Transport For Slaughter Research Articles

Reduction of Escherichia coli O157 and non-O157 O groups in the feces of commercial feedlot cattle using a high-dose of NP51, a Lactobacillus-based pre-harvest intervention

Lactobacillus acidophilus strain NP51 is a commercially available direct-fed microbial. This specific direct-fed microbial is recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) to be a pre-harvest management control and intervention option for the reduction of Escherichia coli (E. coli) O157:H7 in cattle. The addition of NP51 to cattle diets at a dose of 109 /head/day (high dose) has been proven to reduce E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella in cattle feces. Currently, there has been no research conducted on the impact of feeding NP51 and the reduction of the “Big Six” non-O157 O serogroups which include E. coli O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145 in cattle feces. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the impact of NP51 fed at a dose of 109/head/day on the reduction of E. coli O157:H7 and six non-O157 O serogroups in cattle feces in two separate cattle feeding studies. Both studies were randomized complete block design. In one study, conducted in a commercial feedlot, approximately 1,800 cattle were blocked by weight and randomized into treatment and control pens. The pens contained 75 head/pen and included 12 control pens and 12 treatment pens. The control pens included cattle not fed NP51 and treatment pens included cattle supplemented with 109 CFU/head/day NP51 (Bovamine Defend®). Twenty-five fecal pats were taken from each pen (n = 600 samples) prior to transport for slaughter. In the research feedlot study, 112 head of cattle were blocked by weight and randomized into treatment or control pens at the Texas Tech University Research Feedlot. The pens included 14 control pens and 14 treatment pens and four head per pen. Fecal grabs were collected from each animal (n = 112 samples) prior to transport for slaughter. All samples were analyzed for the presence E. coli O157 using Immunomagnetic separation (IMS) and the genes that encode for the “Big 6” non-O157 serogroup (E. coli O26, O45, O103, O111, O121 and O145) antigens using a commercially available real time PCR system (BAX Q7, DuPont Qualicon, Wilmington, DE). Quantitative estimates were derived from fecal samples that were positive for E. coli O157 using direct-plating and MPN analysis. Generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the qualitative data and general linear mixed models were used to analyze the quantitative data. In the commercial feedlot study, a significant (44%) reduction of E. coli O157 in fecal samples was observed when comparing control groups to treatment groups (P = 0.001) in that E. coli O157 was recovered from 15.7% of the treatment cohort and 28.0% of the control cohort. Overall E. coli O157 enumeration resulted in a significant reduction of 0.33 log10 CFU/g when comparing control and treatment groups (P = 0.1). Of the “Big Six” Non-O157 serogroups, results indicated a reduction in O serogroups O26, O45, O103 and O121 with a reduction of 52.7% (P = 0.02), 36.0% (P = 0.001), 33.0% (P = 0.03) and 42.0% (P = 0.02), respectively. In the research feedlot…

Influence of crate height during slaughter transport on the welfare of male turkeys

1. Poultry are usually transported in crates which provide the birds with very limited space. Slaughter transport of male turkeys is often carried out using crates that are 40 cm or less in height where it is not possible for them to stand up. There is little information on how this physical restriction over many hours affects the birds. 2. The aim of the study was to compare the welfare of male turkeys transported in crates 40 cm and 55 cm in height. Observations on the birds’ behaviour during lairage, carcass damage and meat quality were carried out after four commercial slaughter transport journeys. 3. Birds in 40 cm crates panted more and lay down more than birds in 55 cm crates during lairage. A large percentage of the carcasses had some damage. Significantly more birds from the 55 cm crates had scratches on their backs than birds from the 40 cm crates. There was no significant difference in meat quality between birds transported in the two crate heights. 4. Both positive and negative effects of increased crate height were established and there is no evidence from this study that merely increasing crate height improves turkey welfare. Other solutions should therefore be sought in order to improve the welfare of birds during transport.

