Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 May 2016
An objective measure of conformation is desirable in the study of fatstock nutrition and genetics. Conformation of the beef carcass can be defined as the proportions of joints of different tissue composition, food value and meat quality. While these can be judged by eye and measurement both in the live animal and the carcass, the most accurate and objective measure of conformation would be obtained by weighing joints of known quality. To use for this purpose the butcher’s separation of the carcass into wholesale joints, the London and Home Counties cutting system was applied to forty bullocks from experiments at the Grassland Research Institute in 1955 and 1956.