Carcass Trim Research Articles

Association of liver-abscess presence and severity with trim loss, slaughter yield, carcass grading performance, lung lesions, and value of fed-Holsteins*

ObjectiveOur objective was to evaluate the effects of liver abscesses on carcass characteristics and value of Holstein carcasses. Materials and MethodsFed-Holsteins were evalu- ated at 2 commercial processing facilities in Texas (n = 1,073) and Kansas (n = 1,070) from fall of 2016 through spring of 2017. Liver abscesses were visually assessed and scored; simultaneously, lungs were manually palpated to assess degree of consolidation and fibrin tag formation, to assess their association with liver abnormality. Finally, carcass trim was weighed from carcasses moved off line for zero tolerance trimming. Carcass and viscera values were assigned using USDA market reports and adjusted based on viscera condemnations along with premiums and dis- counts for quality and yield outcomes. Data were analyzed using the MIXED and GENMOD procedures of SAS v9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) with carcass as the experi- mental unit. Results and DiscussionHot carcass weight was re- duced (−25.1 kg, −6.6%) in carcasses that had an ad- hered and open liver abscess as compared with carcasses without abscessed livers. Carcasses with adhered, open, or adhered and open liver scores had increased carcass trim (0.72, 3.92, and 3.39 kg, respectively) when compared with carcasses without abscessed livers (0.38 kg). Similarly, carcasses with adhered, open, or adhered and open liver scores returned gross carcass revenues that were 5.0% to 6.4% less (–$97.69, –$93.86, and –$121.22/carcass, re- spectively) than carcasses without abscessed livers. Liver abscesses reduced gross offal values of individual animals by 20% to 84% depending upon severity. Implications and ApplicationsFed-Holsteins have been a significant portion of the beef industry, even though Holsteins have increased rates of severe liver ab- scesses compared with their non-dairy-reared equivalents. Therefore, methods to control liver abscesses should be employed, to mitigate the greater financial risk that Hol- steins and dairy-reared animals incur to both cattle feeders and beef processors.

Investigation of Factors Associated with Leg Trimmings at Processing: A 12-Year Review.

Gastrocnemius tendon injury or rupture is a common consequence from various etiologies and conditions in poultry production. The occurrence of tendon injury can cause significant morbidity and lameness in chickens, as well as quality downgrades and increased trimming on carcasses at processing. In this study, 12 yr of data from a poultry processing plant on leg trim only were compiled and analyzed. The association between grower, season, shift, and time were investigated in relation to the prevalence of ruptured tendons and carcass condemnations. A total of 8585 separate data entries from 195 growers were analyzed. Problem flocks were defined as those that had a carcass trimming rate of the percentage change equal to or above the 95th percentile of all data points (0.603%). We identified 430 instances of high trimmings in this study period, involving 90 growers. Of those, eight growers had 10 or more problem flocks in the study period. Overall, there were no differences in trimming rates due to shift; however, problem flocks had a higher trimming rate (percentage) during the night shift. A significantly higher rate of carcass trimmings was noted in the winter months. In problem flocks, a second and lower peak of a higher trimming was also observed in August. There was an upward trending carcass trimming that peaked in 2014, and it trended downward each year through 2020 overall. However, when the problem flocks were excluded, the trimming rate percentage change of trimming decreased slightly from 2008 to 2012 and remained steady through 2020. In conclusion, this study was able to demonstrate noninfectious causes that may be associated with increased leg trimmings and consequently made it possible to narrow down management practices to help decrease the instances of leg trimmings in the processing plant.

Impact of Antimicrobial Carcass Washes and Processing Techniques on Quality Attributes of Beef Frankfurters.

