Enhancing the value of meat inspection records for broiler health and welfare surveillance: longitudinal detection of relational patterns

Background Abattoir data are under-used for surveillance. Nationwide surveillance could benefit from using data on meat inspection findings, but several limitations need to be overcome. At the producer level, interpretation of meat inspection findings is a notable opportunity for surveillance with relevance to animal health and welfare. In this study, we propose that discovery and monitoring of relational patterns between condemnation conditions co-present in broiler batches at meat inspection can provide valuable information for surveillance of farmed animal health and welfare. Results Great Britain (GB)-based integrator meat inspection records for 14,045 broiler batches slaughtered in nine, four monthly intervals were assessed for the presence of surveillance indicators relevant to broiler health and welfare. K-means and correlation-based hierarchical clustering, and association rules analyses were performed to identify relational patterns in the data. Incidence of condemnation showed seasonal and temporal variation, which was detected by association rules analysis. Syndrome-related and non-specific relational patterns were detected in some months of meat inspection records. A potentially syndromic cluster was identified in May 2016 consisting of infection-related conditions: pericarditis, perihepatitis, peritonitis, and abnormal colour. Non-specific trends were identified in some months as an unusual combination of condemnation reasons in broiler batches. Conclusions We conclude that the detection of relational patterns in meat inspection records could provide producer-level surveillance indicators with relevance to broiler chicken health and welfare.

Abattoir Factors Influencing the Incidence of Dark Cutting in Australian Grain-Fed Beef

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carcass traits, lairage time and weather conditions during lairage and abattoir factors that impact the incidence of dark cutting in 142,228 grain-fed carcasses, as defined by Meat Standards Australia (MSA) guidelines. This study was conducted over a 12-month period analysing data from cattle that were supplied from seven feedlots and processed at three abattoirs. Abattoir data indicated that the average incidence of dark cutting within the study was 2.8%. Increased wind speeds (WSs) and rain during lairage at the abattoir was associated with an increased risk of dark cutting, whereas variation in ambient temperature and/or relative humidity did not influence dark cutting. Heavier carcasses with whiter fat, larger hump heights, more rib fat, higher marble scores and lower ossification had lower incidences of dark cutting. The factors abattoir, time in lairage, time to grading and grader within Abattoir had significant effects on the incidence of dark cutting. The results from this study suggest that reducing the time in lairage and increasing the time between slaughter and grading are the two major ways to reduce dark cutting in MSA carcasses.

Cysts and parasites in an abattoir in Northwest Ethiopia; an urgent call for action on “one health”

Introduction: Zoonotic parasitic infections such as echinococcosis affect cattle, sheep and goats by lowering quality of meat and hides as well as decreasing milk production. The burden of such diseases among humans is usually underestimated as they are difficult to diagnose. We used abattoir data to estimate the prevalence of zoonotic parasitic infections in animals. Methodology: Data from 2005-2018 was used from the registry of an abattoir in Northwest Ethiopia. Frequencies, proportions and trends over time were analyzed. Meat inspection was conducted by visualization, palpation and incision. Results: A total of 58,787 animals were slaughtered in the abattoir during the study period. These included 51,956 (88 %) cattle, 5,890 (10%) sheep and 941 (2%) goats. The detected parasites included Echinococcus in 12,334/58,787 (21%) and Fasciola in 10,551/58,787 (18%) animals. Echinococcus infection was highest among goats (267/941, 28%), followed by cattle (11,591/51,956, 22%) and sheep (476/5,890, 8%). Fasciolosis was detected in 9,877/51,956 (19%) cattle and 178/941 (19%) goats. The number of animals slaughtered strongly decreased over time from 8,405 in 2006 to 1,605 in 2018. However, the proportion of parasitic infections remained high with some fluctuations over the study period. Conclusions: Echinococcosis and fasciolosis were very common with one out of five animals slaughtered infected. This is of public health concern and needs urgent multi-sectorial efforts from stakeholders at the national and regional level for control of these diseases. One health program approaches may warrant the control of transmission to humans.

