Abstract

Sluggish growth in per capita consumption and a downward pressure on beef price at the farm level has required producers to raise cattle that precisely target the meat attributes desired by consumers. Coupled with the consumers’ preference for beef with lean tissue and less external fat, the beef packing plants have used the dualistic grading system that emphasizes leanness and palatability; both important to carcass prices. Ultrasound technology can help farmers to produce a carcass with an optimal mix of attributes such as marbling and muscling, and external fat. The results of this study show a high level of accuracy of ultrasound technology in predicting carcass attributes. An estimated hedonic regression model shows that the carcass attributes are reflected on the implicit beef price. Ultrasound technology helps producers to produce carcass with the desired attributes and thus obtain a higher price.