Abstract: Real-time ultrasound technique, image processing, and analysis were applied to develop prediction models for intermuscular fat (marbling) in live beef animals in a genetic evaluation program. Ultrasound equipment Aloka 500 v with a 3.5 Mhz 17 cm linear array transducer was used to do scans for live been animals. Two scan images were collected on different 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 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.!3
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