Cattle handling at abattoirs. 3. The effects of feeding, and of different feeds, during the resting period before slaughter on liveweight carcasses and muscle properties

1989 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 1099 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Wythes ◽  
PJ Round ◽  
GN Johnston ◽  
PC Smith

The effects of feeding lucerne hay or rice straw during the resting period before slaughter on live, carcass and liver weights, bruising, the percentages of condemned head and tongues and of rumens with ingesta spillage, and muscle properties of cattle were examined. The 217 British breed and 70 Brahman steers (mean liveweights of 582 and 603 kg) had been grazing native pastures in northern Queensland. They were transported 440 km by road to an abattoir.The seven groups (each 41 steers) had access to water from unloading at the abattoir (late day 2) until slaughter. Three groups (N2, N4 and N6) were not fed, while two groups were fed ad libitum rice straw (RS4 and RS6) and another two groups were fed ad libitum lucerne hay (LH4 and LH6) from day 3 until 24 h before slaughter. The period from mustering to slaughter was 2 days for group N2,4 days for groups N4, RS4 and LH4, and 6 days for N6, RS6 and LH6.Unfed steers lost 4.7% of their pre-transport liveweight after 3 days and 9.1% after 5 days, while the fed steers lost 34% and 6.7%, respectively.Group N2 had a heavier (P<O.05) mean carcass weight than groups N4, RS4, RS6 and LH6 (351 kg compared with 343-344 kg). Both N2 and LH4 (348 kg) were heavier (P< 0.05) than group N6 (340 kg). Trends in mean dressing percentage were the same as for carcass weight. Group N2 had a heavier (P< 0.05) mean liver weight than all other groups, with no effect of feeding treatment. Group N2 and the fed groups (except RS6) had a greater (P< 0.05) mean water content for the M. longus colli than groups N4 and N6.Treatment had no significant effect on mean bruise score, fat thickness, mean pH value of M. longissirnus dorsi 24 h post mortem, the percentage of carcasses with high (>6.00) pH values, and the percentages of heads and tongue condemned due to ingesta contamination and rumens contaminated with ingesta spillage.

1988 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 87 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Wythes ◽  
WR Shorthose ◽  
VH Powell

In three experiments, we studied the effects of duration of rest and nature of resting conditions before slaughter and of electrical stimulation, on carcass weight, bruising and muscle properties of cattle of known age. In experiment 1, 22 Droughtmaster steers (mean liveweight 284 kg) rested for 2.5 or 26.5 h following a 125 km road journey. In experiment 2, 82 Zebu crossbred cows (mean liveweight 416 kg) rested for 4 or 52 h after a 1310 km rail journey. Those rested for 52 h were allowed to rest either peacefully (P), subjected periodically to noise and disturbances (D) or mixed with unfamiliar cows (M). In experiment 3, 68 Hereford and Simmental x Hereford cows (mean liveweight 445 kg) rested for 28 h, after a 930 km road and rail journey, and during this time were subjected to resting treatments P, D or M. All cattle had access to water until slaughter, and were slaughtered at the same abattoir. All carcasses were electrically stimulated in experiment 1, but only half those in each treatment group in experiments 2 and 3. Electrical stimulation of carcasses had a much greater effect on tenderness than did resting conditions before slaughter. The LD muscles of stimulated carcasses were more tender than those of unstimulated ones. Of the 31 cattle slaughtered after a few hours' rest, only one carcass had a high pH value 24 h post mortem. The LD muscles of cattle rested for 26.5 h were more tender than those of cattle rested for 2.5 h. Resting treatment did not consistently affect mean carcass weight, pH24, time for LD muscle to cool to 20�C or cooking loss. Noise and disturbance during the resting period appeared to be more stressful than mixing (13.6 v. 4.5% carcasses with high muscle pH 24 h post mortem in experiment 3 only). Steers rested for 26.5 h had a higher mean bruise score than those rested for only 2.5 h, but there was no effect of resting time or resting conditions on bruising in cows.


