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Biomedical subjects

J W Savell

Publications and source records attributed to J W Savell.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Beef customer satisfaction: cooking method and degree of doneness effects on the top sirloin steak.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the consumer-controlled factors of cooking method and degree of doneness on Top Choice, Low Choice, High Select, and Low Select top sirloin steaks. The in-home product test was conducted in Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Consumers (n = 2,212) evaluated each top sirloin steak for overall like (OLIKE), tenderness (TEND), juiciness (JUIC), flavor desirability (DFLAV), and flavor intensity (IFLAV) using 23-point hedonic scales. Top sirloin steaks, regardless of city, were consistently cooked to well done or higher degrees of doneness. Dry-heat methods such as outdoor grilling, broiling, and indoor grilling were the most frequent cooking methods used. Four significant interactions existed for OLIKE: USDA quality grade x cooking method (P = .02), city x cooking method (P = .0001), city x degree of doneness (P = .01), and cooking method x degree of doneness (P = .009). Greater differences were found between cooking methods within USDA quality grade than between USDA quality grades within cooking method. Consumers in Houston rated steaks cooked by outdoor grilling higher than those from the other cities, and steaks cooked by indoor grilling were rated the highest among all cooking methods by consumers in Chicago. In Chicago, steaks cooked to more advanced degrees of doneness tended to receive higher ratings, but few differences between degrees of doneness in the other three cities were detected. For outdoor grilling, broiling, and pan-frying, the trend was for OLIKE ratings to decline as degree of doneness increased. The lowest customer satisfaction ratings tended to be given to top sirloin steaks cooked to more advanced degrees of doneness, and consumers most frequently cooked steaks to at least the well done stage. Consumer information programs or the development of postmortem techniques that would ensure acceptable palatability of top sirloin steaks may need to be developed.

Animals↗

Beef customer satisfaction: cooking method and degree of doneness effects on the top round steak.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the consumer-controlled factors of cooking method and degree of doneness on Top Choice, Low Choice, High Select, and Low Select top round steaks. The in-home product test was conducted in Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. Consumers (n = 2,212) evaluated each top round steak for overall like (OLIKE), tenderness (TEND), juiciness (JUIC), flavor desirability (DFLAV), and flavor intensity (IFLAV) using 23-point hedonic scales. Stir-frying, braising, and simmering and stewing consistently produced higher consumer attribute ratings. There were clear OLIKE rating differences (P = .0001) for top round steaks among the four cities. The highest ratings were given by consumers in Houston, and the lowest ratings were given by consumers in Philadelphia (P < .05). There were two interactions for OLIKE: USDA quality grade x degree of doneness (P = .002) and degree of doneness x cooking method (P = .02). Higher ratings generally were given to steaks cooked to medium rare or less or to very well degrees of doneness. Stir-frying, braising, and simmering and stewing were preferred at lower degrees of doneness. Customer satisfaction with the top round steak is very dependent on how it is cooked and by whom it is consumed.

Animals↗

Predicting carcass composition of beef cattle using ultrasound technology.

We evaluated 20 slaughtered cattle with ultrasound before hide removal to predict fat thickness and ribeye area at the 12th rib for possible use in carcass composition prediction. Carcasses were fabricated into boneless subprimals that were trimmed progressively from 2.54 to 1.27 to .64 cm maximum fat trim levels. Stepwise regression was used to indicate the relative importance of variables in a model designed to estimate the percentage of boneless subprimals from the carcass at different external fat trim levels. Variables included those obtained on the slaughter floor (ultrasound fat thickness and ribeye area; estimated percentage of kidney, pelvic, and heart [KPH] fat; and warm carcass weight) and those obtained from carcasses following 24 h in the chill cooler (actual fat thickness, actual ribeye area, estimated percentage of KPH fat, warm carcass weight, and marbling score). At all different subprimal trim levels, percentage KPH was the first variable to enter the model. In the models using measures taken on the slaughter floor, ultrasound fat thickness was the only other variable to enter the model. Ultrasound fat thickness increased R2 and decreased residual standard deviation (RSD) in models predicting subprimals at 2.54-cm maximum fat trim; however, at 1.27- and .64-cm trim levels, R2 and RSD increased. Models using the same two variables (except actual fat instead of ultrasound) in the cooler were similar to those using data from the slaughter floor. However, as more cooler measurement variables entered the models, R2 increased and RSD decreased, explaining a greater amount of the variation in the equation. Ultrasonic evaluation on the slaughter floor may be of limited application compared with the greater accuracy found in chilled carcass assessment.

