Cow-Calf Certification Practice Exam

What is the primary impact of carrying a pregnancy on the dressing percentage of a cull cow?

1. Increase it

2. No impact

3. Decrease it

4. It varies by breed

The correct answer is: Decrease it

Carrying a pregnancy has a direct impact on the dressing percentage of a cull cow, primarily resulting in a decrease in that percentage. The dressing percentage refers to the proportion of the live weight that is converted into carcass weight after slaughter. When a cow is pregnant, this additional weight from the fetus and associated reproductive tissues contributes to the live weight but does not significantly add to the carcass weight due to the nature of the biological material involved. Consequently, although the live weight of a pregnant cow might be higher, the amount of marketable meat derived post-slaughter does not increase proportionately, leading to a lower dressing percentage. Essentially, the extra weight from the pregnancy does not convert to more muscle or fat that would be valuable in the meat yield, thus reducing the overall efficiency of carcass conversion. In contrast, cows that are not pregnant tend to have a higher dressing percentage because their entire body weight contributes to the meat yield more effectively. Understanding this relationship is essential for producers to make informed decisions about culling and managing breeding stock for optimal meat production.