1989 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 757 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Wythes ◽  
WR Shorthose ◽  
RM Dodt ◽  
RF Dickinson

Liveweights, carcass characteristics, bruising and muscle properties of Bos indicus x Bos taurus (BiX) and Bos taurus (Bt) cattle (1070 steers and 394 cows) were compared from 7 experiments throughout Queensland. In general, the cattle were weighed (unfasted), transported as mixed genotype groups to an abattoir and given access to water from arrival until slaughter. Access to feed varied between experiments. Mustering to slaughter periods varied from 4 to 9 days. For steers, mean liveweight at slaughter and carcass characteristics (weight, dressing percentage, liver weight and rib fat depth) were generally similar for BiX and Bt. In 1 of the 5 experiments with steers, BiX had a greater (P<0.05) mean liveweight, carcass weight, dressing percentage and liver weight. In both of the experiments with cows, BiX had greater (P<0.05) mean carcass weight but in only 1 experiment greater (P<0.05) mean liveweight and dressing percentage. There were no consistent differences between BiX and Bt in bruise score. Meat properties were compared in 1 experiment each for steers and for cows. BiX cows had a greater (P<0.05) mean initial yield(YI) shear value and tended to have a greater peak force (PF) for M. longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle than Bt cows. BiX had a lower (P<0.05) PF - IY value. Genotype had no significant effect on shear values and sarcomere length in steers or on cooking loss in steers and cows. Over all experiments, there was a higher (P<0.05) percentage of Bt than BiX carcasses ( 8.5 v. 3.7%) with high pH (> 6.0) values 24 h post mortem (pH24) for LD muscle. Genotype had no significant effect on mean pH24 and ultimate pH in cows or steers. Significantly more (P<0.05) cow than steer carcasses had high pHz4 values (10.9 v. 5.0%). In 2 experiments, more (P<0.05) heads and tongues were condemned for BiX than Bt steers, but there was no significant difference for the percentage of burst rumens. We conclude that the belief held by producers, butchers and others that BiX cattle have more bruising and produce darker meat than Bt cattle is unfounded. The overall toughness of meat from cattle slaughtered in northern Australia is of much greater concern than minor differences between genotypes.


1983 ◽  
Vol 23 (122) ◽  
pp. 235 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Wythes ◽  
MJ Brown ◽  
WR Shorthose ◽  
MR Clarke

In two experiments, we examined the effects on liveweight, carcass traits and muscle properties of (a) sending cattle to the abattoir either direct from a farm or via a saleyard, and (b) different curfew and sale procedures at a saleyard. During the 12 h curfew and 10 h sale periods, cattle were held with or without water, but always denied feed. In experiment 1, after a journey of 1320 km, 252 bullocks (mean liveweight 558 kg) were subjected to one of seven treatments. The groups transported direct to the abattoir were (1) denied water between arrival and slaughter (26 h), (2) offered water for 26 h, or (3) offered water and feed for 50 h and then water alone for 24 h. Those sent to the saleyard were given access to water (4) at all times, (5) only during the curfew and sale periods, (6) only before the curfew began, or (7) were denied water until after the sale, when all groups were offered water for 36 h until slaughter. Among the bullocks sent direct to the abattoir, the group with water for 26 h until slaughter had heavier (P< 0.0 1 ) carcasses than those denied water (331 kg vs 312 kg) and also a greater (P < 0.0 1) muscle water content, while the carcasses of the group slaughtered 2 d later were intermediate for both. Whether dressing percentages were calculated on liveweights at the start or end of the simulated sale for the four saleyard groups, the differences in mean dressing percentages between groups offered water (0.7 and 0.3 percentage units) were less than the differences between the means of the groups denied water (3.7 and 3.5 units). The increases in dressing percentage during the sale for groups with water (0.7 and 0.3 units) were less than those for the groups denied water (1.5 and 1.7 units). Differences in mean liveweights and mean muscle water contents between groups followed the same trends. Mean carcass weights did not differ significantly between saleyard groups (318-323 kg). In experiment 2, after a journey of 90 km, 152 cows (mean liveweight 323 kg) were subjected to one of four treatments. The group going direct to the abattoir was offered water for 4.5 h, fasted for 16 h and then slaughtered. For the other three groups, the saleyard treatments 4,6, or 7 of experiment 1were imposed, followed by 21 h on water and a 16 h pre-slaughter fast. Trends in dressing percentage and liveweight were similar to those recorded in experiment 1. Mean carcass weight varied (P<0. 05) between groups and tended to increase with muscle water content. Method of sale was important because it affected the time from mustering to slaughter, and thus, carcass weight. At saleyards, the practice of giving cattle continuous access to water reduced significantly the variation in liveweight, dressing percentage and muscle water content between groups with similar initial liveweights. This practice at abattoirs avoided dehydration of carcass tissues at slaughter


