The Effect of Washing on Beef Carcass Weight

Summary

This study was initiated to determine the difference in weight of beef sides before and after the final wash, and to ascertain if variables, such as animal age and sex, have a significant effect on this weight difference.

The water retention by the carcass side is proportional to its prewash weight and reduces with time. At five minutes post washing the observed weight increase was 0.38%.

Objectives

This study was initiated to determine more accurately the difference in weight between two weighing positions (prewash hot/dry, and post wash hot/wet) and to ascertain if variables such as animal age and sex have a significant influence on this weight difference.

Key findings

• The water taken up by carcasses during the final wash causes an increase in weight. This signifies that the amount of water taken up is greater that the small amounts of fat, tissue and blood loss. The increase in weight was significantly affected by age, fat thickness, body length, side weight and time between washing and rewashing.
• Sex had no effect. All the variables which affected the weight increase (except time between washing and reweighing) are generally not independent of each other and would therefore be expected to show similar effects. When the percentage increase in weight was compared to the variables, only time between washing and reweighing had any significant effect.
• The weight increase after washing is proportional to the prewash weight of the side but reduces with time after washing.

Benefits to industry

This study increased the industry knowledge of the effect washing has on carcase weight and the variables which impact it. This knowledge has been used to tailor washing protocols to different production systems.

MLA action

Once the effect of washing on beef carcase weight was known, MLA undertook a number of future projects looking at the effectiveness of different washing techniques.

Future research

MRR.194 built upon the knowledge gained in this project by reviewing the effectiveness of bone dust removal during carcase sawing using a spray. Further to this, three existing systems in 1985 which did not require a final manual wash were evaluated for their effectiveness and operating costs. This initial MRR.680 project set baselines for these projects to use and facilitated the learnings gained.