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Feedlot cattle (n = 50) were ultrasounded to compare ultrasound vs carcass measurements, and to test the hypothesis that the left and right side of an individual animal are not statistically different during the Ultrasound Guidelines Council (UGC) Carcass Certification live animal exam at West Texas A&M University (WTAMU). Cattle (steers, heifers and bulls) represented a variation in breed types. A UGC certified technician scanned the cattle at the WTAMU Research Feedlot on their right side. The following day, the same technician scanned animals on the left side. Carcass ultrasound measurements included 12-13th ribeye area (REAU), subcutaneous fat thickness (FTU), intramuscular fat percentage (IMFU) and rump fat thickness (RFU). Carcass measures included 12-13th ribeye area (REAC) and fat thickness (FTC) along with marbling score (MS). Correlations between REAC and REAU were 0.83 for the left side and 0.80 for the right side, correlations between REAC left vs right were 0.94 and REAU left vs right were 0.77 (P < 0.01). A minor difference (2.27 cm2) in left vs right sides of REAC (P = 0.04) was detected. A larger difference (4.03 cm2) in left vs right REAU (P < 0.01) was noted; REAC right vs REAU right also differed (P < 0.01) by 8.13 cm2 with REAU being larger. No differences were observed between FTC left vs right (P = 0.26), FTU left vs right (P = 0.94) or FTC right vs FTU right (P = 0.15). A difference was detected between the FTC left and FTU left (P = 0.01). Correlations between REAU/REAC, FTU/FTC, and IMFU/IMFC were all significant (P < 0.05). These data present strong correlations between ultrasound and carcass traits, as well as the point that one side of an animal should be scanned as opposed to another side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association of lung abnormalities with carcass performance was evaluated on data from 60,843 carcasses housed in the West Texas A&M University Beef Carcass Research Center database collected from 2010 to 2021 to quantify the relationship of lung health and carcass performance. Lung outcomes were scored as severity of consolidation (N = Normal and free of consolidation, 1 = 5 to 15% consolidation, 2 = 15 to 50% consolidation, 3 = >50% consolidation) and presence of fibrin tags (M = Minor fibrin, E = Extensive fibrin). Lung consolidation had a strong and detrimental effect (P < 0.01) on hot carcass weight, with lung scores of 1, 2, and 3 resulting in 4.2, 13.3, and 29.9 kg less carcass weight compared with carcasses with normal lungs. Minor and extensive fibrin tags (3.5 kg and 7.1 kg), independent of consolidation, resulted in lighter carcasses (P < 0.01) compared with those with normal lungs. Lung score did not have an effect on marbling score. Both lung tissue consolidation and fibrin tags effected 12th rib fat thickness; lung consolidation (-0.09 to -0.21 cm) and fibrin tags (-0.14 to -0.19 cm) resulted in and less (P < 0.01) 12th rib fat thickness compared with carcasses with normal lungs. Similarly, LM area was reduced (P < 0.01) in carcasses with lung consolidation (-1.5 to -5.5 cm2) or presence of fibrin tags (-2.3 to -2.7 cm2) compared with carcasses with normal lungs. Additionally, severity of lung consolidation and presence of fibrin tags reduced (P < 0.01) calculated yield grade; lung consolidation and fibrin tags resulted in a 0.08 to 0.20 and 0.09 to 0.13 reduction in overall yield grade. These data indicate that lung health is an important factor that impacts carcass performance, particularly carcass weight and yield grade parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]