1991 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 145 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Wythes ◽  
WR Shorthose

The effects of chronological age and dentition on the liveweight, carcass weight, bruising and muscle properties of 348 cows and 370 steers were examined in 5 experiments in Queensland (1982-83). Birth dates were known only for the cows in experiments 1 and 2, and for the steers in experiment 5; with ages categorised as 4 years and less (young), 5-10 years (mature) and greater than 10 years (old). The number of permanent 'incisor' teeth were recorded for all animals. The cattle were weighed (unfasted), transported to an abattoir and given access to water and hay (except in experiment 5). Mustering to slaughter periods varied from 2 to 7 days. Half the carcasses were electrically stimulated in experiments 1 and 2. In general, old and mature cows with 8 teeth had heavier (P<0.05) mean liveweights than did young cows with 4 teeth, and both had heavier (P<0.05) liveweights and carcass weights than those with 2 teeth. Old cows with 8 teeth also had the lowest (P<0.05) mean dressing percentage, while mature cows had the greatest (P<0.05) fat depth. There was no consistent trend between groups in bruise score. Steers with 8 teeth had a greater (P<0.05) mean liveweight, carcass weight, dressing percentage and rib fat depth than other dentition groups, and a greater (P<0.05) bruise score in experiment 5 only. There was no significant effect of chronological age or dentition on the shear force values or cooking losses of M. longissimus dorsi (LD) for cows. In 1 experiment, steers with 8 teeth had a greater (P<0.05) peak force-initial yield value and lower (P<0.05) cooking loss than other dentition groups. Mature cow carcasses cooled more (P<0.05) slowly than those of other ages. Over all experiments, there were more (P<0.05) high pHz4 carcasses among the combined 6 and 8 teeth group than the combined 2 and 4 teeth group (10.2 v. 2.3%).


2021 ◽  
Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. 495-496
Author(s):  
Abner A Rodriguez ◽  
Aixa Rivera ◽  
Alana Bayne ◽  
Susan K Duckett

Abstract Lamb production in tropical areas is conducted under heat stress in extensive grazing conditions of naturalized pastures (NP). The average daily gain (ADG) and yields of hot (HCY) and cold (CCY) carcass, wholesale cuts (WSC); neck (N), shoulder (SL), ribs 5–12 (RIB), loin (LN) and leg (LG), and detail cuts (DTC); shoulder chops (SCH), french chops (FCH), ribs (RS), back leg (BL) and shanks (SH) of 12 lambs (X = 19.4 kg) rotationally grazed (3 d occupation and 24 d resting period) for 154 or 238 d were determined. The Lambs grazed &gt;8 h NP, grass hay and water were offered ad libitum, 150 g/d of a supplement (12% CP), and mineral blocks. Weekly weights were used to determine ADG. Lambs were slaughtered at 22 (SW1) or 35 kg (SM2) to determine HCY and CCY, and WSC and DTC yield as % of cold carcass weight. Performance data was analyzed as a randomized experimental (CRD) design over time. Carcass and cut yields data were analyzed as a CRD with 6 replicates per treatment. Lambs fed during 238-d had similar ADG than those fed 154-d (68.14 vs.47.74 g/d). SW1 and SW2 had similar percentages of HCY (35.21 vs. 38.14) and CCY (34.48 vs. 37.40). The WSC as % of cold carcass weight, N (6.43 vs. 7.06), SL (29.95 vs. 30.20), RIB (16.10 vs. 16.95), LN (10.84 vs. 11.33) and LG (36.51 vs. 34.44) were similar for SW1 and SW2. Yield of SCH and SH was lower (P &lt; 0.05) for SW1 (15.80 and 8.11) than SW2 (23.00 and 9.11), but FCH (8.49 vs. 8.57), RS (6.89 vs. 7.00) and BL (36.52 vs 34.45) were similar. In summary, lambs slaughtered at 35 kg improved the retail cut yield, but did not influence ADG, HCY, CCY, and WCY compared to lighter lambs.


