What is one primary consideration in evaluating a live animal for carcass weight?

When evaluating a live animal for carcass weight, muscling is a primary consideration because it directly correlates to the amount of meat that can be harvested from the animal. Animals with well-developed musculature typically yield higher carcass weights, as muscle is the part of the animal that is ultimately processed for meat. Assessing an animal's muscling helps determine its market potential, as those with greater muscle mass generally result in a higher quality and heavier carcass, which is more desirable in the meat industry.

Height, while it might indirectly relate to overall body size, does not have a direct relationship with carcass weight since taller animals can have varied body compositions. Temperament affects management and handling but does not impact the physical attributes that lead to carcass weight. Skeletal structure is important for overall health and mobility, but it is difficult to quantify in terms of how much meat it will produce. Therefore, muscling stands out as the most relevant aspect in evaluating live animals for their potential carcass weight.