Characterizing Products from the Beef Rib Resulting From an Alternative Carcass Break

Thirty USDA Choice carcasses were selected at random for inclusion in the study. Alternating sides of each carcass was fabricated into either an 8-rib rib separated from the chuck between the 4th and 5th rib or a traditional 7-rib rib separated from the chuck between the 5th and 6th rib. All comparisons between 8-rib and 7-rib ribs were made within animal. All ribs were collected and transported under refrigeration to the Colorado State University for fabrication. Comprehensive cutout data was collected from conversion of each individual NAMP 107 oven-prepared rib to a NAMP 112 boneless ribeye roll. Within 7 d of product collection, the boneless ribeye rolls were transported to a steak portioning facility, and all pieces were cut into equally portioned ribeye steaks. At the time of portioning, steak measurements were collected and recorded. All weight and steak yield comparisons were made between 7-rib and 8-rib ribs. Following steak portioning, an image of each steak was obtained on a gridded background. Individual images were analyzed using image software capable of making measurements by quantifying pixel size (Image J). From each steak image, all meaningful dimensional measurements were obtained. Following image capture, steaks were individually identified, packaged, frozen and stored for shear force evaluations. Steaks were thawed and cooked to a peak internal temperature of 71°C using a combination convection oven. Following cooking, the peak internal temperature was recorded for each steak. Warner-Bratzler Shear Force (WBSF) values were obtained for the primary muscles in every steak (longissimus, complexus, and spinalis). A single mean WBSF value was obtained and averaged for each muscle individually. Comparisons of least squares means for product yield and steak cutting yield were made between 8-rib and 7-rib ribs. Means for WBSF and steak measurements were compared by steak location within the portioned 8-rib ribs only.