Required Carcass Data Collection for Use in Genetic Evaluations

The primary goal of all genetic evaluation programs should be determining unbiased values of genetic merit for each parent tested. Unfortunately, economic hurdles may prevent this from being totally possible in carcass merit evaluations. However, below are guidelines that may minimize the effect of some of these hurdles.

A proper contemporary group must be identified at harvest with a minimum of 3 progeny of the same sex from each sire, harvested on the same date, with progeny of at least 2 reference sires also in the contemporary group.

Producers should identify the following information on all animals prior to harvest:

    1. Sire: registration number, herd ID and birthdate.
    2. Dam: registration number, herd ID, and birthdate. (No registration number needed 
       if a commercial dam)
    3. Calf: registration number, herd ID, birthdate, sex, birthweight, weaning weight 
       and yearling weight. (No registration number needed if a commercial calf)

All of the recommended carcass data collection traits must be identified at harvest.

This includes:

    1) animal ID

    2) harvest date

    3) packing plant name and location

    4) carcass ID

    5) hot carcass weight

    6) marbling score

    7) carcass maturity

    8) 12th fat thickness

    9) ribeye area

    10) percent pelvic, heart and kidney fat
    
    11) final calculated yield grade

    12) quality grade.

Ultrasound Data on Market Steers

Ultrasound data may be collected on fed cattle (steers and/or heifers) just before harvest time. The ultrasound data should be interpreted by an approved and authorized Ultrasound Guidelines Council lab. Ultrasound data required includes:

1. Animal ID

2. Scan date - animals must be scanned in the age window accepted by your specific breed association

3. Contemporary group, test type, sex, diet concentration level

4. Ultrasound scan weight taken within 7 days of scanning

5. Rib fat

6. Rump fat

7. Percent intramuscular fat

8. Ribeye area

Note: Most breed association require weaning weight submission before processing ultrasound data.