BONUS SPRING SUMMER 2025

To improve feedlot profitability, it is important to evaluate the key factors that influence dressing percentage and to manage them to ensure optimal results. 1. Live weight The size and weight of an animal are directly linked to dressing percentage. Generally, dressing percentage increases as live weight or fat depth increases in feedlot animals. As animals approach finishing weights, muscle and fat growth outpace the development of other body components such as bone, hide, and viscera. Consequently, heavier animals tend to have higher dressing percentages. Managing animal growth to achieve optimal weight without excessive fat is crucial for maximising dressing percentage. 2. Fat Body fat is deposited in various locations, including the body cavity (visceral fat), within muscles (intramuscular fat or marbling), and beneath the skin (subcutaneous fat). Since much of this fat remains with the carcass, increased body fat generally leads to higher dressing percentages. However, excessive fat can result in trimming by the abattoir, reducing dressing percentages. 3. Age at slaughter The age at which an animal is slaughtered also impacts the dressing percentage. As cattle age, they tend to deposit more fat, which can lead to In contrast, younger cattle that have not yet reached full maturity may have a higher proportion of muscle and a lower proportion of fat, leading to more efficient meat recovery and a higher dressing percentage. Therefore, producers often aim to slaughter cattle at an optimal age that balances muscle development with minimal fat deposition. 4. Genetics and breed Genetic factors play a major role in determining dressing percentages of cattle and sheep. Different breeds have inherent physical traits that affect how efficiently they convert feed into lean muscle and how much fat they store. For example, beef breeds are typically known for their higher dressing percentages due to their ability to put on muscle more efficiently than dairy breeds, which are often leaner. The carcass composition of different breeds also varies. Some breeds tend to deposit more fat than lean muscle, which can impact the final carcass weight and, consequently, the dressing percentage. Additionally, animals that are genetically predisposed to higher muscling, such as those from terminal breeding lines, generally exhibit higher dressing percentages. While dressing percentage differences can be related to mature size, there are other factors such as the weight of the hide, head, feet and viscera, which all have an impact. Polled animals and animals with a smaller hide will have a better dressing percentage, as the additional weight from the horns and hide negatively affects the ratio between the carcass weight and the fifth quarter. Breeds with a heavier hide, head, feet and viscera will have a lower dressing percentage since these body parts are excluded from the carcass weight. Graph 1: Distribution of dressing percentage. a higher carcass weight, but may not necessarily improve the dressing percentage. In some cases, older cattle may have a higher proportion of bone relative to muscle, which can reduce dressing percentages. www.agribonus.co.za Spring/Summer 2025 BONUS 75