Intramuscular Fat

Intramuscular Fat (IMF) EBVs are estimates of genetic differences between animals in intramuscular fat (marbling) at the 12/13th rib site in a 400 kg carcase.

IMF EBVs are calculated by measuring intramuscular fat in the longissimus dorsi between the 12th and 13th rib via either live animal ultrasound scanning or direct measurement of carcases in the abattoir, and/or genomic information. IMF EBVs are expressed in percentage units.

Higher IMF EBVs indicate the animal is expected to produce progeny with a higher percentage of intramuscular fat (marbling) in a 400 kg carcase.