The objective of this study was to determine the impact of antimicrobial carcass washes on beef trim in the production of frankfurters. Twenty-four beef carcasses had different antimicrobial wash treatments (TRTs) randomly applied during the harvest procedure: 82 °C water (CON), peroxyacetic acid (PAA), or lactic acid (LA). Frankfurters were produced using carcass trim at two different batter temperature processes (PROC): 4 °C (LTP) and 21 °C (HTP). Frankfurters were analyzed for processing yield (PY), emulsion stability (ES), instrumental external and internal color (CIE L*, a*, b*), purge loss, texture, and sensory analysis. TRT had very little impact on frankfurter characteristics with a difference found in ES water and instrumental hardness (p < 0.05). PROC impacted ES water, ES fat, PY, instrumental springiness, external and internal color, sensory hardness, cohesion, and juiciness (p < 0.05). However, no TRT × PROC interactions were found to be significant (p > 0.05). These data indicate that antimicrobial carcass washes had little impact on frankfurter quality, while the processing technique impacted several frankfurter quality characteristics. This indicates that processors can impact frankfurter composition via processing techniques without concern of antimicrobial washes influencing frankfurter quality.

Prevalence and Genotyping of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli from Ovine Carcasses in New Zealand

A pilot survey was performed to determine the prevalence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli on three age classes (lamb, hogget, and mutton) of ovine carcass trim postdressing and prechill. Sampling of hogget carcasses was undertaken 6 months before sampling of lamb and mutton carcasses. A total of 120 trim samples were collected from 11 processing plants across New Zealand. All samples were enriched and screened using PCR for the presence of C. jejuni and C. coli, and isolation was attempted for all screen-positive samples. Enumeration of Campylobacter from lamb trim samples showed that Campylobacter bacteria were present in very low numbers (<10 CFU/g). The overall prevalence of Campylobacter for ovine trim based on PCR detection was 33% (39 of 120 samples), with prevalences for hogget, lamb, and mutton carcass trim of 56% (28 of 50), 11% (4 of 35), and 20% (7 of 35), respectively. Whole genome sequencing was performed on a selection of C. jejuni and C. coli isolates, and the data were used to subtype using multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and whole genome MLST. Twenty-five MLST sequence types (STs) were identified among 44 isolates, including ST42, ST50, ST3222, and ST3072, which have been previously reported to be associated with ruminant sources. Four novel STs were also identified. Whole genome MLST analysis further discriminated isolates within a single ST type and demonstrated a genetic diversity among the ovine isolates collected. Genes associated with the oxacillinase class of β-lactamase enzymes were identified in 41 of 44 Campylobacter isolates. This study provides preliminary data that can be incorporated into existing source attribution models to assist in determining the potential contribution of ovine sources to the burden of campylobacteriosis in New Zealand.

313 New insights on liver abscess syndrome in cattle using metagenomic investigations

Abstract Liver abscess syndrome (LAS) is a well-recognized and important problem for beef production in all types of cattle. LAS has been shown to be associated with decreased growth efficiency and lower carcass quality, in addition to losses associated with carcass trimming and condemnation of materials at slaughter. The etiopathogenesis of LAS has traditionally attributed a few bacterial species as being the principal causes (Fusobacterium necrophorum, and Trueperella pyogenes), based on the theory that these bacteria are translocated from the rumen into portal circulation, allowing them to seed the liver. Research regarding the pathogenesis and prevention of LAS has long been limited to data derived from culture-based investigations. Advances in genomic sequencing provide tremendous opportunities for re-evaluation of traditional perspectives on LAS. Recent metagenomic investigations of liver abscesses conducted by our research team have found that liver abscesses are far more polymicrobial than previously believed, suggesting that the etiology is more complex than previously believed. This presentation will present data from culture-based investigations and those using metagenomic sequencing as we re-evaluate traditional dogma regarding LAS.

