Effect of parity segregation on Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection dynamics and pneumonic lesions in pigs

ABSTRACT: Gilts represent a group risk for Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae vertical transmission in swine herds. Therefore, parity segregation can be an alternative to control M. hyopneumoniae infections. The study evaluated the effect of parity segregation on M. hyopneumoniae infection dynamics and occurrence and severity of lung lesions at slaughter. For that, three multiple site herds were included in the study. Herd A consisted of the farm where gilts would have their first farrowing (parity order (PO) 1). After the first farrowing PO 1 sows were transferred to herd B (PO2-6). Herd C was a conventional herd with gilt replacement (PO1-6). Piglets born in each herd were raised in separated nursery and finishing units. Sows (n = 33 (A), 37 (B), 34 (C)) in all herds were sampled prior to farrowing and piglets (n = 54 (A), 71 (B), 66 (C)) were sampled longitudinally at 21, 63, 100, 140 days of age and at slaughter for M. hyopneumoniae detection by PCR and lung lesions scoring. M. hyopneumoniae prevalence in sows did not differ among herds. Prevalence of positive piglets was higher at weaning in the PO1 herd (A) (P < 0.05). However, prevalence of positive pigs from 100 days of age to slaughter age was higher in the PO2-6 herd (B) (P < 0.05). Lung lesion occurrence and severity were higher in herd B. The authors suggested that the lack of a proper gilt acclimation might have influenced the results, leading to sows being detected positive at farrowing, regardless of the parity.

EFFECTS OF SLAUGHTER’ AGE ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE, CARCASS AND NON-CARCASS COMPONENTS TRAITS OF BERBER BREED LAMBS

The objective of this work was to study the lamb’s growth, the carcass yield and composition and the importance of main organs of Berber lambs slaughtered at 4 or 6 months. The study concerned 40 lambs reared under motherhood. Lambs of the first group were slaughtered at the age of 4 months (4M) and the second at 6 months (6M). Slaughter body weights (BW), hot and cold carcass weights and organs were recorded. The carcass was cut out and dissected. The average BW at birth was 4.14 + 0.506 kg while the BW at slaughter was 22.86 kg + 3.40 and 31.51 + 3.50 kg for 4M and 6M groups, respectively. The average daily gain were 172 and 164g for 4M and 6M groups, respectively. Therefore, during 2months the lambs of 6M group gained 8.67 kg in BW. The carcasses were heavier for 6M than 4M. The carcass commercial yields were 42% and 45% for 4M and 6M groups, respectively, resulting in 4.1 kg gain of meat during 2 months. The tissular (muscle, fat and bone) and the regional (leg, shoulder …) carcass composition did not differ among groups. All organs were heavier for 6M than 4M; however, their proportion in the empty body weight were variables. The BWand carcass gain at six months are encouraging to prolong the lamb’s slaughter age without carcass composition difference given the similar fat proportion in the carcass of both groups.

Market weight, slaughter age, and yield grade to determine economic carcass traits and primal cuts yield of Hanwoo beef

The full text of this preprint has been withdrawn by the authors as it was submitted and made public without the full consent of all the authors. Therefore, the authors do not wish this work to be cited as a reference. Questions should be directed to the corresponding author.

Market weight, slaughter age, and yield grade to determine economic carcass traits and primal cuts yield of Hanwoo beef

ObjectiveThis study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between market weight, slaughter age, yield grade, and primal cut yield in Hanwoo. MethodsA total of 403 Hanwoo (Korean native cattle) was assessed for carcass traits such as carcass cold weight, backfat thickness, ribeye area, dressing percentage, yield index, and marbling score. The production yield of the individual major primal cuts of Hanwoo beef was also measured. FindingsCarcass cold weight, ribeye area, and backfat thickness, which affect meat quality increased with increased market weight (p<0.05). The production yield of the ten major primal cuts also increased with increased market weight (p<0.05). In terms of slaughter age, carcass cold weight, ribeye area, and backfat thickness all increased from 25 months to 28-29 months, and the production yield of all prime cuts also increased with increasing slaughter age. According to the meat yield grade, carcass cold weight and backfat thickness increased from grade A to grade C, although the ribeye area was not affected. The combined findings of the study suggest that slaughtering Hanwoo at the weight of 651-700 kg and 701-750 and age of 28.23 and 29.83 months might be desirable to achieve the best quality and quantity grade of Hanwoo beef. However, the positive correlation of carcass cold weight and backfat thickness, and the negative correlation of the yield index according to primal cuts yield indicated that it is necessary to couple the slaughtering management of cattle with improved genetic and breeding method of Hanwoo to increase the production yield of the major prime cuts of Hanwoo beef.

The effect of slaughter age and sex class to carcass characteristic of Red Brahman Crossbred Cattle

This research was conducted to examine the effect of slaughter age and sex class to carcass characteristic from Red Brahman Crossbred Cattle. The research materials were 126 heads (grouped by slaughter age (<1,5 years, 2-2,5 years, and 3 years) and sex class (bull and steer)) with taken from KASA Company, rested for 12-24 hours, and slaughtered in AM FARM abattoir with halal MUI slaughter methods. The research method was used field experiment. The data of research were analysis by using Complete Randomized Factorial Design (2X3) and Duncan Multiple Range Test if there were differences. Parameters of carcass characteristic were slaughter weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, carcass components percentage (meat, bone, fat), MBR, MFR, rib eyes area, and 12th fat thickness of ribs. The results of this research showed that slaughter age and sex class has significantly (P<0,05) affect to slaughter weight and hot carcass weight. Interactions of slaughter age and sex class has significantly (P<0,05) affect dressing percentage, bone and meat percentage, MBR and MFR, and has not significant (P>0,05) rib eyes area and fat thickness. From these results, it can be concluded that slaughter age and sex class affect carcass characteristics of Red Brahman Crossbred Cattle.

