title: A comparison of the optical intrascope, the Hennessy & Chong Fat Depth Indicator and the Danish MFA probe to predict pig carcass backfat thickness.
abstract: Two automatic backfat measurement devices (the New Zealand Hennessy & Chong Fat Depth Indicator (FDI) and the Danish Meat Fat Automatic (MFA) probe) were compared with the Optical Intrascope (OI) as alternative devices to predict P(2) backfat thickness (65 mm from the dorsal mid-line at the level of the posterior edge of the head of the last rib) in pig carcass classification schemes. Prediction equations of P(2) backfat thickness (mm) taken on the cold carcass (cold P(2)) were developed for two operators who made independent hot carcass P(2) measurements (hot P(2)) with the O1, FDI and MFA on each of 114 carcasses. The OI and FDI were found to be of equivalent precision in predicting cold P(2) with the same operator (residual standard deviation, RSD = 1·29 and 1·30, respectively). The MFA was significantly (P < 0·05) less precise (RSD = 1·81). Between operator measurements of hot P(2) with the FDI (RSD = 1·17) had significantly (P < 0·05) less variation compared with the OI and MFA (RSD = 1·27).
authors: Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Centre, Wollongbar, New South Wales 2480, Australia.
authors: L R
authors: LR
authors: Giles