Bruising in cattle fasted prior to transport for slaughter

Investigating the impact of pre-slaughter management factors on meat quality outcomes in cattle raised for beef: A scoping review

Introduction

The pre-slaughter management period is a critical juncture in the beef supply chain, having implications not only for animal welfare and product quality, but also for profitability. During this period, cattle are exposed to many stressors in a short time, many of which have been shown to impact meat quality. Understanding how cattle management during this terminal step in the production chain affects meat quality and economic outcomes is crucial.

Methods

The objective of this study was to investigate, synthesize, and report on research evaluating the impact of management factors during the pre-slaughter period on beef meat quality. A systematic approach was used to search for peer-reviewed and primary studies published in English in CAB Abstracts, PubMed, and Web of Science. A total of 3,217 non-duplicate records were screened for eligibility; articles were deemed eligible for inclusion if they included beef cattle in the pre-slaughter period and reported at least one meat quality outcome. After three screening rounds, 85 articles met all inclusion criteria. Data pertinent to the scoping review’s aims were extracted, including study location, population characteristics, pre-slaughter factors reported, and outcomes of interest.

Results

Europe (35, 41%) and South America (21, 25%) represented approximately two-thirds of the studies. Bulls (37, 43.5%) and steers (34, 40.0%) were the most reported sex classes, with the most frequent breed types reported as predominantly British or Continental and Bos indicus breeds (24, 28.2%; 24, 28.2%, respectively). Transportation (n=46), lairage (n=36), and handling (n=35) practices were the most reported pre-slaughter factors. Overall, 59 studies reported pH as an outcome of interest – almost double that of the next highest outcome, bruising (n=35). Muscle pH was most assessed with predictors at the abattoir (n=37); conversely, the effects of transportation were most evaluated on bruising (n=23).

Discussion

A trend across all the categories was that there were relatively few studies evaluating the impact of pre-transport factors on meat quality. Charting the relevant literature is a critical step towards understanding the relationship between pre-slaughter management and end-product quality; doing so will help industry stakeholders in the beef production chain optimize management practices that improve meat quality and enhance profitability.

Pre slaughter handling of cattle: the availability of water during the lairage period

A comparison was made of the effect of providing or denying water to steers during the last 20 h before slaughter on carcase weight, bruising, muscle pH, and during the dressing process on the numbers of rumens from which ingesta was split and the number of heads and tongues condemned because of contamination with ingesta. All cattle were offered water from arrival at the abattoir until the start of the treatment period. In one experiment the steers were rested for 24 or 48 h after a 120 km journey before being slaughtered, while in a second experiment they rested for 66 h after a 725 km journey. Giving steers access to water until they were slaughtered did not affect adversely carcase weight, bruise score, muscle pH or the incidence of ingesta spillage from rumens. The number of condemned heads and tongues was not consistently related to the availability of water. In the absence of any adverse effects it is recommended that cattle be provided with water during the lairage period.