314 Updating the acidosis-rumenitis-liver abscess disease complex dogma of feedlot cattle

Abstract The pursuit of a reduction in liver abscess disease prevalence in feedlot cattle is of great importance to animal health management and beef industry stakeholder profitability. Disease effects are multifaceted, but primarily materialize in lost feedlot performance, liver condemnation, and reduced carcass weight and quality grade. The impact is further magnified by the increased prevalence of severe, A-plus liver score type disease that is associated with carcass trim and condemnation as well as increased days on feed due to reduced average daily gain and diminished feed conversion. Liver abscess disease in cattle has long been considered to be caused by damage to the ruminal lining (rumenitis) subsequent to ruminal acidosis, followed by translocation of bacteria across the ruminal wall into the portal venous circulation, and culminating in colonization of the liver for abscess formation(s). As a result of bacterial culture frequency, Fusobacterium necrophorum ssp. necrophorum is widely considered the primary etiology even though numerous other bacteria have been isolated from liver abscesses. However, the acidosis-rumenitis-liver abscess disease complex is more complicated than the decades-long, widely accepted dogma. Portions of this are still accurate, but there is much to be learned about the pathobiology of this disease relative to where the etiological agent(s) are translocating from the gastrointestinal tract into the portal venous circulation to evade the host immune responses and multiply in the liver to form an abscess(es). To better understand the pathophysiology of this disease, recent research has been focused on model development and monitoring the time course of liver abscess formation in the live animal. Therefore, the objective of this presentation will be to highlight results of model development efforts and diagnostics to help further elucidate the challenges the beef industry faces for improving industry knowledge for the pathogenesis of liver abscess disease in feedlot cattle.

318 Bovine liver abscess complex: Likely causes and tested solutions

Abstract The liver abscess (LA) complex is commonly associated with high energy, limited roughage rations. Aggressive grain processing increases starch availability, leading to increased lactic acid production and lower rumen pH, potentially causing lactic acidosis. Rumen lesions may result from repeated bouts of lactic acidosis, likely allowing penetration of bacteria into the bloodstream, and have been associated with incidence of LA. Additionally, consumption of sharp objects can cause penetration of rumen epithelium and likely promote bacterial entry into the bloodstream. Research has successfully induced LA in both cattle and sheep from intraportal infusion of Fusobacterium necrophorum. F. necrophorum is a gram-negative, non-sporeforming anaerobe commensal to the rumen that likely enters the liver via the portal vein due to a damaged rumen wall. F. necrophorum has a plethora of virulence factors that support LA formation; however, recent research has indicated that LA contain polymicrobial cultures, and some have questioned if bacteria other than F. necrophorum can cause LA. Liver abscesses are not solely limited to animals on a high-energy diet; they have also been documented in cull beef-type and dairy-type cows. Production losses from LA are associated with reduction in dry-matter intake, average daily gain, gain:feed, live weight, hot carcass weight, dressed carcass yield, and subcutaneous fat depth, concomitant with increased carcass trim. To reduce the incidence of LA, cattle feeders typically include tylosin in the diet; multiple studies have reported a 20 to 38 percentage point reduction in the incidence of LA present at slaughter. Four additional antibiotics (bacitracin, chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, virginiamycin) are approved for the prevention of LA. Feeding antibiotics to food animals is a contemporary social issue with limited societal support. Tested alternatives to antimicrobial control for LA include vaccination with F. necrophorum leukotoxoid or bacterin, feeding essential oils, enzymatic feed treatment, and feeding yeast fermentation products.

Quantifying disease and defect carcass losses at processing to improve feedback in the lamb supply chain: an arthritis case study

