A Practitioner's Perspective On Beef Carcass Condemnations

Abstract

The numbers and incidence of carcass condemnations in steers and heifers presented for slaughter for the last three years are as follows: 1991-(28,833/ 23,526, 797)--0.12%, 1992-(26,595/26, 700,000)--0.10%, 1993-(26,631/27,600,000)--0.10%.(Table 1) The figures for FY 1994 were not available at the time this article was written. The top six most prevalent reasons for condemnation of beef carcasses are pneumonia, abscess/pyemia, septicemia, contamination, eosinophilic myositis, and toxemia. The numbers quoted are from USDA, FSIS, and only refer to steers and heifers from federally inspected slaughter facilities. The numbers for cows, bulls, and veal calves are not included. The USDA does not distinguish between finished cattle and those sent to slaughter early (realizers/railers). The information from FSIS on condemnations is no longer routinely printed for distribution, but can be attained via the Freedom oflnformationAct. An address is listed at the end of this article.