BONUS SPRING SUMMER 2025

Dressing percentage is a multifactorial trait influenced by genetics, diet, management, health, and other factors. For feedlot producers, understanding and managing these factors is key to maximising yield and profitability. By focusing on breed selection, nutrition, health, and effective management practices, producers can improve dressing percentages and enhance meat production efficiency. accumulate on the hide, negatively affecting dressing percentage. If you want to learnmore about factors affecting dressing percentage in feedlot animals, please contact a De Heus technical advisor for expert guidance – https:// www.deheus.co.za/meet-our-team/. 10. Feedlot management practices Effective feedlot management plays a critical role in influencing the dressing percentage. Effectively managing the transition from growth to finishing phases, monitoring feed intake, and ensuring animals are free from stress are all essential practices. Managing the 11. Carcass handling and slaughter procedures After an animal is slaughtered, the handling and processing techniques can also impact the dressing percentage. For example, improper or inefficient evisceration (removal of internal organs) or trimming of fat may result in the loss of valuable meat, which can lower the dressing percentage. Similarly, contamination during slaughter or processing can result in parts of the carcass being discarded, further lowering the yield. The skill and efficiency of the abattoir personnel, as well as the equipment used, can influence the accuracy and overall yield of the carcass. Adherence to proper handling and processing protocols is crucial to achieving the highest possible dressing percentage. 9. Health status Health problems can significantly impact dressing percentage. Sick or stressed animals often experience poor feed conversion, slower growth, and increased fat deposition. Conditions such as lameness, respiratory infections, or digestive disorders can cause animals to lose weight or fail to gain weight efficiently, thus reducing the dressing percentage. In extreme cases, these conditions can lead to animals having a higher proportion of non-carcass components, like organs and bones, relative to their live weight. Furthermore, stress, whether from handling or transportation, can result in decreased carcass yield due to the breakdown of muscle tissue. Proper veterinary care, disease prevention programmes, and stress-reduction strategies are essential in maintaining high dressing percentages. timing of the finishing diet, ensuring cattle are not overfed or underfed, and avoiding sudden changes in the diet are all strategies that contribute to optimising dressing percentages. www.deheus.co.za | 031 785 1575 | infosa@deheus.com Spring/Summer 2025 BONUS www.agribonus.co.za 78