Current practices on sheep and beef farms in New Zealand for depriving sheep of feed prior to transport for slaughter

AIM: To assess current practices on sheep and beef farms that deprive sheep of feed prior to transport to facilitate effluent management and processing at slaughter. METHODS: A national telephone survey of 122 sheep and 346 sheep and beef farmers was conducted in March and April 2010. They were asked how long sheep were held off green feed prior to transport and why, what environment the sheep were held in, and if that period ever varied. RESULTS: Of the 468 respondents, 303 (65%) removed their sheep from green feed 3–12 h before transport for slaughter, with longer periods reported in the South than North Island. The main reasons given were to reduce the volume of effluent for transport operators (n=174), to prevent wool staining during transport (n=173), and that sheep were better suited to load and travel empty (n=171). Water was provided during feed deprivation by 313 farmers. The period of food deprivation could be altered in response to requirements of transporters and processors, the weather, and by the class of stock involved, although 115/468 (25%) farmers stated that they never changed their normal protocol. CONCLUSIONS: Amongst survey respondents, common practices compared favourably with recommendations to reduce effluent during transportation. Previous studies have investigated the effects of fasting lambs whilst in lairage prior to slaughter and focussed on carcass quality such as carcass weight and tenderness. Changes in liveweight and gastrointestinal tract contents suggest feed deprivation reduces the risk of defaecation and urination contributing to the accumulation of effluent during transport and of carcass contamination during processing. However, the point at which that risk is acceptable to transport and processing is unclear. Fasting results in physiological changes indicative of altered metabolism but it is not clear when those changes are indicative of adaptation to food deprivation or metabolic depletion and compromised welfare. There may be opportunities to improve the logistics of livestock preparation, transport and processing.

Transport of cattle in Spain: Technical, administrative and welfare aspects according to the destination

To obtain a thorough description of how are cattle transported in Spain with respect to the journey destination a survey was performed in 2004 and 2005. Information was obtained by means of a 119-parameters questionnaire, and 44 transport operators representative of the sector (27 slaughterhouses, 10 traders, and 7 cattle markets) were interviewed. Over 80% of journeys transported growing-finishing/finished animals, and about 3% of journeys transported both growing-finishing/finished and reproductive animals. With respect to farm transports, slaughter transports loaded in fewer farms (1.2 vs. 1.4 farms; p<0.05) and in most cases animals were not fasted (92.9 vs. 24.3%; p<0.001). Slaughter transports were short, 125 km and 2.5 h on average, with farm transport duration being double (p<0.001), although 21% of slaughter transports lasted more than 8 hours, and 1.7% lasted more than 29 hours. Farm journeys transported more animals and stocking densities were higher (p<0.001), although most of drivers affirmed that it was possible to transport more animals in a suitably manner. Only 2.3% of slaughter transports were carried out using 2 drivers, and 80% of slaughter transports made no stops, substantially differing with what was observed in farm transports (p<0.001). The driver participated in the loading and unloading of animals, normally assisted by another person except for the unloading at slaughterhouses (40%). Average loading and unloading times in farm transports were about 60 and 30 minutes respectively, double than slaughter transports (p<0.001), although average loading and unloading time/animal were slightly higher in slaughter transports (3.1 and 1.4 minutes/animal respectively). Transport showed a limited effect on physical integrity of cattle, although a trend towards higher number of deaths and lesions was observed in slaughter transports. Transports were mainly carried out by specialized hauliers under request (60%), with vehicle being owned by the trader in 30.5% of farm transports, and by the farmer in 27% of slaughter transports (p<0.001). Drivers had an average experience of 17 years. Independently form destination; transport companies did not make research activities, with few of them performing training courses (8%). The compliance with a quality scheme was mainly declared by hauliers bound to a slaughterhouse, while load insurance was mainly contracted by traders. A high percentage of drivers declared to know animal welfare legislation, which this is not totally obeyed, and that laws should be closer to real circumstances. Almost half of slaughter transport drivers showed no interest in proposing improvements in current legislation, with proposals mainly being the need to being more informed and a better knowledge on the basis of the transport stops aspect.

Auditing animal welfare at slaughter plants

The OIE Welfare Standards on slaughter transport, and killing of animals for disease control are basic minimum standards that every country should follow. The OIE, European Union, and many private standards used by commercial industry have an emphasis on animal based outcome standards instead of engineering based standards. Numerical scoring is used by both private industry and some governments to access animal welfare at slaughter plants. Five variables are measured. They are: 1) Percentage of animals effectively stunned on the first attempt, 2) Percentage rendered insensible, 3) Percentage that vocalize (bellow, moo, squeal) during handling and stunning, 4) Percentage that fall during handling, and 5) Percentage moved with an electric goad. Each one of these critical control points measures the outcome of many problems. A good animal welfare auditing system also has standards that prohibit really bad practices such as dragging, dropping, throwing, puntilla, and hoisting live animals before ritual slaughter. On farm and transport problems that can be measured at the slaughter plant are: percentage of lame animals, percentage of thin animals, percentage of dirty animals, percentage with sores, bruises or lesions, death losses, morbidity, and percentage of birds with broken wings and legs.