Animals↗

Using current on-line carcass evaluation parameters to estimate boneless and bone-in pork carcass yield as influenced by trim level.

The objective of this study was to develop prediction equations for estimating proportional carcass yield to a variety of external trim levels and bone-in and boneless pork primal cuts. Two hundred pork carcasses were selected from six U.S. pork processing plants and represented USDA carcass grades (25% USDA #1, 36% USDA #2, 25% USDA #3, and 14% USDA #4). Carcasses were measured (prerigor and after a 24 h chill) for fat and muscle depth at the last rib (LR) and between the third and fourth from last rib (TH) with a Hennessy optical grading probe (OGP). Carcasses were shipped to Texas A&M University, where one was randomly assigned for fabrication. Selected sides were fabricated to four lean cuts (ham, loin, Boston butt, and picnic shoulder) then fabricated progressively into bone-in (BI) and boneless (BL) four lean cuts (FLC) trimmed to .64, .32, and 0 cm of s.c. fat, and BL 0 cm trim, seam fat removed, four lean cuts (BLS-OFLC). Total dissected carcass lean was used to calculate the percentage of total carcass lean (PLEAN). Lean tissue subsamples were collected for chemical fat-free analysis and percentage carcass fat-free lean (FFLEAN) was determined. Longissimus muscle area and fat depth also were collected at the 10th and 11th rib interface during fabrication. Regression equations were developed from linear carcass and OGP measurements predicting FLC of each fabrication point. Loin muscle and fat depths from the OPG obtained on warm, prerigor carcasses at the TH interface were more accurate predictors of fabrication end points than warm carcass probe depth obtained at the last rib or either of the chilled carcass probe sites (probed at TH or LR). Fat and loin muscle depth obtained via OGP explained 46.7, 52.6, and 57.1% (residual mean square error [RMSE] = 3.30, 3.19, and 3.04%) of the variation in the percentage of BI-FLC trimmed to .64, .32, and 0 cm of s.c. fat, respectively, and 49.0, 53.9, and 60.7% (RMSE = 2.91, 2.81, and 2.69%) of the variation in the percentage of BL-FLC trimmed to .64, .32, and 0 cm of s.c. fat, respectively. Fat and loin muscle depth from warm carcass OGP probes at the TH interface accounted for 62.4 and 63.5% (RMSE = 3.38 and 3.27%) of the variation in PLEAN and FFLEAN, respectively. These equations provide an opportunity to estimate pork carcass yield for a variety of procurement end point equations using existing on-line techniques.

Animals↗

Decontamination of beef carcass surface tissue by steam vacuuming alone and combined with hot water and lactic acid sprays.

Hot beef carcass surface regions (outside round, brisket, and clod) contaminated with feces spread over a 5-cm2 (1-in2) area were cleaned using a steam-vacuum spot-cleaning system alone or combined with subsequent sanitizing treatments of hot water (95 degrees C at the nozzle), or warm (55 degrees C) 2% lactic acid spray, or combinations of these two sanitizing methods. These treatments were compared for effectiveness in reducing aerobic plate counts (APC) and counts of Enterobacteriaceae, total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, and Escherichia coli. All treatments significantly reduced the numbers of each group of bacteria on beef carcass surfaces. However, reductions obtained by steam vacuuming were significantly smaller than those obtained by a combination of steam vacuuming with any sanitizing treatment. No differences in bacterial reductions were observed between different carcass surface regions. Steam vacuuming reduced the number of different indicator organisms tested by ca. 3.0 log cycles but also spread the bacterial contamination to areas of the carcass surface adjacent to the contaminated sites. This relocated contamination after steam vacuuming was most effectively reduced by spraying with hot water and then lactic acid. This combined treatment consistently reduced the numbers of Enterobacteriaceae, total and thermotolerant coliforms, and E. coli to undetectable levels (<1.0 log10 CFU/cm2) on areas outside the initial 5-cm2 inoculated areas.

