Dressing percentages for cattle

Summary

'Dressing percentage' is a factor used to calculate carcase weight from a known or estimated liveweight. It is also used to compare liveweight prices with dressed weight prices. The ability to determine dressing percentage allows a producer to estimate the carcase weight of a live animal, for example to compare the price that would be received on a liveweight basis with the price received on a carcase value basis.

This Primefact covers:

• factors affecting dressing percentage;
• guide to dressing percentages;
• allowing for loss of gutfill;
• lotfed versus grainfed;
• other factors affecting dressing percentage.