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Image analysis and ultrasound techniques for prediction of intramuscular fat of live beef animals

Real-time ultrasound technique, image processing and analysis were applied to develop predition models for interamuscular fat (marbling) in live beef animals in genetic evaluation program. Ultrasound equipment Aloka 500v with a 3.5 Mhz 17 cm linear array transducer was used to do scans for live beef animals. Two scan images were collected on diferrent locations for each animal. The animals were slaughtered within one day after scanning and then a USDA marbling score was recorded and an ether extract (EE) analysis was performed to get a percent fat for each animal. Gray scale histogram, texture and movement analysis were applied to all the scan images. Fourier spectrum statistics variables and movement descriptors were used to develop prediction models. The prediction results demonstrate that the image analysis and real-time ultrasound techniques may be a valuable tool to estimate intramuscular fat for use in sorting feedlot cattle and in genetic evaluation programs for body composition in live beef animals.

Key words: Ultrasonics, Image Analysis, Prediction Models, Genetic Improvement, Live Beef Animals