Context Lamb producers are currently limited in their ability to make informed on-farm management changes with respect to disease and defects identified at processing. This is due to the limited accuracy and detail of information included in disease and defect feedback supplied by processors. Increasing transparency of the feedback can allow producers to make more informed on-farm decisions, and, subsequently, improve productivity and animal welfare. Aims Using arthritis as a case study, the aim was to develop a scoring system that estimates hot standard carcass weight (HSCW) losses due to trimming at processing, so as to improve feedback to lamb producers. Methods An observational cross-sectional study was conducted at a southern New South Wales commercial processing facility, over 6 months and in five week-long blocks, from 21 February 2019 to 5 July 2019. Carcass trim components removed due to the presence of arthritis (shank or leg) were recorded for 217 of the 42164 lamb carcasses processed. Utilising average lot HSCWs, the total proportion of HSCW lost due to arthritis trimming (TPL) was calculated for each arthritic carcass. Linear regression analysis, with a logit-transform of TPL, was fitted to the data. Key results Processing lot and trim-component category were found to be significant (P &amp;lt;&amp;lt; 0.001) explanatory variables for variation in TPL. Trim-component categories that were not significantly (P &amp;gt; 0.05) different were combined, with final categories being assigned arthritis trim scores as follows: 1, any forequarter shank; 2, any hindquarter shank; 3, any forequarter leg; and 4, any hindquarter leg. At an over-the-hooks carcass price of AU$7.83/kg and an average HSCW of 23.13 kg, these scores were used to estimate producer revenue losses per carcass (range AU$2.95–AU$18.08). Conclusions The accuracy and detail of information provided as feedback to lamb producers can be improved. For arthritis, this can be achieved using a trim-scoring system. Implications Altering feedback to include HSCW losses for processed lots in both kilograms and dollars against the associated disease or defect will better equip producers to make cost-effective on-farm management changes and reduce the impact on the lamb supply chain.

From unloading to trimming: studying bruising in individual slaughter cattle.

Livestock bruising is both an animal welfare concern and a detriment to the economic value of carcasses. Understanding the causes of bruising is challenging due to the numerous factors that have been shown to be related to bruise prevalence. While most cattle bruising studies collect and analyze data on truckload lots of cattle, this study followed a large number (n = 585) of individual animals from unloading through postmortem processing at five different slaughter plants. Both visual bruise presence and location was recorded postmortem prior to carcass trimming. By linking postmortem data to animal sex, breed, trailer compartment, and traumatic events at unloading, a rich analysis of a number of factors related to bruise prevalence was developed. Results showed varying levels of agreement with other published bruising studies, underscoring the complexity of assessing the factors that affect bruising. Bruising prevalence varied across different sex class types (P < 0.001); 36.5% of steers [95% confidence interval (CI): 31.7, 41.6; n = 378], 52.8% of cows (45.6, 60.0; 193), and 64.3% of bulls (no CI calculated due to sample size; 14) were bruised. There was a difference in bruise prevalence by trailer compartment (P = 0.035) in potbelly trailers, indicating that cattle transported in the top deck were less likely to be bruised (95% CI: 26.6, 40.4; n = 63) compared to cattle that were transported in the bottom deck (95% CI: 39.6, 54.2; n = 89). Results indicated that visual assessment of bruising underestimated carcass bruise trimming. While 42.6% of the carcasses were visibly bruised, 57.9% of carcasses were trimmed due to bruising, suggesting that visual assessment is not able to capture all of the carcass loss associated with bruising. Furthermore, bruises that appeared small visually were often indicators of larger, subsurface bruising, creating an “iceberg effect” of trim loss due to bruising.

Waste management and practices in a slaughterhouse in Abeokuta Nigeria: Case study, implications and alternative methods

The waste management operations at a main slaughterhouse (SH) in Ogun State was assessed. Waste generated included condemned organs, carcasses, ruminal contents, hair, hoofs, horns, faeces, blood and carcass trimmings which are poorly utilized. Solid wastes were observed as open dumps within SH facilities, while waste water was discharged in a nearby river, which also served butchers as main water source for meat washing. The unhygienic disposal of solid and liquid waste are potential threats to food safety, environment (air, surface and groundwater) and public health and some operable waste utilization strategies were described.Keywords: Alternative methods; Environment; Public health; Slaughterhouse; Waste management

Current situation of meat-related waste genera ted by free state abattoirs, South Africa