Abattoirs↗

Candidate gene analysis of GH1 for effects on growth and carcass composition of cattle.

We present an approach to evaluate the support for candidate genes as quantitative trait loci (QTLs) within the context of genome-wide map-based cloning strategies. To establish candidacy, a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone containing a putative candidate gene is physically assigned to an anchored linkage map to localise the gene relative to an identified QTL effect. Microsatellite loci derived from BAC clones containing an established candidate gene are integrated into the linkage map facilitating the evaluation by interval analysis of the statistical support for QTL identity. Permutation analysis is employed to determine experiment-wise statistical support. The approach is illustrated for the growth hormone 1 (GH1) gene and growth and carcass phenotypes in cattle. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primers which amplify a 441 bp fragment of GH1 were used to systematically screen a bovine BAC library comprising 60,000 clones and with a 95% probability of containing a single copy sequence. The presence of GH1 in BAC-110R2C3 was confirmed by sequence analysis of the PCR product from this clone and by the physical assignment of BAC110R2C3 to bovine chromosome 19 (BTA19) band 22 by fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH). Microsatellite KHGH1 was isolated from BAC110R2C3 and scored in 529 reciprocal backcross and F2 fullsib progeny from 41 resource families derived from Angus (Bos taurus) and Brahman (Bos indicus). The microsatellite KHGH1 was incorporated into a framework genetic map of BTA19 comprising 12 microsatellite loci, the erythrocyte antigen T and a GH1-TaqI restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP). Interval analysis localised effects of taurus vs. indicus alleles on subcutaneous fat and the percentage of either extractable fat from the Iongissimus dorsi muscle to the region of BTA19 harbouring GH1.

Animals↗

Pigs fed cholesterol neonatally have increased cerebrum cholesterol as young adults.

Sixty-eight female neonatal pigs selected for seven (Experiment 1) or eight (Experiment 2) generations for high (HG) or low (LG) plasma cholesterol were used to test the hypothesis that neonatal dietary cholesterol fed during the first 4 or 8 wk of postnatal life increases the cholesterol content of the cerebrum in young adulthood following free access to a high-fat (15%), high-cholesterol (0.5%) diet from 8 to 20 or 24 wk of age. Pigs were removed from their dams at 1 d of age and given free access to a sow-milk replacer diet containing 9.5% coconut fat and 0 or 0.5 % cholesterol. All pigs (except four HG and four LG pigs in Experiment 2, which were deprived of cholesterol throughout the study) were fed the high-fat, high-cholesterol diet from 8 wk to termination at 20 or 24 wk of age. Cerebrum weight and cholesterol concentration were higher in pigs fed cholesterol neonatally than in those deprived of cholesterol neonatally in both experiments, but weight and cholesterol concentration were unaffected by genetic line. Cholesterol concentrations in longissimus and semitendinosus muscles and in subcutaneous fat were unaffected by diet or genetic line. We conclude that dietary cholesterol deprivation during the first 4 to 8 wk of life in piglets is associated with lower cholesterol concentration and total content in the young adult cerebrum than in pigs supplemented with cholesterol in early life. These data support previous observations and suggest the possibility of a metabolic need for neonatal dietary cholesterol in normal brain development.

Animals↗

National Beef Quality Audit-1995: survey of producer-related defects and carcass quality and quantity attributes.

