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| United States Patent |
6,579,236 |
| Pratt |
June 17, 2003 |
Ruminant tissue analysis at packing plants for electronic
cattle management and grading meat Abstract
A method is described comprising stunning a ruminant at a
packing plant, and thereafter measuring tissue characteristics
of the
ruminant using a tissue imaging and analysis device prior
to processing the ruminant to a carcass. Working embodiments
of
the method have used an ultrasound tissue imaging and analysis
device, although other analyses also can be performed.
The method can be used to, amongst other things, measure
backfat
and rib eye dimensions, obtain an ultrasound image, and
determine rib eye area and marbling using the measured
tissue characteristics.
A method for processing and managing ruminants and ruminant
products in feedlots and packing plants also is described
comprising first measuring internal tissue characteristics
and/or external
body dimensions of ruminants at a feedlot. These ruminants
are then fed at the feedlot, and then shipped to a packing
plant where tissue characteristics of stunned ruminants
are measured using a tissue imaging and analysis device.
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