The study was carriedout to develop predictions equations of the physical and chemical compositionof dairy calves carcass. Eighteen Holstein bulls calves weighing between 30and 100 kg were used. Groups of six animals were slaughtered at birth, 50 and110 days of age. The carcass was divided in forequarter, rib, hindquarter and9-11th rib section and dissection of each part was carried out. Thephysical and chemical composition was determined by a direct method and predictionequations were adjusted to estimate the physical and chemical composition ofthe carcass by an indirect method. The data of physical composition of the 9-11thrib section were used to test the equation proposed by Hankins and Howe in youngand immature animals. The physical composition of bone, muscle and fat, as wellthe chemical composition of water and ashes of the carcass were best representedby the hindquarter. However, the energy and protein chemical composition wererepresented better by the energy and protein composition the forequarter. Thephysical and chemical composition of the 9-11th rib cut was not agood estimate of young calves carcass.