Short as well as long transport duration can affect the welfare of slaughter pigs

AbstractAttention to the welfare of animals during slaughter transport and lairage at the abattoir is important not only to consumers, but also to the meat production industry. Inadequate transport conditions can result in higher animal mortalities and meat quality problems after slaughter of such animals. In the present study the development of mortality rates both during and after the transport of slaughter pigs, and the incidence of pathological findings, was investigated. It could be shown that the percentage of animals which died during transport and in lairage clearly decreased between 1999 and 2003. This improvement was due mainly to the reduction of animal losses in the summer season where the highest losses over the investigated years occurred. Considering the duration of the transport it could be shown that not only very long (8 h), but also short journeys (1 h) can affect the welfare of animals with increased mortalities and pathological findings during the veterinary inspection at the slaughterhouse, particularly in the summer season. The results presented indicate that the tightening of European animal welfare legislation concerning loading, transport, unloading and lairage of slaughter pigs improved mortality rates and the incidence of pathological findings. Another reason could be a reduction of the percentage of stress susceptible pigs in the porcine population. However, until now the regulations on animal welfare during pig slaughter transport focused only on long-term journeys; the results presented show that short journeys can also affect the welfare of the animals.

Comparison of Mortality Rates in Different Categories of Pigs and Cattle during Transport for Slaughter

The death of animals during transport for slaughter is a major factor indicating the level of welfare in transported animals. However, research data that report the level of animal welfare as reflected in transport-related mortality rates of individual animal species and categories are missing. The present study focused on losses of pigs and cattle in the period from 1997 to 2006. Transport-related mortality rates were recorded by species and categories of animals and also for the following travel distances: up to 50 km, 51-100 km, 101-200 km, 201-300 km, and over 300 km. Rates differed according to species and category. The highest mortality rates were found in young sows, sows, and boars (0.2562%) followed by fattened pigs (0.1075%), excluded dairy cows (0.0396%), calves (0.0269%), and fattened cattle (0.0069%). Significant differences were found among mortality rates (p &lt; 0.05). The lowest mortality rates occurred with shorter travel distances (&lt; 50 km and 51-100 km) when compared to long travel distances (101-200 km, 201-300 km and &gt; 300 km), with a significant difference (p &lt; 0.05) between short and long travel distances being found in fattened pigs, fattened cattle and dairy cows. Mortality rates in animals during transport for slaughter show young sows, sows, and boars to be the most susceptible to transport-related stress, followed by fattened pigs, dairy cows, and calves, whereas the highest resistance was observed in fattened cattle.

Mortality Rates in Poultry Species and Categories during Transport for Slaughter

Transport-related mortality rates were compared for various poultry species and categories where published data are limited. The numbers of broilers, hens and cockerels, turkeys, ducks, and geese transported for slaughter, and the numbers that died during such transport, were recorded from 1997 to 2006 in cooperation with the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic. The mortality rate for individual poultry species and categories was calculated overall, and was also recorded for the following transport distances: up to 50 km, from 51 km to 100 km, from 101 km to 200 km, from 201 km to 300 km, and over 300 km. Transport of poultry for slaughter was accompanied by varying mortality rates depending on poultry species and categories. The highest mortality rates occurred in hens and cockerels (1.013%), followed by turkeys (0.272%), broilers (0.253%), ducks (0.103%), and geese (0.056%). Differences among the mortality rates estimated were highly significant (p &lt; 0.001). Mortality rates highly correlated with transport distance. The lowest mortality rates were for the shortest transport distances: In broilers (0.154%), turkeys (0.164%), and hens and cockerels (0.595%) for a transport distance up to 50 km; and in ducks (0.069-0.111%) and geese (0.021 - 0.053%) for transport distances up to 300 km. Highest mortality rates in hens and cockerels (1.892%), turkeys (0.341%), and broilers (0.536%) were observed for transport distances over 200 km, while in ducks (0.147%) and geese (0.253%), highest mortality rates were with transport distances exceeding 300 km. The highest mortality rates for all transport distances were in hens and cockerels, followed by turkeys and broilers. The mortality rate in turkeys for a transport distance up to 50 km was significantly higher than that in broilers. No significant differences were found between mortality rates in turkeys and broilers for transport distances of 51-100 km and 101-200 km whereas, for a distance of 201-300 km and in distances exceeding 300 km, the mortality rates in broilers were significantly higher compared to turkeys. The lowest mortality rates were observed in ducks and geese, with a significant difference between them only for transport distances of 51 to 100 km, where the mortality rate in ducks was higher, and over 300 km, where the mortality rate in geese was higher. When planning the transport of poultry for slaughter, susceptibility to stress induced by transport and transport distance (i.e. the duration of transport) of poultry species and categories should be considered.

