Czech J. Anim. Sci., 2007, 52(12):430-436 | DOI: 10.17221/2333-CJAS

Use of computer image analysis for in vivo estimates of the carcass quality of bulls

P. Polák¹, T. Sakowski², E.N. Blanco Roa¹, J. Huba¹, E. Krupa¹, J. Tomka¹, D. Peškovičová¹, M. Oravcová¹, P. Strapák³

¹ Slovak Agricultural Research Centre - Research Institute of Animal Production, Nitra, Slovak Republic

² Institute of Genetics and Animal Breeding of the Polish Academy of Science, Jastrzębiec, Wólka Kosowska, Poland

³ Slovak Agricultural University, Nitra, Slovak Republic

The aims of the paper were to construct models for the estimation of carcass quality by means of computer image analysis and to verify computer photometry as an in vivo method of carcass quality prediction. Results of photometric measurements and carcass quality of 118 Slovak Pied bulls slaughtered at the age of 15 to 18 months were analysed. Nine length dimensions and four area dimensions were measured on the images of the top, left and rear view of each animal. Hot carcass weight (HCW), weight of meat in carcass (WMC) and weight of meat in valuable cuts (WMVC) were obtained after slaughter treatment and carcass dissection. HCW, WMC and WMVC revealed a maximum correlation with the top-view body area (r = 0.54-0.60) and thurl width (r = 0.58-0.60). Stepwise regression was applied to construct linear regression equations for HCW, WMC and WMVC in two alternatives using photometrical dimensions with and without weight before slaughter (WBS). R² in an alternative without WBS were lower (R² = 0.47-0.55); however R² in an alternative with weight before slaughter were higher and highly significant (R² = 0.83-0.92). In both alternatives, the equation for HCW had the highest R² and the equation for WMVC had the lowest R². Equations using photometric dimensions and WBS are suitable to estimate HCW, WMC and WMVC without detailed dissection.

Keywords: cattle; carcass quality; computer image analysis; Slovak Pied breed

Published: December 31, 2007  Show citation