Relationships among Live and Carcass Characteristics of Selected Slaughter Steers

In this study of 674 steers at the International Livestock Exposition in 1956-57-58 no live animal measurements were significantly correlated with marbling in the beef carcass. The following live animal measurements were significantly negatively correlated with fat cover at the 12th rib: width between the eyes, width of muzzle, circumference of round and circumference of cannon. This indicates that broad-headed, heavy-boned cattle with large rounds are desirable as such animals tend to have less fat and more lean. Muscling score, circumference of round and circumference of cannon showed a significant positive correlation with area of loin eye. Dressing percent increases as marbling, fat cover and area of loin eye increase. The marbling increases with fat cover, whereas area of loin eye decreases as fat cover at the 12th rib increases.