Effect of Calf Diseases on Mortality during Transport for Slaughter

The aim of this study was to determine the general effect of calf diseases on the mortality rate in connection with a journey distance and, furthermore, to determine the tendency of development in this field. During the period of 1997 - 2004 inspectors of the State Veterinary Administration in the Czech Republic recorded the number of healthy calves transported for standard slaughter and numbers of calves that died in connection with this transport; furthermore, they recorded numbers of diseased calves transported for emergency slaughter and numbers of calves that died in connection with this transport. The calf mortality rate in connection with transport for standard slaughter and in connection with transport for emergency slaughter was 0.026% (29/113144) and 3.266% (2260/69207), respectively. The mortality rate during transport for emergency slaughter is considerably higher, an expression in the form of a ratio index is 127.4. The total number of calf deaths during transport for slaughter significantly increased (p &lt; 0.01) due to calf diseases. The effect of the journey distance on calf mortality in connection with transport was manifested as follows: during transport up to 50 km the recorded mortality rate was 0.019% for standard slaughter and 3.029% for an emergency one. In case of a longer journey distance, up to 200 km, a higher mortality rate was detected, namely 0.110% for standard slaughter and 5.177% for an emergency one. Due to diseases the number of calf deaths during transport up to 50, 100 and 200 km significantly increased (p &lt; 0.01). A long-term tendency concerning increase or decrease of calf disease effect on the mortality rate in calves during transport for slaughter depending on individual years of the period monitored was not proved. Calf disease significantly decreases calf welfare during their transport for slaughter and considerably increases number of calves that died in connection with transport for slaughter.

Biosecurity in 116 Danish fattening swineherds: descriptive results and factor analysis

Biosecurity measures are important for the herd's protection against diseases and also to provide nationwide protection against the introduction of exotic diseases. In this paper, we describe the farmers’ choices and routines regarding biosecurity in Danish fattening herds. Overall, 116 Danish swine fattening herds in three areas of different pig density were interviewed. Of these herds, 78% purchased weaners from one sow herd only, whereas 10% purchased from >5 sow herds during 1 year. Large herds (>500 finishers) purchased weaners more often than smaller herds (≤500 finishers). Only two swine producers purchased weaners from a market. Almost all herds (95%) received weaners from one sow herd at one time, and only one herd received from >5 sow herds in one batch. Twenty-one percent did not use an effective barrier between the loading area and the stables when delivering pigs for slaughter. Entry rooms (in which clothing and boots are changed) were common at the farm, and the numbers of visitors were generally low (<10 visitors a year). Factor analysis was performed to find underlying structures of the biosecurity measures in the herd; four factors were chosen (eigenvalue > 3.10). A site scoring high on factor 1 was a large SPF herd, which received weaners from a single source, had biosecurity requirements for the transport vehicles, and had a high level of biosecurity for visitors. A site scoring high on factor 2 was a multi-site farm, which had personnel working on more than one of the sites, only received weaners from one sow herd, had delivering herds placed close to the participating site, and transported animals themselves. A site scoring high on factor 3 was a site which hired commercial transport for slaughter, was situated far from the abattoir and had a high level of biosecurity when loading pigs. A production site scoring high on factor 4 was a large site, which used all-in/all-out management, washed and disinfected between each group, and purchased many weaners.

Effect of feeding pasture-finished cattle different conserved forages on Escherichia coli in the rumen and faeces

