Livestock Producers & Consumers

Types of Facilities

It is important to choose a facility accordingly based on the intended use of the final product. There are 3 different categories of facilities within our program; each category allows for different use of the final product. For further explanation of each category, Click Here

Understanding Carcass Yields and Losses

“How much meat product should I expect to receive?” This is one of the most common questions received by establishments and inspection personnel. There are many factors that determine the amount of meat product available from a live animal. However, it is important to understand that less than half of a live animal’s weight at harvest is available as various meat cuts. For example, a 1,200 lb steer with a 62.5% dressing percentage yields a hot carcass of 750 lb. After further processing and de-boning, approximately 527 pounds of meat will be wrapped for consumption. Reference:University of Tennessee Extension Publication