1988 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 97 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Wythes ◽  
RJ Arthur ◽  
RM Dodt ◽  
WR Shorthose

In two experiments, we examined the effects on carcass weight, bruising and muscle properties of resting cattle during a long rail journey and for various periods at an abattoir before slaughter. In experiment 1, 170 Shorthorn bullocks (mean liveweight 556 kg) were transported 90 km by road and 650 km by rail, with three groups (34 per group) going directly to an abattoir and two groups resting once for one day midway during the rail journey. The resting periods at this abattoir were 2, 3, 4,2 and 3 days, respectively. In experiment 2, 240 cows (mean liveweight 424 kg) were transported 190 km by road and 965 km by rail, with three groups (40 per group) going directly to another abattoir, two groups resting once for one day and one group twice for one day during the rail journey. The resting periods at this second abattoir were 1.5, 2.5, 3.5, 1, 2 and 1 day(s), respectively. All cattle had access to feed and water during resting periods and to water until slaughter. As the total resting period after the start of the rail journey and before slaughter increased, the percentage of carcasses with high pH values for M. longissimus dorsi decreased (P < 0.05); correlations for pH 24 h post mortem and ultimate pH were -0.97 and -0.71, respectively. The correlation between total resting period and shear values (initial yield and peak force) were c. -0.5. A resting period during the rail journey was as effective as that time spent resting at the abattoir. Cattle transported directly by rail to the abattoir had a greater bruise score than those rested en route, although cows rested twice were as bruised as those going direct. Treatment had no significant effect on carcass weight or systematic effect on cooking loss. Very high incidences of high ultimate pH values in one group of bullocks (29.4%) and another of cows (20.5%) occurred following periods of stress when slaughtering was interrupted by unavoidable stoppages.


1980 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 849 ◽  
Author(s):  
JR Wythes ◽  
WR Shorthose ◽  
PJ Schmidt ◽  
CB Davis

After a long journey of 1420 km, bullocks were watered without feed for 0, 3.5, 7, 28 or 32 h or watered with feed for 32 h prior to a 16 h preslaughter fast (no water and feed). The 108 bullocks in the first three treatments (36 per treatment) were slaughtered after resting for 1 day and the remaining 108 after resting for 2 days. Bullocks lost 10.4% of initial liveweight (656 kg) in transit. Mean liveweight of 588 kg on arrival increased when bullocks had access to water, so that after 3.5 h on water the net liveweight loss was reduced (P < 0.05) to 6.0 % of initial liveweight and after longer periods the loss varied from 6.8 to 7.3%. The net loss of the group also offered lucerne hay was 6.7%. More importantly, re-hydration increased (P < 0.01) gross hot carcass weight from 369 kg to 383 kg when bullocks were watered for 3.5 and 7 h, 381 kg after 28 h on water alone and 379 kg after 32 h on water and feed. However, this increment was not maintained, since the carcasses of bullocks on water alone for 32 h averaged 376 kg and were lighter (P < 0.05) than those of other bullocks on water. The water content of fat-free muscle reflected the same pattern as carcass weight (P < 0.01), although muscle water content peaked at 78.16% when bullocks were watered for 28 h compared with 76.01 % for those bullocks not offered water. Resting bullocks for 2 days rather than 1 day reduced (P < 0.01) the pH values of the M. longissimus dorsi 24 h post mortem from 5.64 to 5.57.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 419-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noel A Claffey ◽  
Alan G Fahey ◽  
Vasiliki Gkarane ◽  
Aidan P Moloney ◽  
Frank J Monahan ◽  
...  