The effect of four commercial broiler hybrids and the season on occurrence of broiler condemnations in the abattoirs

ABSTRACT: Condemnations in the broilers abattoirs can represent an overview farms health and effectiveness of welfare programs, as well as predisposition between hybrids. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of condemnation among four commercial broiler hybrids and the oscillation of condemnations in different seasons in a poultry abattoir. Data from condemnations of the Federal Inspection Service of a slaughterhouse were analyzed during one year, in which a total of 12.81% of partial condemnations were observed and total condemnations represented 0.41% of slaughtered broiler. There was a difference in total and partial condemnation among the hybrids evaluated, with Hubbard hybrid being the one with the highest number of condemnations (0.67% - 17.71%), followed by Ross 95 (0.42% - 14.21%), Cobb (0.30% - 10.03%); and Cobb Fast (0.26% - 9.29%). The analysis between the seasons showed a higher conviction rate in winter and a lower rate in autumn for both total and partial condemnation. Hubbard had the highest rates and Cobb Fast the lowest for most causes of condemnation. We concluded that the metabolic cause led to higher losses by total condemnation, while contamination or technopathies represented the highest rates in partial losses. The broiler hybrid and the time of year may influence the causes of condemnation in the abattoir. This information should be considered by the abattoir and the farms in sanitary planning, considering the financial impact due to losses by condemnations of carcasses.

Cattle and sheep farmers’ opinions on the provision and use of abattoir rejection data in the United Kingdom

BackgroundCommunication between farmers and veterinary surgeons is reported to differ when involving abattoir rejection data on cattle or sheep.MethodsUsing surveys, distributed online and on paper at livestock markets, this study describes the interest and positive opinion of a sample of UK cattle and sheep farmers in receiving abattoir data.ResultsForty-nine per cent of respondents always received abattoir data (n=37/76). Over 80 per cent of respondents were interested in all suggested rejection conditions and particularly liver fluke and respiratory conditions. Eighty-two per cent of farmers were willing to share data with their veterinary surgeon as the information could be used to inform health plans.ConclusionThe study findings indicate that having an accurate and consistent data system, which is easily accessible to farmers and veterinary surgeons, appears an essential next step to improve the use of existing abattoir data and enhance animal health, welfare and production.

PSI-12 Performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef heifers managed in a bedded hoop barn versus an open feedlot in Central Missouri

There is strong interest in feeding cattle in Missouri, but climatic extremes warrant exploring indoor management systems. Therefore, our objective was to compare performance and carcass characteristics of finishing beef heifers managed in a bedded hoop barn versus an open feedlot. On February 14, 2018, a total of 60 (297.5 ± 34.53 kg BW) crossbred beef heifers were allocated randomly to two pens (4.8 m2 per head) in a hoop-barn (Indoor; n = 30) and to two pens (27 m2 per head) in an open feedlot (Outdoor; n = 30). Heifers had ad libitum access to a commercial feedlot ration and water. Heifers were weighed at the start, approximately every 30 d, and at the end of the study and then were transported and harvested in two groups based on visual BF evaluation at a commercial abattoir. Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Start and final BW and final gain did not differ (P ≥ 0.32) between treatments. However, d 28 BW, final ADG, and d 119 gain tended (P ≤ 0.12) to be greater from Indoor compared to Outdoor. Also, d 58, d 89, and d 119 BW and d 28, d 58, d 89, and d 119 ADG, and d 28, d 58, and d 89 gain were greater (P ≤ 0.07) from Indoor compared to Outdoor. All carcass measurements were similar (P ≥ 0.40) between treatments. Therefore, finishing cattle in a bedded hoop barn may improve some performance measurements without impacting carcass quality and yield attributes. Hoop barns appear to be a viable consideration for finishing beef cattle in Missouri. This project was funded by the Missouri Department of Agriculture’s Missouri Agricultural Foundation Beef Initiative Grant Program.