Objective Current methods used by slaughtering plants to calculate the value of livestock before they are sacrificed do not establish any difference between animal corporal compositions. Given that payment to the cattle dealer is based on carcass characteristics, mainly weight and composition or lean distribution, there is a need within the livestock industry to predict with objective precision the carcass composition in living animals as an alternative tithe traditional method. Various works has been carried out in order to prove the strong correlation between fat measurements, loin eye muscle area or intramuscularly fat and composition in market animas. Researchers and large food processing companies are already using various expensive and specialised measuring equipment currently available within the industry. The proposed RTD work will develop a reliable measuring instrument, at a cost that makes it a realistic alternative for Sees within the livestock industry. Producers of breeding stocks will be in a position to identify animals with traits that produce superior merit and carcass value. They will be able to raise an optimally grown animal and maximise the yield grade. Furthermore, they will be able to make superior feeding an Fields of science agricultural sciencesanimal and dairy sciencedomestic animalsanimal husbandry Programme(s) FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002 Topic(s) 1.1.1.-5. - Key action Sustainable Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme EAW - Exploratory awards Coordinator AGRORAMADERA DEL PLA S.L EU contribution No data Address Coll Turbau 8 17001 GERONA Spain See on map Total cost No data Participants (1) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all BCF TECHNOLOGY LTD United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address 8 BREWSTER SQ. BRUCEFIELD INDUSTRIAL PARK EH54 9BJ EDINBURGH See on map Total cost No data