16.2% of fecal, hide, preevisceration carcass, and postintervention carcass samples, respectively. The approximate level of non-O157 STEC and stx-harboring cells on postintervention carcasses was ≥3.0 cells per 100 cm2 for only 8 of 199 carcasses (4.0%). Overall, the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella, and non-O157 STEC varied by season, was higher on hides than in feces, and decreased dramatically, along with pathogen levels, during processing and during the application of antimicrobial interventions. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the current interventions used by the industry and highlight the significance of hides as a major source of pathogens on beef carcasses.

The effect of preweaning growth restriction on the feed intake and efficiency of cattle on a grain-based diet before slaughter

2004 ◽  
Vol 44 (5) ◽  
pp. 483 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. W. Hennessy ◽  
P. F. Arthur
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Carcass Traits ◽  
Feed Conversion ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Efficiency Measures ◽  
Highly Correlated

Records on 78 steers and heifers were used to determine relationships among different measures of growth, feed efficiency and carcass traits, and to evaluate the effects of 2 preweaning growth rates on growth and efficiency in a feedlot. The preweaning growth rates [g/day; 871 (high) or 466 (low)] were imposed on the steers and heifers for 115 days before they were weaned at a mean age of 220 days. They were 'backgrounded' for 7 months on high quality pastures before finishing on grain-based diets in a feedlot for 85 days. The cattle were then slaughtered and carcass measurements recorded. Estimates were made on 10 growth and feed efficiency indices during the feedlot, and 5 carcass traits were assessed at slaughter. Of the indices, the Kleiber ratio which does not require measurement of feed intake (r = 0.98), was highly correlated with relative growth rate (RGR), as was feed conversion ratio (FCR, r = –0.82), which includes feed intake in the calculation. Residual feed intake, calculated using the expected feed intake estimated from the dataset (RFIREG), was correlated (r = 0.62) with RFI calculated from Australian feeding standards (RFISCA), and with FCR (r = 0.45). FCR was not correlated with either carcass rib or hot P8 fat depths but was significantly correlated with carcass weight (0.39), dressing percentage (0.41) and eye muscle area (0.33). RFIREG was not correlated with any of the 5 carcass traits. Whilst the average daily gain in the feedlot was similar between the 2 preweaning groups (1.544 kg/day), the low group was significantly (P<0.05) lighter at feedlot entry (323 v. 376 kg). Daily feed intake was lower (P<0.01) in the low group (10.9 v. 11.8 kg) such that the FCR tended to be lower (P<0.10) relative to the high group. Differences between the preweaning treatment groups were not significant for the other measures of feed efficiency. The results indicate that early life nutritional restriction has some influence on FCR in the feedlot, but little effect on those feed efficiency measures, such as RFI, that account for energy required for both maintenance of liveweight and growth.

A note on the measurement of ‘eye’ muscle area in beef carcasses

1959 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 97-101 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. E. Bodwell ◽  
G. Harrington ◽  
R. W. Pomeroy
Keyword(s):  
Cross Section ◽  
Standard Error ◽  
Area Measurement ◽  
Regression Equations ◽  
Linear Measurements ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Eye Muscle ◽  
Beef Carcasses ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Experimental Use

1. The area of eye muscle cross-section of beef carcasses may be accurately measured by tracing the boundary and measuring the tracing with a planimeter. Taking a single area measurement from each of duplicate tracings increases the accuracy by some 30%. If a planimeter is not available, the area may be estimated by superimposing a grid on the tracing and counting squares; although this method is some 25% less accurate than the planimeter method it is sufficiently repeatable for experimental use.2. Area estimated by combinations of linear measurements is highly repeatable, but predicts true area with insufficient accuracy for experimental use. The standard error of prediction is about 7% of the mean area. Regression equations relating planimeter area and combinations of measurements for various cuts and animals are given.

scholarly journals PSIV-B-28 Late-Breaking: Performance and carcass quality of Nelore bull’s progenies with contrasting traits for precocity, growth and muscularity

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 319-321
Author(s):  
Taiane S Martins ◽  
Juliana Silva ◽  
Lenise Mueller ◽  
Tamyres Amorim ◽  
Annelise Aila G Lobo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Efficiency ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Backfat Thickness ◽  
Longissimus Muscle ◽  
Muscle Area ◽  
Final Body Weight ◽  
Fat Thickness ◽  
Nelore Cattle ◽  
Daily Gain

Abstract The goal of this study was to evaluate the performance and the carcass traits of Nelore cattle progenies from bulls selected by contrasting traits for precocity, growth and muscularity, through the Expected Progeny Difference (EPD). One hundred and five Nelore bulls (initial weight of 350kg±15kg) and 20 months of age were confined and fed with same diet (73% of concentrate). Thirty-two animals were selected to create the contrasting groups for precocity, growth and muscularity (16 animals assigned as a low EPD group - LEPD and 16 animals assigned as a high EPD group - HEPD), based on the EPD of their parents. The ribeye area and backfat thickness were performed by ultrasonography of 12–13th rib fat thickness and longissimus muscle area (LMA), as well as rump fat thickness (RF) measurements. Animals were harvested after 100 days and during the deboning, meat cuts were weight for cutting yield. The animals selected for the HEPD group had greater average daily gain (P = 0.006), which can be explained by the higher feed intake (P = 0.006). However, there are no difference between groups for the final body weight (P = 0.254) and feed efficiency (P = 0.715). The LEPD group presented higher dressing percentage (P = 0.028). Although the groups evaluated did not presented difference in LMA (P = 0.329) and weight of longissimus muscle (P = 0.480), the weight of rump displayed heaviest in the HEPD (P = 0.037). There was no difference between groups for RF (P = 0.086). Nevertheless, backfat thickness was higher in HEPD group (P = 0.006). The present study indicates that Nelore cattle progenies, with parents displaying higher potential for precocity, growth, and muscularity, show greater backfat thickness and weightiest of rump than the other genetic backgrounds. Thanks to FAPESP for the scholarship (Grant # 2017/02349–1).

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