The National Beef Quality Audit-1995 was conducted to evaluate the progress of the beef industry since the time of the National Beef Quality Audit-1991 in improving quality and consistency of beef. Nine plants were assigned for auditing to Colorado State University, Oklahoma State University, and Texas A&M University. Personnel from each institution visited three of their nine plants twice, once in the spring/summer and once in the fall/winter. Data were collected on 50% of each lot on the slaughter floor and 10% in the cooler during a single day's production (one or two shifts, as appropriate). Of the cattle audited on the slaughter floor, 47.7% had no brands, 3.0% had a shoulder brand, 16.8% had a side brand, 38.7% had a butt brand, and 6.2% had brands in multiple locations. Data revealed that 51.6% of the carcasses had no bruises, 30.9% had one bruise, 12.8% had two bruises, 3.7% had three bruises, .9% had four bruises, and .1% had more than four bruises. In addition, 7.2% of the bruises evaluated were located on the round, 41.1% were on the loin, 20.8% on the rib, and 30.8% on the chuck. Livers, lungs, tripe, heads, tongues, and whole carcasses were condemned at rates of 22.2, 5.0, 11.0, .9, 3.8, and .1%, respectively. Mean USDA yield grade and quality grade traits were as follows: USDA yield grade, 2.8; carcass weight, 338.4 kg; adjusted fat thickness, 1.2 cm; longissimus muscle area, 81.9 cm2; kidney, pelvic, and heart fat, 2.1%; USDA quality grade, High Select; overall maturity, A60; and marbling score, Small-minus.

Animal Identification Systems↗

Relationship of feeder lamb frame size to feedlot gain and carcass yield and quality grades.

Small-(S), medium-(M), and large-(L) framed feeder lambs (n = 243 S, 247 M, and 245 L) were finished on five diets differing in amount of concentrate (C) and crude protein (CP): 1) 30% C, 12.5% CP; 2) 55% C, 12.5% CP; 3) 55% C, 14.5% CP; 4) 80% C, 12.5% CP; and 5) 80% C, 14.5% CP. Lambs were sampled over a wide weight range to establish relationships of frame size to daily gain and live weight at specific carcass grade end points. Increased frame size (F) was associated with more rapid gains during finishing, although differences in daily gain among L, M, and S lambs were not expressed consistently across all dietary treatments (D), as reflected by a significant F x D interaction for ADG. The rate at which external fat thickness increased as the lambs became heavier was not affected by frame size, sex, or diet. However, increased frame size was associated with lower (P < .05) values for fat thickness (FT), body wall thickness (BWT), yield grade (YG), and quality grade (QG) when comparisons were made at a constant slaughter weight. Similarly, later-maturing wether lambs were leaner and had lower YG and QG than ewes of the same weight. Dietary treatment had no effect on FT, BWT, and YG when treatment groups were compared at a constant live weight. Subclass regressions of YG on live weight were used to project the weights at which lambs of various frame sizes would be expected to produce YG-2 carcasses. Projected final weights for wethers were less than 50 kg for S, 50 to 55 kg for M, and greater than 55 kg for L. Projected final weights for ewe lambs were approximately 2.5 kg lower. Dietary treatment did not affect relationships among frame size, live weight, and YG. A grading/classification system for feeder lambs based on frame size could be developed to predict carcass grade end point.

Animal Feed↗

Beef customer satisfaction: role of cut, USDA quality grade, and city on in-home consumer ratings.

An in-home beef study evaluated consumer ratings from moderate-to-heavy beef users as influenced by cut (top loin, top sirloin, and top round steaks), USDA quality grade (Top Choice, Low Choice, High Select, and Low Select), and city (Chicago, Houston, Philadelphia, and San Francisco). Consumers (n = 2,212) evaluated each steak for overall like (OLIKE), tenderness (TEND), juiciness (JUIC), flavor desirability (DFLAV), and flavor intensity (IFLAV) using 23-point hedonic scales (23 = like extremely, extremely tender, extremely juicy, like extremely, and an extreme amount of flavor; 1 = dislike extremely, not at all tender, not at all juicy, dislike extremely, and no flavor at all). A USDA grade x cut interaction existed for OLIKE (P < .05). Consumers rated top loin steaks highest (P < .05) in OLIKE and ranked Top Choice highest of all steaks (P < .05). Within the top loin, consumers were not (P > .05) able to distinguish OLIKE differences between Low Choice and High Select or between High Select and Low Select. For OLIKE, top sirloin was rated intermediate (P < .05) of the three cuts, and consumers were not able to detect (P > .05) USDA quality grade differences. For OLIKE, top round was the lowest-rated (P < .05) cut. However, consumers preferred (OLIKE, P < .05) Top Choice to the other USDA grades offered. Grade and city interacted to affect TEND, JUIC, DFLAV, and IFLAV. The cut x city interaction was significant for all palatability attributes. Cut and city affected customer satisfaction more than USDA quality grade. Tenderness and flavor were important and equal contributors to OLIKE, r = .85 and r = .86, respectively.

