Determining The Yields and Percentages of Retail Cuts From Holstein Bull Carcasses Marketed in South Marmara Region of Turkey

The objective of this study was to determine further-processing characteristics and share of valuable cuts in Holstein carcasses marketed in South Marmara Region of Turkey. The data-set collected from a commercial slaughterhouse included observations of 311 purebred Holstein bulls. The mean values were determined 510.27±5.11 kg for pre-slaughter weight, 273.07±2.75 kg for hot carcass weight and 53.57±0.15 % for hot carcass dressing. Mean cold-carcass weight was 266.34±2.67 kg and mean carcass bone content was 19.05±0.09 %. In addition, the means for valuable cuts including rib, roast, sirloin, cutlet and strip loin were 17.17±0.19 kg, 3.35±0.05, 2.74±0.04 kg, 8.74±0.11 kg and 4.65±0.06 kg, respectively. Total yield of valuable retail cuts were 36.66±0.42 kg with the percentage of 13.74±0.06 % and the processing loss was 8.19±0.11 kg with the percentage of 3.11±0.04 %. Statistical analysis revealed that highly significant differences were observed between slaughter age groups. Moreover, significant correlations were found between pre-slaughter / carcass weights and all carcass traits analyzed. The present results may be useful for an effective evaluation of carcass characteristics in beef market of Turkey