Therefore for the YG3 steer, even though the dressing percentage is higher and the carcass weight is heavier, the total return could be less. However, because the industry does not want over-fat carcasses, showed by the YG 3rating, prices will be discounted. For example, suppose a yield grade (YG) 3 steer carcass – one with the lowest grader-estimated lean meat yield of 53% or less - had a dressing percentage that is 1.5% higher than a YG1 steer carcass. Effect of Dressing Percentages on Animal ValueĪ higher dressing percentage will not always yield higher dollar returns, so dressing percentages should be considered in relation to other carcass quality factors.

The higher yielding animal is worth an extra $0.92 per cwt on a live weight basis. For example, a 0.5% difference in the dressing percentage between steer A and B shown in Table 1, results in a $12.02 difference in price per animal. The industry is interested in animal dressing percentage because it establishes the weight upon which payment is calculated for animals sold on a live weight basis. The dressing percentage for a cold carcass can be 2.0 percentage point lower than the warm carcass dressing percentage for the same carcass. Also note that the carcass is weighed warm as opposed to cold. Note that the animal is weighed after transportation to the packing plant so that live weight is a shrunk weight. This '59%' represents the meat and skeletal portion of an animal compared to its live weight. The dressing percent of this animal would be 767 divided by 1300 multiplied by 100 equalling 59%. After being killed, the hide, head, feet and gut are removed. For example, suppose that an animal delivered to the packing plant weighs 1300 pounds. Dressing Percentage in Perspectiveĭressing percentage is calculated by dividing the warm carcass weight by the shrunk live weight of the animal and expressing the result as a percentage. This module explains why dressing percentage is important and discusses the factors that affect it. A basic knowledge of dressing percentage is important in understanding slaughter cattle pricing systems and pricing variability. Dressing percentage is one of many factors affecting the value of a slaughter animal.

Beef animal age