Reevaluation of the Beef Carcass-To-Retail Weight Conversion Factor

Kenneth E. Nelson, Lawrence A. Duewer and Terry L. Crawford

No 308082, Agricultural Economic Reports from United States Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service

Abstract: Reevaluation of the conversion factor used for changing beef carcass weight data to retail weight shows that the figure used since 1962 (0.74) was accurate through 1985. This report develops a new method for evaluating the conversion factor, and recommends that the factor be recalculated each year to account for changes such as leaner cattle, closer trimming of fat, and more removal of bone. Based on this new method, the conversion factor changed for 1986 (to 0.73), for 1987 (to 0.71), and for 1988 (to 0.705). The 1988 factor means that 70.5 percent of the original carcass is available for retailing. The conversion factor is the portion of the beef carcass purchased by consumers. The revised factor for 1988 represents about 3 1/2 pounds less beef per capita purchased than if 0.74 were still being used.

Keywords: Food Consumption/Nutrition/Food Safety; Livestock Production/Industries; Productivity Analysis; Research Methods/Statistical Methods (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 42
Date: 1989
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:uerser:308082

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.308082

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