Legislation exists which prescribes specific waste disposal methods, especially for condemned products, but financial constraints prohibits its implementation. Current legislation requires independent meat inspection but it is not yet applied at all abattoirs and will take a considerable period of time before it is in place. Meat inspection does not serve any pwpose if condemned products returns to the food chain. Waste management practices at the different grades of abattoirs (Grades A to E) will be assessed and interviews with management will be used to predict the associated health risks to the community and the meat industry. Results obtained, will be used to construct a model to recommend the most suitable waste management system for each grade of abattoir in the Free State Province. This model would be appropriate for other provinces in South Africa. Spoilage bacteria and pathogenic bacteria are found on the surfaces of meat products. Pathogenic bacteria can cause illness when these products are consumed (Aberle, et.al., 2001). Food borne illnesses are a world-wide phenomena that also play a role in South Africa. Duse (2002) quoted the Department of Health statistics indicating that in the period of January to June 1998 there were 110 cases of food poisoning and 3 deaths and in 1999 127 cases reported and 0 deaths occurred. A large variety of bacterial genera have been recovered from red-meat, poultry and their products for example, Actinobacter, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Aalmonella, Zersinia, and Streptococcus. An increase in amounts ofwaste are generated all over the world. Abattoirs are one of the industries that contribute to the problem of possible food-borne diseases and potential health hazards associated with food, especially meat (Bradshaw, et.al. 1992). Waste generated by abattoirs include condemned organs and carcasses, blood, hides, paunch content and carcass trimmings. Condemned products and carcasses, unsuitable for human consumption, are eaten by ,,cavengers" or persons living off refuse sites, and could cause a significant health problem which could lead to disease and death.Current economic conditions force under- privileged communities to seek any possible source of food and some of the sites frequented are landfill sites, dumping grounds and disposal sites used by abattoirs (Personal communication, Derbyshire, 2003),

Hail Bruising of Fed Cattle

On May 25, 1999, a storm producing hail approximately 1 ¾ to 3¾ inches in diameter crossed over a feed yard. On four occasions following the storm, 409 carcasses from six pens were observed at an abattoir. On day 1, 29 carcasses were examined at the abattoir and in the grading cooler. On days 10, 15, and 49, additional cattle (n = 117, 173, and 90, respectively) were examined at the abattoir only. On day 16 following the first storm, a second storm, producing approximately 1 ¾-inch-diameter hail, crossed over the feed yard. Bruises were classified into three size categories, into short- and long-duration categories, and location was recorded. One hundred, 85, 54, and 44% of the carcasses exhibited bruises on days 1, 10, 15, and 49, respectively. On days 1, 10, 15, and 49, 100, 98, 65, and 27% of bruises were classified as short-duration. Multiple bruises were observed on 100, 75, 42, and 16% of carcasses on days 1, 10, 15, and 49, respectively. Storms producing hail approximately 3¾ inches in diameter have the potential to cause extensive bruising in cattle in open feed yards. Cattle sold within 15 days of such storms may experience significant hail-associated carcass trim loss, but by day 49 bruising appears to return to baseline levels.

Effect of alpha-tocopherol acetate and ascorbic acid on performance, carcass traits, and incidence and severity of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle.

