Relationship between trauma observed during unloading and carcass bruise prevalence in finished cattle at commercial slaughter facilities

Authors

  • T. L. Lee Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • S. J. Bartle Beef Cattle Institute, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • M. Apley Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • G. H. Loneragan Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409
  • C. Vahl Department of Statistics, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • C. D. Reinhardt Department of Animal Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • M. Siemens Department of Animal Science, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • D. U. Thomson Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/aabppro20163485

Keywords:

Bruising, animal welfare, carcass value, transport, environment, loading, unloading, trauma, beef cattle

Abstract

Bruising in cattle is an indicator of poor welfare, as well as a significant cause of economic loss due to decreased carcass value. Vehicle design, transport conditions, and loading/unloading procedures are considered potential sources of carcass bruising; however, none of these have been explored extensively. The objective of the current study was to determine whether a relationship exists between trauma incurred during unloading and prevalence of carcass bruising in finished beef cattle at commercial slaughter facilities.

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Published

2016-09-15

Issue

Section

Research Summaries 3

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