A comparison of two methods of predicting bone weight of cattle

Abstract

The accuracy of some published prediction equations for two methods of predicting side bone weight of cattle was evaluated by fitting data from cattle of known carcase composition to them. The two methods evaluated are based on the use of either side weight and the weight of the radius and ulna; or the separate weights of the humerus, radius and ulna, femur and tibia. The results indicated that of the two methods, the use of the weights of the four bones gave by far the more accurate results when applied to the independent sample of test data. Some data of other workers relating to the use of the radius and ulna as a predictor of side bone weight are reported. These data suggest that the relatively poor results obtained here for the method incorporating the weight of the radius and ulna may not necessarily reflect the possible predictive value of this bone.