Ultrasound and optical measurement data fusion for assessing the morphological traits and weight of Aberdeen Angus cattle

The search for tools to enhance potential biological productivity and improve beef quality is essential in beef cattle breeding. This research studies the anatomical and morphological features of Aberdeen Angus cattle by visual assessment, ultrasound, and 3D optical devices and their relationship with growth and meat productivity. Data from the lifetime evaluation of body conformation, linear measurements, the eye-muscle area, back fat thickness, and slaughter indices in 260 Aberdeen Angus bulls aged 17 months were used. The pre-slaughter live weight of these bulls was 617.6 ± 1.68 kg. Hip height and chest girth were positively correlated with pre-slaughter live weight (r = 0.25–0.26; P < 0.05) and carcass weight (r = 0.31–0.35; P < 0.01–0.001). Indicators of muscle development were significantly correlated with body and carcass weight (p < 0.001). Ultrasound measurement of the eye-muscle area showed a strong positive relationship with live weight (r = 0.74; P < 0.001) and carcass weight (r = 0.73; P < 0.001). The significant positive correlations between hip height, chest girth, eye-muscle area, and muscle score indicated the effectiveness of these predictors in constructing models for determining pre-slaughter live weight and carcass weight. The highest coefficients (R2 = 0.60–0.64) to determine multiple regressions were obtained when the variables determined by the three measurement techniques were included. Visual, anatomical, and morphological assessments using optical and ultrasound devices are reliable methods of characterizing the meat productivity of young Aberdeen Angus cattle. The introduction of the most accurate methods for predicting and lifetime evaluation of meat productivity will allow the creation of herds with the most valuable animals, minimizing slaughter.