Understanding Butcher Dressing Percentages on Whole Carcasses

The dressing percentage is the ratio of hanging carcass weight to live animal weight. For beef, this is typically 60-64%. For hogs, it is higher, around 70-75%, because the skin is often left on.

Once dressed, the carcass undergoes further bone and fat removal. The final yield of retail cuts is significantly lower. Knowing these dressing percentages is crucial for wholesale purchasing.