Evaluation of Cattle's Dressing Percentage and Meat Yield in Latvia

Abstract

The article presents results of study of main factors, which affecting quality of cattle carcass, where quality is defined as carcass grading or classification (class, category, fat cover) result, dressing percentage and meat yield. The classification result is comprised of cattle sex, age and fatness and muscle development - conformation evaluation, additionally to these factors also animal's breed or crossbreed and weight are taken into account. The paper shows analysis of bovine animals dressing percentage, where data acquired by trial method, obtaining dressing percentage of 1,228 carcasses according to cattle population and classification results. The anatomical dissection for obtaining the meat yield and meat yield ratio was done for cattle carcasses (n=118) of different classes and categories. The data were analyzed, using statistical data processing and factorial regression analysis. It was established that the fat class of cattle carcass has the most significant impact on the meat yield and can be considered statistically proven; and dressing percentage and meat yield ratio for male (categories A, B and C) bovine animals is higher than for female (categories D and E) animals. The statistical model for prediction of meat yield is presented.