Assessment of carcass characteristics and yield prediction based on slaughter weight in Ongole Crossbred cattle

Abstract The livestock sector is one of the key sub-sectors in ensuring food security in the era of sustainable self-sufficiency. As a meat-producing country, Indonesia aims to achieve food self-sufficiency, especially to meet the demand for domestic meat consumption. The government targets supplying 90–95 % of meat in the context of domestic food self-sufficiency. To achieve this target, productivity must be increased through the development of cattle farming, especially on smallholder farms in Indonesia. This study aimed to analyze variables related to livestock productivity and investigate the effect of slaughter weight on carcass weight in beef cattle raised on smallholder farms. The research was conducted at the Ciamis Slaughterhouse in West Java, Indonesia, using a survey method. The cattle used were 30 male OC cattle aged 24–36 months. The data were analyzed descriptively based on real conditions in the field, while carcass weight and carcass percentage were estimated from slaughter weight using linear regression analysis. The results showed that local Ongole Crossbred cattle had a carcass percentage of less than 50 %; however, the animals were not lean and exhibited notable fat deposition. The Body Condition Score (BCS) index was 3.41, and the trade index was categorized as moderately high. In the quantitative analysis, slaughter weight had a significant effect on carcass weight and did not significantly affect carcass percentage.