Goat carcass evaluation

In June-July 1999, Texas A&M Extension held "A Gathering of Goat Producers" in Kerrville, Texas. Part of the 2 ½ day educational program included live and carcass evaluation of meat goats. A class of four wethers was evaluated on-hoof. The goats were later slaughtered and their carcasses were displayed. Two additional goats -- a lean goat and a fat goat -- were evaluated live and slaughtered and further processed into retail cuts. All goats were Boer-cross wethers, approximately 14 to 15 months old, fed in a feedlot.

Click on thumbnails to view larger pictures.

Live Evaluation

Goat #1 - 74 lbs. side view rear view
Goat #2 - 105 lbs. side view rear view
Goat #3 - 102 lbs. rear view
Goat #4 - 107 lbs. side view rear view
Lean Goat - 59 lbs. side view rear view
Fat Goat - 112 lbs. side view rear view


Carcass Evaluation

Whole carcass - Goats 1 & 2 Goats 3 & 4

Ribbed carcass - Goat 1 Goat 2 Goat 3 Goat 4

Legs - Goats 1 & 2 Goats 3 & 4
Kidney & Heart Fat - Goat 1 Goat 2 Goat 3 Goat 4


Carcass Measurements

#1
#2
#3
#4
Lean
Fat
Live weight (lbs.)
74
105
102
107
59
112
Hot carcass weight (lbs.)
32
54
52
53
25
58.5
Dressing Percent (%)
43.2
51.4
51.0
49.5
42.4
52.2
Actual 13th rib backfat (in.)
0.03
0.08
0.05
0.15
0
0.1
Adjusted Fat thickness (in.)
0.08
0.18
0.20
0.25
0.02
0.28
Body Wall (in.)
0.4
0.75
1.05
0.85
0.3
0.95
% Kidney, heart and
pelvic fat (%)
3.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
1.0
4.9
Ribeye area (sq. in.)
1.25
2.30
1.80
1.75
1.35
2.65
Ribeye/Cwt (sq. in./100
lbs. of body weight)
3.91
4.26
3.46
3.30
5.40
4.53
Leg circumference (in.)
19.4
22.8
22.2
23.4
18.7
24.5
% Closely trimmed,
boneless, retail cuts
44.97
43.25
41.13
41.07
47.10
42.37


Carcass Cutout of Lean and Fat Goats
Weight
Percent
Weight
Percent
Carcass Weight
59 lbs.
Lean
112 lbs.
Fat
Outside Shoulder
5 lbs.
20%
9.65 lbs.
16.5%
Rack Shoulder
4.2 lbs.
16.8%
9.15 lbs.
15.6%
Loin
1.55 lbs.
6.2%
4.25 lbs.
7.3%
Legs
6.3 lbs.
25.2%
12.6
21.5%
Fat trim
1.1 lbs.
4.4%
4.65 lbs.
7.9%


Copyright © 1999.

Created or last updated by Susan Schoenian on 23-Dec-2009 .