Adult↗

Retail yield and fabrication times for veal as influenced by purchasing options and merchandising styles.

Twenty-nine selected styles of subprimals or sections of veal were obtained from a commercial facility to assist in the development of a support program for retailers. They were fabricated into bone-in or boneless retail cuts and associated components by trained meat cutters. Each style selected (n = 6) was used to generate mean retail yields and labor requirements, which were calculated from wholesale and retail weights and processing times. Means and standard errors for veal ribs consisting of five different styles (n = 30) concluded that style #2, 7-rib 4 (10 cm) x 4 (10 cm), had the lowest percentage of total retail yield (P < .05) owing to the greatest percentage of bone. Furthermore, rib style #2 required the longest total processing time (P < .05). Rib styles #3, 7-rib chop-ready, and #5, 6-rib chop ready, yielded the greatest percentage of total retail yield and also had the shortest total processing time (P < .05). Within veal loins, style #2, 4 (10 cm) x 4 (10 cm) loin kidney fat in, had the greatest percentage fat (P < .05). Loin styles #2 and #3, 4 (10 cm) x 4 (10 cm) loin special trimmed, generated more lean and fat trimmings and bone, resulting in lower percentage of total retail yields than loin style #1, 0 (0 cm) x 1 (2.5 cm) loin special trimmed (P < .05). Results indicated that bone-in subprimals and sections required more processing time if fabricated into a boneless end point. In addition, as the number of different retail cuts increased, processing times also increased.

Animals↗

Use of hot water for beef carcass decontamination.

Hot water treatment of beef carcass surfaces for reduction of Escherichia coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium, and various indicator organisms was studied using a model carcass spray cabinet. Paired hot carcass surface regions with different external fat characteristics (inside round, outside round, brisket, flank, and clod) were removed from carcasses immediately after the slaughter and dressing process. All cuts were inoculated with bovine feces containing 10(6)/g each of rifampicin-resistant E. coli O157:H7 and S. typhimurium, or with uninoculated bovine feces. Surfaces then were exposed to a carcass water wash or a water wash followed by hot water spray (95 degrees C). Counts of rifampicin-resistant Salmonella and E. coli or aerobic plate count (APC) and coliform counts were conducted before and after each treatment. All treatments significantly reduced levels of pathogens from the initial inoculation level of 5.0 log(10) CFU/cm2. Treatments including hot water sprays provided mean reductions of initial counts for E. coli O157:H7 and S. typhimurium of 3.7 and 3.8 log, APC reductions of 2.9 log, and coliform and thermotolerant coliform count reductions of 3.3 log. The efficacy of hot water treatments was affected by the carcass surface region, but not by delaying the treatment (30 min) after contaminating the surface. Verification of efficacy of hot water interventions used as critical control points in a hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) system may be possible using coliform counts.

Animals↗

Comparison of water wash, trimming, and combined hot water and lactic acid treatments for reducing bacteria of fecal origin on beef carcasses.

