A data set was used to determine how various factors affect the occurrence of dark-cutting beef and selected carcass traits in finished beef cattle. Data were collected in 1989 and 1990 from one packer with plants located in Amarillo, TX; Boise, ID; Dakota City, NE; and Garden City, KS. The data set consisted of 3,659 lots consisting of 724,639 cattle. Compared with those at Boise and Dakota City, cattle slaughtered in Amarillo and Garden City had a higher incidence of dark cutters (1.1 vs .3%; P < .01) and a lower quality grade (50 vs 64% Choice plus Prime; P < .01). The highest incidences of dark cutters occurred during August, September, and October (1.1 to 1.4%; P < .01), with incidences of .4 to .7% during the other months. Carcass quality grade was higher during January, February, and March compared with May through November (60 to 62% Choice plus Prime vs 52 to 58%; P < .01). As the number of cattle in a lot increased, the incidence of dark cutters increased from .4 to 1.2% (P < .01), and quality grade declined from 62 to 52% Choice plus Prime (P < .01). As the mean weight of cattle in the lot increased, the incidence of dark cutters declined from .94 to .6% (P < .01), and carcasses grading Choice plus Prime increased from 56 to 62% (P < .01). With cattle held over a weekend or holiday, ("carry cattle") the incidence of dark cutters increased from .8 to 1.6% (P < .01). We conclude that packing plant location, month of the year, weight of cattle, carry cattle, and number of cattle in a lot are most likely to influence the incidence of dark cutters and carcass quality traits.
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