The impact of operator error using optical probes to estimate pork carcass value
1995
Boland, M.A. | Berg, E.P. | Akridge, J.T. | Forrest, J.C.
The use of value-based hog marketing programs in the United States increased from 14 percent of total hog marketings in 1984 to 36 percent in 1992. As compared to live-weight marketing, these programs provide economic incentives to producers marketing leaner pork. All value-based marketing programs are based on carcass lean composition or other quality attributes. In 1992, over 70 percent of the hogs sold on value-based marketing programs were evaluated using an optical probe. The objective of this research was to determine the effect of varying degrees of optical probe operator error on estimation of pork carcass value. Extensive composition data on 50 pork carcasses were collected at a western Corn Belt packing plant. Errors in estimating carcass value caused by misprobing carcasses were calculated. The three most common types of operator error were studied: probing the carcass at the wrong angle in relation to the outer skin surface or either probing too near or too far from the split surface. Results show that estimates of pork carcass value made using optical probes can be significantly affected by operator error. More specifically, operator error rates at levels greater than 20 percent significantly underestimated lean boneless pork carcass value by as much as $4.09 per carcass. Careful training of optical probe operators, more frequent scheduling of operator breaks, and/or more frequent rotation of operators could help avoid miscalculation of carcass value due to operator error. Alternative methods of carcass evaluation should seek to reduce human error, improve prediction accuracy, and avoid carcass damage.
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