Liver abscesses (LA) in cattle negatively affect feedlot performance by decreasing ADG, feed intake, and G:F ratio. Abscessed livers are condemned and abdominal adhesions associated with LA can result in extensive carcass trimming during harvest, further compounding adverse economic impact. Given regulatory changes pertaining to the use of in-feed antibiotics in cattle production, there is growing interest in alternatives to antibiotics for LA control. The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of antioxidants, crystalline ascorbate (AOX), and alpha-tocopherol acetate, for mitigation of LA in feedlot cattle. Yearling crossbred heifers (n = 392; initial BW 481 ± 9.4 kg) were blocked by previous treatment and allocated randomly to 24 dirt-surfaced feedlot pens (10 m × 35 m) with 14 heifers/pen. Heifers were weighed, implanted with Component TE-200 implants, and placed into feeding pens. Finishing diets consisted of 60% steam-flaked corn, 30% wet corn gluten feed, 8% alfalfa, and 2% supplement (DM basis) that provided 300 mg/d monensin, and either 200 IU/d alpha-tocopherol acetate (CTL) or 2,000 IU/d alpha-tocopherol acetate plus 500 mg/d crystalline AOX. Heifers were fed once daily ad libitum for 94 d, then weighed and transported 450 km to a commercial abattoir for harvest. Hot carcass weight and incidence/severity of LA were determined the day of harvest, and carcass traits were evaluated following 36 h of refrigeration. Compared to CTL, feeding AOX tended to decrease DMI (10.66 vs. 10.31 kg/d; P = 0.08) and improve G:F (0.1204 vs. 0.1254; P = 0.12), but did not impact ADG, incidence of LA (25.6 vs. 23.5% for CTL and AOX, respectively), HCW (828.4 vs. 830.5 kg for CTL and AOX, respectively), or other carcass traits (P > 0.20). In conclusion, feeding antioxidants are not a viable alternative to decrease incidence of LA in finishing cattle.

Benchmarking New Zealand Carcass Quality and Yield Characteristics

ObjectivesNew Zealand’s current carcass classification system focuses on dentition, sex, fat depth, hot carcass weight, and overall muscling, but limited information is collected or available pertaining to carcass quality attributes. The objective of this study was to perform carcass assessments to determine quality and yield traits to establish a beef carcass benchmark in New Zealand.Materials and MethodsCarcass data from steers and heifers were collected at 3 different times of year (August, 2012; November/December, 2012; April, 2013) at 3 commercial abattoirs, representing 3 geographical regions (Hawke’s Bay, Canterbury, and, Otago) of New Zealand, to characterize carcass quality and yield traits. All carcasses were classified based on the current New Zealand carcass classification system. In addition, 3 Texas Tech University (TTU) personnel trained in carcass assessment, were each stationed at one plant during each assessment period and performed daily assessments on all carcasses presented for grading. The traits collected included 12th rib fat thickness, ribeye area, hot carcass weight (HCW), calculated USDA yield grade (YG), dressing percent (calculated using live weight and carcass weight after standard carcass trim and removal of internal fat, when both weights were available), hump height, dentition (number of permanent teeth), pH, marbling score, and skeletal/lean maturity (USDA, 1997). Data were summarized in SAS using PROC MEANS and PROC FREQ (SAS Inst. Inc., Cary, NC).ResultsData were collected on 17,758 carcasses, with the following frequencies for gender: steer (72%), heifer (28%). The means for USDA skeletal maturity was A58 and the mean for USDA lean maturity was B07. Frequencies for skeletal maturities were A, 94.4%; B, 4.9%; and C or greater, 0.7%. The mean for USDA marbling score was Select80. Marbling score distribution was Slightly Abundant or greater, 1.6%; Moderate, 2.3%; Modest, 4.9%; Small, 26.1%; Slight, 51.3%; and Traces or less, 13.9%. The mean USDA calculated YG was 2.0 ± 0.6; frequencies for YG distributions were YG 1, 48.5%; YG 2, 43.1%; YG 3, 7.4%; and YG 4 or greater, 1%. Means for other traits were: fat thickness, 6.4 ± 4.4 mm; ribeye area, 71.8 ± 9.6 cm2; HCW, 297.9 ± 44.6 kg; dressing percentage, 54.6 ± 2.6%; dentition, 3.1 ± 1.8 permanent teeth; hump height, 44.9 ± 10.2 mm; and pH 5.57 ± 0.17. The frequencies for pH were Normal (< 5.8), 94.4%; High (≥ 5.8%), 5.6%.ConclusionThis was the first benchmark study measuring carcass characteristics, particularly those impacting carcass and eating quality. Information from this survey will establish a baseline for carcass traits and identify areas for improvement to help drive progress in the New Zealand beef industry. The results of this survey represent a benchmark, which could be used to evaluate the efficacy of livestock improvement programs in the future.

