Dual-component video image analysis system (VIASCAN) as a predictor of beef carcass red meat yield percentage and for augmenting application of USDA yield grades

An improved ability to quantify differences in the fabrication yields of be ef carcasses would facilitate the application of value-based marketing. Thi s study was conducted to evaluate the ability of the Dual-Component Austral ian VIASCAN to I) predict fabricated beef subprimal yields as a percentage of carcass weight at each of three fat-trim levels and 2) augment USDA yiel d grading, thereby improving accuracy of grade placement. Steer and heifer carcasses (n = 240) were evaluated using VIASCAN, as well as by USDA expert and online graders, before fabrication of carcasses to each of three fat-t rim levels. Expert yield grade (YG), online YG, VIASCAN estimates, and VLAS CAN estimated ribeye area used to augment actual and expert grader estimate s of the remaining YG factors (adjusted fat thickness, percentage of kidney -pelvic-heart fat, and hot carcass weight), respectively, 1) accounted for 51, 37, 46, and 55% of the variation in fabricated yields of commodity-trim med subprimals, 2) accounted for 74, 54, 66, and 75% of the variation in fa bricated yields of closely trimmed subprimals, and 3) accounted for 74, 54, 71, and 75% of the variation in fabricated yields of very closely trimmed subprimals. The VLASCAN system predicted fabrication yields more accurately than current online yield grading and, when certain VIASCAN-measured trait s were combined with some USDA yield grade factors in an augmentation syste m, the accuracy of cutability prediction was improved, at packing plant Lin e speeds, to a level matching that of expert graders applying grades at a c omfortable rate.