Cleaning treatments, such as high-pressure water wash at 35 degrees C or trim, alone and combined with sanitizing treatments, such as hot water (95 degrees C at the source), warm (55 degrees C) 2% lactic acid spray, and combinations of these two sanitizing methods, were compared for their effectiveness in reducing inoculated numbers (5.0 to 6.0 log CFU/cm2) of Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, aerobic plate counts, Enterobacteriaceae, total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, and generic E. coli on hot beef carcass surface areas in a model carcass spray cabinet. Log reductions in numbers of all tested organisms by water wash or trim alone were significantly smaller than the log reductions obtained by the different combined treatments. Regardless of the cleaning treatment (water wash or trim) or surface area, the range for mean log reductions by hot water was from 4.0 to > 4.8 log CFU/cm2, by lactic acid spray was from 4.6 to > 4.9 log CFU/cm2, by hot water followed by lactic acid spray was from 4.5 to > 4.9 log CFU/cm2, and by lactic acid spray followed by hot water was from 4.4 to > 4.6 log CFU/cm2, for S. typhimurium and E. coli O157:H7. Identical reductions were obtained for thermotolerant coliforms and generic E. coli. No differences in bacterial reductions were observed for different carcass surface regions. Water wash and trim treatments caused spreading of the contamination to other areas of the carcass surface while providing an overall reduction in fecal or pathogenic contamination on carcass surface areas. This relocated contamination after either water wash or trim was most effectively reduced by following with hot water and then lactic acid spray. This combined treatment yielded 0% positive samples for S. typhimurium, E. coli O157:H7, thermotolerant coliforms, and generic E. coli on areas outside the inoculated areas, whereas percent positive samples after applying other combined treatments ranged from 22 to 44% for S. typhimurium, 0 to 44% for E. coli O157:H7, and 11 to 33% for both thermotolerant coliforms and generic E. coli. From data collected in this study, it is possible to choose an effective, inexpensive treatment to reduce bacterial contamination on beef carcasses. In addition, the similar reduction rates of total coliforms, thermotolerant coliforms, or generic E. coli may be useful in identifying an indicator to verify the effectiveness of the selected treatment as a critical control point in a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point program.

Animals↗

Influence of wholesale lamb marketing options and merchandising styles on retail yield and fabrication time.

Lamb carcasses (n = 94) from five packing plants, selected to vary in weight class and fat thickness, were used to determine retail yield and labor requirements of wholesale lamb fabrication. Carcasses were allotted randomly according to weight class to be fabricated as whole carcasses (n = 20), three-piece boxes (n = 22), or subprimals (n = 52). Processing times (seconds) were recorded and wholesale and retail weights (kilograms) were obtained to calculate retail yield. Subprimals were fabricated into bone-in retail cuts or boneless or semi-boneless retail cuts. Retail yield for subprimal lamb legs decreased from 85.3 +/- .6% for bone-in to 68.0 +/- .7% for a completely boneless retail product. Correspondingly, processing times increased from 126.1 +/- 5.4 s to 542.0 +/- 19.2 s for bone-in and boneless legs, respectively. For all subprimals, retail yield percentage tended to decrease and total processing time increase as cuts were fabricated to boneless or semi-boneless end points compared with a bone-in end point. Percentage retail yield did not differ (P > .05) among whole carcass, three-piece box, and subprimal marketing methods. Total processing time was shorter for subprimals (P < .05) than for the other two marketing methods.

Animals↗

Live animal performance, carcass traits, and meat palatability of calf- and yearling-fed cloned steers.

Two groups of Brangus steers produced by nuclear transplantation cloning were used in parallel studies investigating the impact of calf- and yearling-feeding. The first group (n = 8) were fed as calves (CF; n = 4) or yearlings (YF; n = 4) to a constant age end point of 16 mo. The second group (n = 10) were fed as calves (CF; n = 5) or yearlings (YF; n = 5) to a constant live weight end point (530 kg). When slaughtered at the same age, CF and YF steers did not differ (P > .05) in feedlot ADG, but the CF steers were heavier and had higher dressing percentages, numeric yield grades, and quality grades (P < .05). Top loin steaks from the groups of steers did not differ (P > .05) in palatability traits. When fed to a constant live weight, the YF steers gained more rapidly (P < .05) and had lower (P < .05) numeric yield grades than did CF steers. Again CF steers had higher (P < .05) dressing percentages. There was no difference (P > .05) between the treatments in carcass quality grade or meat palatability characteristics. Thus, when finished to a constant weight end point, YF steers gained more rapidly, with no adverse effects on carcass quality grade or palatability traits; however, CF steers consistently produced higher dressing percentages, largely due to greater external fatness.