Effects of tail docking and tail biting on performance and welfare of growing-finishing pigs in a confinement housing system.

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of tail docking on the welfare and performance of victimized pigs by tail biting and tail biters. Pigs ( = 240; 25.7 ± 2.9 kg average weight), including 120 pigs that were tail docked at birth and 120 pigs that remained with intact tails, were used. Pigs were housed in 8 pens of 30 pigs in a confinement barn for 16 wk, with 4 pens each housing pigs of both sexes with docked or intact tails. Tail biters and victimized pigs with damaged tails were identified during outbreaks of tail biting. Growth performance was monitored, and skin lesions on the tail, ears, and body were assessed. Blood samples were collected from focal tail biters, victimized pigs, and nonvictimized pigs for analysis of total serum protein, IgG, and substance P concentrations. When pigs were marketed, carcass weights and the number of pigs with carcass trim loss were recorded. During the growing-finishing period, 48% of pigs with docked tails and 89% of pigs with intact tails experienced lesions on their tails, including 5% of docked pigs and 30% of intact pigs identified as victimized pigs that experienced puncture wounds with signs of infection on their tails or loss of tails ( < 0.001). Victimized pigs tended to gain less weight ( = 0.07) between 17 and 21 wk of age than other pigs when tail biting prevailed in this study. Victimized pigs were more frequently ( = 0.04) sold for less than full value and had a lower dressing percentage ( < 0.001) compared with nonvictimized pigs. For victimized pigs, total serum protein and IgG concentrations were elevated 5 d after tails were injured, suggesting that tail damage can cause inflammation, which may lead to carcass abscesses and trim loss. Compared with victimized pigs and nonvictimized pigs, tail biters had lower total serum protein ( = 0.01) and IgG ( = 0.01) concentrations, indicating that tail biters may experience poor immune functions. Results of this study demonstrated that tail docking reduced tail damage in pigs kept in a confinement system. Tail damage can cause inflammation and reduce the value of market pigs. More research is needed to test whether compromised immune functions predispose pigs to tail biting.

Risk assessment of intervention strategies for fallen carcasses in beef slaughter establishments

In the slaughter establishment, cattle carcasses move along the line attached to a slaughter chain. Cattle carcasses fall off the slaughter chain infrequently, but such an event results in carcasses potentially contaminated with bacteria that exist on floors and equipment. Microbes in the feces and ingesta of slaughtered livestock as well as microbes on the hide surfaces of those livestock contaminate the slaughter environment. This environment often will include important foodborne pathogens, such as Escherichia coli O157:H7. This analysis uses a risk assessment modeling approach to assess the potential public health effects of standardizing treatments for carcasses that fall off the slaughter chain at dehiding. This assessment examines combinations of six intervention options: 1) water rinse, 2) organic acid rinse, 3) trim, 4) organic acid rinse and trim, 5) carcass trimming and cook, 6) condemn the carcass. Potential improvement in public health results from progressive removal of the least effective of these intervention options. The results of this analysis indicate that the number of annual human E. coli O157:H7 illnesses avoided varies based on intervention type—organic acid rinsing (281), carcass trimming (787), organic acid rinsing plus trimming (1533), trimming plus cooking (1539), and carcass condemnation (1520). The model suggests that the numbers of illnesses prevented are largest and similar when either the organic acid plus trim, trim plus cook, or condemn interventions are set as the minimum. This conclusion was robust to sensitivity analysis of various uncertainties in the model. Interestingly, it was found that a universal condemnation of fallen cattle was not a necessary intervention. Although it was assumed that most large slaughter establishments currently implement a trimming plus cooking intervention for all fallen carcasses, the model suggests there is little difference among the three best interventions.

