| ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to develop accurate regression equations to predict body composition of Nellore cattle using chemical composition of the 9th, 10th, and 11th ribs and to evaluate the models proposed by analyzing mean and linear bias. Sixty-seven Nellore bulls were slaughtered and slaughter body weight (SBW), hot carcass weight (HCW), and 9th-, 10th-, and 11th-rib-cut weight (RCW) were measured. Empty body composition was obtained after grinding, homogenizing, sampling, chemical analysis, and pooling (blood, skin, head + feet, viscera, and carcass). Chemical components were determined in rib cut, carcass, and empty body: protein (RCP, HCP, and EBP), fat (RCF, HCF, and EBF), ash (RCA, HCA, and EBA), and water (RCWt, HCWt, and EBWt).... |
