How to Increase Carcass Yield? Ways to Maximize Profitability in Fattening

How to Increase Carcass Yield? Ways to Maximize Profitability in Fattening

Success in beef cattle farming is directly related not only to the live weight gain of animals but also to how much of this live weight is converted into valuable meat. This is where the concept of **carcass yield** becomes highly important. Carcass yield refers to the ratio of the carcass weight obtained to the live weight of the slaughtered animal and is a factor that directly affects the profitability of fattening operations. So, what strategies should be applied to increase carcass yield? In this article, we will examine in detail the factors affecting carcass yield and the practices you can implement to increase it.

What is Carcass Yield and Why is it Important?

**Carcass yield (dressing percentage)** is the ratio of the hot or cold carcass weight obtained after slaughter to the animal's fasted live weight before slaughter. It is usually expressed as a percentage (%). For example, if a 500 kg live weight animal yields 275 kg of carcass, the carcass yield is 55% (275 kg / 500 kg * 100). The higher the carcass yield, the greater the amount of saleable meat, thus increasing the farm's income.

Main Factors Affecting Carcass Yield

Carcass yield is influenced by many factors. Understanding and managing these factors is critical for optimizing yield.

1. Breed and Genetic Potential:

The genetic makeup of the animal directly affects carcass yield. Beef breeds (such as Charolais, Limousin, Belgian Blue) or crossbreds with good meat yield potential generally have a higher carcass yield than dairy breeds (like Jersey). These breeds tend to develop less fat and more muscle mass.

2. Age and Live Weight:

Generally, as animals age and their live weight increases, carcass yield tends to rise. This is because as the animal grows, the content of the digestive system (rumen fill) decreases relative to carcass weight, and muscle and fat tissue increase. However, excessive fatness can increase with age, which may be undesirable.

3. Sex:

Sex can also affect yield. Generally, female animals and castrated male animals may yield higher percentages than intact male animals of the same live weight. This is related to hide weight and the level of fatness in the carcass.

4. Feeding and Ration Quality:

Nutrition is one of the most important and controllable ways to increase carcass yield.

   
• High-Energy Rations: Especially in the late fattening period, high-energy (grain-heavy) rations increase muscle and fat tissue deposition, thereby increasing carcass yield. Concentrate-heavy feeding generally results in higher yields than forage-heavy feeding.
   
• Protein Level: Sufficient and quality protein intake is essential for muscle development. A balanced protein intake supports both live weight gain and carcass yield.
   
• Pre-Slaughter Feeding Strategies: Withholding feed from animals 12-24 hours before slaughter (fasting period) helps empty the digestive system, positively affecting carcass weight and increasing yield. However, this period should not be too long; otherwise, live weight loss may occur.
 

5. Pre-Slaughter Stress and Transport:

Stress experienced during transport and before slaughter (excessive heat, overcrowding, poor handling) can lead to live weight loss (shrinkage) and a decrease in meat quality in animals. This indirectly affects carcass yield. It is important to rest animals well and keep them stress-free before slaughter.

6. Carcass Fatness:

To some extent, fatness increases carcass yield (especially by reducing shrinkage of the carcass after cooling). However, excessive fatness may be undesirable to consumers and can reduce meat quality. An optimal level of fatness should be aimed for.

Practices to Increase Carcass Yield

You can implement the following strategies to increase carcass yield in your operation:

   
1. Proper Breed Selection: Choose beef or dual-purpose breeds with high carcass yield that are best suited for your fattening purpose. High genetic potential animals can be obtained through crossbreeding programs.
   
2. Balanced and Intensive Feeding: Especially in the later stages of the fattening period, focus on high-quality and concentrated feeds to meet the animals' energy needs. Ensure the ration is balanced in terms of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Seek support from an animal nutrition specialist.
   
3. Optimum Slaughter Weight: Determine the most appropriate slaughter weight based on the animals' genetic potential and market demand. Slaughtering too early leads to low yield, while slaughtering too late means excessive fatness and increased feed costs.
   
4. Pre-Slaughter Fasting and Rest: Withhold feed from animals 12-24 hours before sending them to slaughter and provide access to water. During this period, allowing animals to rest in a calm and stress-free environment helps empty their digestive systems and increases yield.
   
5. Health Management: Diseases and parasites reduce feed utilization in animals, leading to live weight loss and thus low yield. Maintain animal health through regular veterinary check-ups, vaccinations, and parasite control.
   
6. Environmental Conditions: Provide comfortable and hygienic housing conditions that minimize stress. Extreme heat or cold can negatively affect feed intake and animal performance.
   
7. Slaughter Techniques: The application of correct and hygienic slaughter techniques at the abattoir preserves carcass integrity and reduces wastage. Proper bleeding and skinning procedures also affect yield.
 

Conclusion

Carcass yield is one of the key indicators of profitability in beef cattle farming. Genetic selection, proper feeding strategies, appropriate slaughter age and weight, good pre-slaughter management, and animal welfare are all factors that must be considered holistically to increase carcass yield. By paying attention to these principles, you can significantly increase the efficiency and thus the income of your operation. Remember that every detail is important for successful fattening!