Incidence and severity of Arcanobacterium pyogenes injection site abscesses with needle or needle-free injection

Nursery-age pigs (n=198) were used to evaluate the difference in abscess formation at needle-free jet and conventional needle-and-syringe injection sites. Needle-free jet injection was used to administer injections in the neck and ham on one side of the animal whereas needle-and-syringe was used for neck and ham injections on the opposite side. Immediately prior to injection, the injection site surfaces were contaminated with an inoculum of Arcanobacterium pyogenes. Each pig was humanely euthanized 27 or 28days after injections. Histopathological results showed that needle-free jet injection was associated with more abscesses than needle-and-syringe injection at both neck (P=0.0625) and ham (P=0.0313) injection sites. Out of 792 injection sites, only 13 abscesses were observed, with 12 of those present at needle-free jet injection sites. Needle-free jet injection may increase the occurrence of injection site abscesses that necessitate carcass trimming at pork processing plants.

A retrospective study on the prevalence of ostrich carcass and organ condemnations in Botswana

A retrospective study on the prevalence of ostrich carcass and organ condemnations in Botswana was conducted by reviewing meat inspection records available at the Botswana Ostrich Company Abattoir in Gaborone for the 3 year period that the abattoir had been in operation. The most frequently condemned organs were lung (85.1%), liver (8%), intestine (3.3%), heart (2.7%) and kidney (0.8%). The most frequently encountered macroscopic findings were contamination (80%), congestion (10%), enteritis (3%), haemorrhage (2%), pigmentation (2%), white spots on the liver (1%) and peritonitis (1%). The frequencies of the various macroscopic findings on all the organs increased over the 3 years of the study. Ninety-five percent (95%) of the findings were all abattoir associated, especially the external contamination of organs (80%). The 5% that were acquired during the lifetime of the birds included enteritis, peritonitis and white spots on the liver. No whole carcass condemnations or carcass trimmings were recorded, nor where there any zoonotic causes of condemnation.

Lesions attributed to vaccination of sheep with Gudair™ for the control of ovine paratuberculosis: post farm economic impacts at slaughter

To determine i) the prevalence of lesions at the site of vaccination with Gudair, and ii) the incidence of discounting of slaughtered sheep carcasses due to the presence of these lesions. A survey of the prevalence of injection lesions and actual discounts applied to 20 consignments of vaccinates slaughtered in abattoirs in New South Wales. Consignments of sheep previously vaccinated against ovine Johne's disease (OJD) were assessed on the slaughter chain for the prevalence of vaccination site lesions and any costs associated with carcass trimming were estimated. In addition a telephone survey was conducted to determine the experiences and risk attitudes of 8 abattoirs in south east New South Wales likely to have previously processed vaccinates. The prevalence of lesions observed was 18% for adult (mutton) and 65% for lamb carcasses. The value of the trim removed was insignificant, the labour cost of its removal was nil and no carcass was downgraded to a lower value grade. Under the market conditions existing at the time the study was conducted, in sheep vaccinated at the recommended site high on the neck, it is unlikely that OJD vaccination site lesions will be a significant cost to producers or the processing industry and will represent only a very small proportion of the total cost of OJD control by vaccination.

Waste management practices at the Bodija abattoir, Nigeria

Because of high rates of resource consumption, cities face serious problems of high volumes of waste, characterized by inadequate disposal technologies, high costs of management, and the adverse impact of wastes on the environment. Abattoirs, or slaughterhouses, are a major source of water and air pollution worldwide. Waste generated by abattoirs in Nigeria includes condemned organs, carcasses, blood, hides, horns, hoofs, hairs, paunch content and carcass trimmings. The main waste disposal practice at Bodija abattoir is dumping. This paper assesses the environmental and public health implications of unhygienic waste disposal. The waste management at the Bodija abattoir is aesthetically unappealing, environmentally unsustainable and also makes the meat processed and offered for sale unwholesome. Waste disposal techniques of developed countries have been appraised. Recommendations to encourage the safe disposal of abattoir waste and limit the methods of disposal to those internationally permitted are suggested.