IMPLANT AND BIOLOGICAL TYPE EFFECTS ON BEEF CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS

Beef carcasses (n = 1574) were evaluated at Excel Corp. beef slaughter ing facility, Friona, Texas, to determine the effects of implants (dou ble Revalor and Ralgro/Revalor) and biological type (Continental Europ ean, Continental European X British and British) on carcass characteri stics. No differences (P > 0.05) were found between implants for marbl ing score, USDA quality grade, adjusted preliminary yield grade, perce ntage kidney, pelvic and heart fat, or carcass weight. Carcasses from cattle implanted with double Revalor had a larger (P < 0.05) ribeye ar ea and a lower USDA yield grade. No differences were found among breed types for marbling score, USDA quality grade, preliminary yield gr ad e, ribeye area or USDA yield grade (P > 0.05). Steers classed as conti nental European had the lowest adjusted preliminary yield grade and pe rcentage kidney, pelvic and heart fat, the heaviest carcasses and were most muscular as determined by the Excel muscle score (P < 0.05).