Abstract Rations (DM basis) for spring-born male lambs consisting of concentrates ad libitum (CON), 50:50 (50% concentrate:50% forage), and forage ad libitum (FORG) were evaluated across feeding periods of three durations (36, 54, and 72 d). Lambs on CON diets were offered ad libitum access to concentrate along with 400 g of fresh weight silage (daily), while 50:50 diets were offered 0.9 and 3.0 kg of concentrate and silage, respectively. Lambs on FORG were offered ad libitum access to 25.5% DM silage. These rations were fed to 99 spring-born male Texel cross Scottish Blackface lambs which were assigned to a 3 × 3 factorial arrangement. Lambs were slaughtered following completion of their respective treatments. Lambs fed CON diets had greater ADG, FCE, and carcass weight (P &lt; 0.001) and carcasses with greater conformation score (P &lt; 0.001) than lambs fed 50:50 or FORG diets. Duration of feeding had no effect on production variables across all three concentrate inclusion levels. It was concluded that the inclusion of concentrates is needed to adequately finish lambs fed indoors. Feeding lamb’s 50:50 diets resulted in modest responses and may be a viable option for finishing lambs or to maintain growth in lambs when the cost of concentrate feed is high relative to the financial return on the lamb meat.


Agro-Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-30
Author(s):  
J.I. Ugwuoke ◽  
O.R. Okwesili ◽  
C.E. Dim ◽  
M.N. Okonkwo ◽  
H.M. Ndofor-Foleng

A five-week study was conducted to determine the effect of feeding varying levels of S. cerevisiae on carcass and organ characteristics of finishing broilers. One hundred and twenty 4-weeks old broilers of cobb strain were randomly assigned to four treatments (T1 = 0.6 g Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) kg–1 diet; T2 = 0.8 g SC kg–1 diet; T3 = 1.0 g SC kg–1 diet and T4 = 0.0 g SC kg–1 diet) with 30 birds per treatment and replicated twice with 15 birds per replicate in a completely randomized design. Feed and water were provided ad libitum to the birds in a deep litter system. In the end, data on growth, carcass and organ indices generated from the study were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) among the treatments in the birds’ growth performance indices. However, significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the birds’ values for liver weight, heart weight, shank length and thigh length with birds in T3 recording highest values of 61.30 g, 16.93 g and 12.00 cm for liver weight, heart weight and thigh length, respectively. It was thus concluded that finishing broilers fed 1.0 g of S. cerevisiae had superior carcass and organ characteristics than birds on the control and lower levels of inclusion.


1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 461 ◽  
Author(s):  
DL Hopkins ◽  
PJ Holst ◽  
DG Hall

Objective and subjective tests for quality were performed on the meat from 40 cryptorchid second-cross lambs fed lucerne only (L; n = 8), lucerne plus an oat grain supplement ad libitum (LO; n = lo), lucerne plus wilted lucerne silage ad libitum (LS; n = 11), or an oat-lupin grain (3:1) supplement at 90% of ad libitum while grazing dry summer annual pasture (OL; n = 11). All carcasses complied with the Elite lamb specification of weight >22 kg and GR measurement 6-15 mm. There was no significant difference between groups for hot carcass weight, the mean (� s.e) values being 25.1 0.43, 25.2 � 0.36,25.2 � 0.38, and 25.3 � 0.36 kg for L, LS, LO, and OL groups, respectively. When the GR and fat depth over the eye muscle at the 12th rib were adjusted to a common carcass weight of 25.2 kg there was no significant difference between groups. There was no significant difference between groups for pH, or the colour values a*, b*, and L* of the M. longissimus thoracis et lumborum (a* is relative redness, b* relative yellowness, and L* relative lightness). The shear force values for the loin muscle were significantly (P<0.05) greater for lambs from group OL than for those from group LO. Cooking loss for the loin muscle was significantly (P<0.05) greater for OL lambs than all other groups. A comparison of the mean values for aroma and flavour showed the lambs from group OL produced meat that was considered significantly (P<0.05) less desirable for these characteristics, with other groups being similar. Meat from OL-fed lambs was considered oilier and less meaty than meat from lambs fed the other diets. There was a significant (P<0.05) difference in absolute scores between panellists, but their ranking was not affected and there was no panellist x sample interaction. Because many producers use grain supplements such as oats and lupins for finishing lambs on dry forages, further study is recommended that focuses on the interaction between supplement and the base forage.


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