Aging↗

Consumer evaluation of beef of known categories of tenderness.

A study was conducted to determine consumer perceptions of beef top loin steaks of known shear force and to evaluate how buying trends were modified by the tenderness and price variations of these steaks. Strip loins were cut into a 2.54-cm-thick steaks, and the center steak from each strip loin was used to determine Warner-Bratzler shear force. The remaining steaks were placed into one of the following shear force categories based on that shear force and color-coded accordingly: 1) 2.27 to 3.58 kg (Red); 2) 4.08 to 5.40 kg (White); and 3) 5.90 to 7.21 kg (Blue). Randomly recruited consumers were allowed to evaluate steaks and then purchase steaks based on their findings. A $1.10/kg price difference was placed between each category. Results of the analysis indicated that consumers were able to differentiate between the three categories of tenderness (P < .05). In addition, consumers gave higher (P < .05) juiciness and flavor ratings to Red steaks than to Blue steaks. Overall satisfaction was higher (P < .05) for Red steaks than for the other two categories of steaks. The following percentages of steaks were purchased: 1) Red, 94.6%; 2) White, 3.6%; and 3) Blue, 1.8%. These results suggest that consumers could discern between categories of tenderness and were willing to pay a premium for improved tenderness.

Animals↗

Subprimal purchasing and merchandising decisions for pork: relationship to retail value.

To assess retail value and profitability, cutting test data were obtained in a simulated retail cutting room for boxed pork subprimals, bone-in loins (n = 180), boneless loins (n = 94), Boston butts (n = 148), fresh hams (n = 28), and boneless hams (n = 23). Processing times (seconds) and retail weights (kilograms) were used to determine relative value. Cutting style affected (P < .05) value differential (US$/subprimal) for bone-in and boneless loins. When cutting styles within subprimals were pooled, value differential was affected (P < .05) by purchasing specification for bone-in loins, boneless loins, Boston butts, and inside fresh hams. Processing bone-in loins to a boneless end point produced a greater (P < .05) value differential and percentage of gross margin than a bone-in retail end point. Bone-in loins fabricated to a boneless retail end point produced a greater (P < .05) value differential and percentage of gross margin than boneless loins fabricated to the same end point. The increase in retail value can be attributed to the increased number and weight of retail cuts produced from bone-in loins. The thick, boneless loin cutting style produced a greater (P < .05) value differential and percentage of gross margin as a result of a lower (P < .05) cost of fabrication and increased value of retail cuts than the thin, boneless cutting style. In general, boneless pork cutting methods were more profitable than bone-in cutting methods regardless of subprimal.

Animals↗

Subprimal purchasing and merchandising decisions for pork: relationship to retail yield and fabrication time.

Boxed pork was obtained to represent four different purchase specifications (different anatomical separation locations and[or] external fat trim levels) common in the pork industry to conduct a study of retail yields and labor requirements. Bone-in loins (n = 180), boneless loins (n = 94), and Boston butts (n = 148) were assigned randomly to fabrication styles within subprimals. When comparing cutting styles within subprimals, it was evident that cutting style affected percentage of retail yield and cutting time. When more bone-in cuts were prepared from bone-in loin subprimals, retail yields ranged from 92.80 +/- .61 to 95.28 +/- .45%, and processing times ranged from 222.57 +/- 10.13 to 318.99 +/- 7.85 s, from the four suppliers. When more boneless cuts were prepared from bone-in loin subprimals, retail yields ranged from 71.12 +/- 1.10 to 77.92 +/- .77% and processing times ranged from 453.49 +/- 8.95 to 631.09 +/- 15.04 s from the different loins. Comparing boneless to bone-in cuts from bone-in loins resulted in lower yields and required greater processing times. Significant variations in yields and times were found within cutting styles. These differences seemed to have been the result of variation in supplier fat trim level and anatomical separation (primarily scribe length).

Animals↗