This study was conducted to evaluate the use of ultrasound measurements to predict carcass composition of 115 steers (Nellore, ½ Angus x Nellore, ½ Simental x Nellore, and Canchim) with different frame sizes (small and large) and average initial body weight of 329 kg. After 120 days in a feedlot, animals were weighed followed by ultrasound measurements of rib eye area (RA) and fat thickness (FT). Animals were slaughtered and measurements of carcass RA and FT, weights of hindquarter, forequarter, and commercial cuts, and determination of body composition were done. In addition, yields of carcass, commercial cuts, and hindquarter were calculated and no significant differences between frame sizes were found for these variables. Ultrasound measurements were not precise predicting carcass muscle content and yields of commercial cuts in this trial. However, determination coefficients from regression equations of carcass composition using ultrasound were similar and sometimes higher (e.g. bone content) than those from regression equations of carcass composition, in which measurements were taken after slaughter. Therefore, ultrasound measurements can be used to predict carcass composition of beef cattle for some variables.
bone; fat; muscle; retail yield; yield grade