The effects of eight different pre-slaughter diets on gut microflora, pH and dry matter were evaluated in 112 slaughter-weight, pasture-finished heifers. Hide dirtiness at slaughter, plasma cortisol, meat pH and stickiness, and liveweight loss, were also examined. The pre-slaughter diets were: 48 h of 100% meadow hay, lucerne hay, red clover hay, perennial ryegrass hay, haylage, haylage supplemented with maize silage, pasture, or 24 h fasting before transport. Fasted animals had the highest counts of rumen Escherichia coli and Enterobacteria compared to other treatments ( P<0.001), while red clover hay and haylage had the lowest ( P<0.05). Faecal E. coli counts were also highest for fasted animals ( P<0.05). Rumen E. coli and Enterobacteria counts were positively correlated with rumen pH ( P<0.001), and negatively correlated with fibre intake ( P<0.001). Diet significantly affected the pH of both the rumen and faeces ( P<0.001), with fasted animals having the highest rumen pH and haylage and red-clover hay-fed animals the lowest. Dry matter (%) of the rumen contents was also significantly affected by diet ( P<0.001). The mean carcass weight of fed heifers was 5 kg heavier than that of the fasted heifers ( P<0.05). A pH/volatile fatty acid (VFA) dependent mechanism is suggested as the major mode for E. coli suppression by feeds used in the study. Coumarins may have contributed to lower ruminal and faecal E. coli counts with E. coli counts negatively correlated with expected coumarin ingestion ( P<0.01). Feeding pasture-fed cattle conserved herbaceous forages, in preference to fasting, before transport for slaughter may prove beneficial in reducing the risk of carcass contamination with E. coli and other bacteria of digesta and/or faecal origin, and in protecting carcass weight.

Welcome; The revolution in horsemanship; Equine welfare and emerging social ethics; The role of the equine practitioner in disasters; The pregnant mares' urine industry—management and research; Racing; Animals in rodeo—a closer look; The Horse Protection Act—a case study in self-regulation; Equine slaughter transport—update on research and regulations; Who speaks for the horse—the sport of endurance riding and equine welfare; Urban

"Welcome; The revolution in horsemanship; Equine welfare and emerging social ethics; The role of the equine practitioner in disasters; The pregnant mares' urine industry—management and research; Racing; Animals in rodeo—a closer look; The Horse Protection Act—a case study in self-regulation; Equine slaughter transport—update on research and regulations; Who speaks for the horse—the sport of endurance riding and equine welfare; Urban carriage horses 1999—current status and concerns" published on 01 Apr 2000 by American Veterinary Medical Association.

Behaviour, growth performance and pork quality of pigs differing in porcine stress syndrome genotype receiving dietary magnesium aspartate hydrochloride

Frequency of behavioural activities, growth performance and pork quality were determined for pigs with homozygous-normal (NN) or heterozygous-carrier (Nn) genotypes for porcine stress syndrome receiving dietary supplementation of magnesium aspartate hydrochloride (MAH). One hundred and forty-two pigs, 67.2 ± 1.2 kg, were assigned by genotype and gender to one of three dietary treatments. The pigs were fed a conventional cereal-based pelleted diet (Control), supplemented with a long-term, low-level (LL-MAH; 5 mg kg−1 BW for 43 ± 3 d) or short-term, high-level (SH-MAH; 40 mg kg−1 BW for 7 d) of MAH before slaughter. Supplementation of MAH did not significantly affect the behaviour of pigs before or after transport for slaughter with the exception of SH-MAH-fed pigs showing a higher (P &lt; 0.05) frequency of pre-transport aggression. Pigs with the Nn genotype were, in general, more active 1 h before slaughter showing a higher frequency (P = 0.001) of aggression. Average daily gain of LL-MAH-fed pigs was higher (P &lt; 0.05) than for those pigs fed the Control and SH-MAH diets. Pigs receiving both levels of MAH had lower (P &lt; 0.05) longissimus thoracis (LT) muscle lean depth. In terms of pork quality, there were significant diet-by-genotype interactions. For pigs with the NN genotype, SH-MAH caused higher (P &lt; 0.05) ultimate pH, lower muscle temperature and lower shear value of the LT. For pigs with the Nn genotype, MAH at both levels lowered (P &lt; 0.05) glycogen content and subjective structure score of the LT, but ultimate pH, muscle temperature and lactate content were higher (P &lt; 0.05) than those of Controls. Efficacy of MAH supplementation to pigs appears to be highly dependent on diet and genotype. Key words: Pigs, porcine stress syndrome, magnesium, pork

Bruising in cattle fasted prior to transport for slaughter.

Three trials, each with 100 bullocks previously grazing improved pasture, compared bruising in cattle fasted for 0, 24 and 48 hours prior to transport for slaughter. Overall the weight of bruised trim from unfasted bullocks (0.48 kg) was significantly less (P less than 0.01) than from bullocks fasted for 24 h (0.99 kg) or 48 h (1.03 kg). length of fast overall had no significant effect. This pattern was not consistent within trials.