Quality of carcasses and meat from male and female rabbits

Meat from rabbits offers high nutritive properties as it has high levels of essential amino acids, minerals and vitamins. Rabbit meat is also regarded lean, since it contains less fat than many other meat types. The composition of rabbit meat lipids is also favourable due to higher contents of unsaturated fatty acids compared to other types of meat. The aim of the present study was to examine and compare meat quality from male and female rabbits. A total of 24 rabbits (12 males and 12 females) were used. The rabbits were slaughtered at an age of 17–18 weeks. The following parameters were studied: slaughter traits, colour, pH, cooking loss, tenderness, total fat content and water holding capacity (WHC). Interestingly, the ultimate pH was significantly lower in male compared to female rabbits (p = 0.008). Moreover, cooking losses were higher in the meat from male rabbits (p = 0.001). No other relevant differences were found between meat from male and female rabbits suggesting that sex might be regarded as a minor factor in the production of rabbit meat at the chosen slaughter age.

New highly productive russian cross of broiler chicken “Smena-9”

Relevance. The increasingly high volumes of poultry production predetermined a necessity in the constant targeted selection of poultry, advancement of the existing crosses and development of new lines and crosses with high genetic productivity potential which can be sustainably realized in the regions with different climatic and economic conditions.Methods. The productive performance of new russian cross “Smena-9” was assessed in relation to the productivity in cross “Smena-8” and to the different slaughter ages in the commercial-like conditions of the Center for Genetics & Selection “Smena”.Results. The selection of the preparental and parental lines of the new cross “Smena-9” resulted in the improvements of the mortality rate (lower by 0.8%), live bodyweight at 35 days of age (higher by 10.3%), dressing percentage (by 0.9%), breast filet yield (by 0.8%), feed conversion ratio (lower by 4.8%) in broilers of “Smena-9” cross as compared to “Smena-8”. These improvements, in turn, resulted in higher by 16.7% European productive efficiency index (EPEF). At slaughter age 5 weeks the output of meat per parental hen in “Smena-9” cross was 307.6 kg while in “Smena-8” it was 274.9 kg (lower by 11.9%). At slaughter age 6 weeks average daily weight gains in “Smena-9” broilers (74.0 g/bird/day) was higher in comparison to 5 weeks (63.4 g/bird/day) while feed conversion ratio increased from 1.67 to 2.12 kg/kg, resulting in the decrease in the EPEF from 382 to 345 points. The sensory evaluation of meat and broth of “Smena-9” broilers revealed high average scores. The conclusion was made that new cross “Smena-9” can be effectively used in the commercial broiler production.

The Implications of Changing Age and Weight at Slaughter of Heavy Pigs on Carcass and Green Ham Quality Traits

Italian dry-cured ham production requires pigs to be slaughtered at 160 ± 16 kg at 9 months of age (control, C). The study explored three alternatives, based on different feeding conditions: (1) allowing pigs to express their growth potential by letting them reach 160 ± 16 kg slaughter weight (SW) at younger slaughter age (SA) (younger Age, YA); (2) allowing pigs to express their growth potential by maximizing their SW at 9 months SA (greater weight, GW); (3) increasing the SA required to reach 160 ± 16 kg SW (older age, OA). Pigs (336 C21 Goland, 95 kg initial body weight) were slaughtered on average at 257, 230, 257, and 273 d SA and 172.7, 172.3, 192.9, and 169.3 SW kg for the four treatments, respectively. C pigs had an average daily gain (ADG) of 715 g/d and feed efficiency (FE) of 0.265 (gain to feed). Compared to C, YA pigs had higher ADG (+32%), FE (+7.5%), and better ham adiposity; GW pigs had higher carcass weight (+12%), ADG (+25%), trimmed ham weight (+10.9%), and better ham adiposity. OA treatment affected ADG (−16.4%), FE (−16.6%), and trimmed ham weight (−3.6%). YA and GW could be promising alternatives to C as they improved FE and ham quality traits.

Quantitative carcass characteristics and quality of shoulder and loin of crossbred goat kids receiving diets with live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii)

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of live yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii) on the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the shoulder and loin of Boer x Saanen crossbred goat kids. Twenty-seven carcasses were used, 13 females and 14 uncastrated males with an average age of 192 days, weighing 30.76 kg, distributed in a completely randomised design using a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement (diet and sex). The yeast was added to the feed before pelletising in a proportion of 0.050 g/kg dry matter (DM). When the goats reached an average of 30 kg of live weight, they were slaughtered. No effects of live yeast on quantitative carcass and qualitative characteristics of shoulder and loin were observed. Regarding sex, males had higher slaughter weights (31.73 kg), empty carcass weight (27.98 kg), hot carcass weight (14.39 kg), cold carcass weight (14.22 kg), higher carcass compactness index (0.28 kg/cm), lower slaughter age (176 days) and lower cooling loss (1.20%). For the cut yields, females presented a higher loin yield (11.55%) and males presented a higher neck yield (6.84%). In the shoulder, males presented a higher proportion of bone (18.58%), while females presented a higher proportion of fat (17.09%) and muscle:bone (3.47). In the loin, females showed higher fat deposition (19.54%) in relation to males. The inclusion of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae var. boulardii in the crossbred goat kids’ diet did not generate differences in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the shoulder and loin.