ISBCW 2016:
Bruising During Transport
Trailer design has changed little over the years, but cattle size has, resulting in an increase in bruising down the backline.
by Troy Smith, field editor
MANHATTAN, Kan. (June 9, 2016) — Kansas State University veterinarian and researcher Tiffany Lee believes significant strides have been made in improving beef cattle welfare. However, an aspect that she considers deserving of more attention is bruising of beef cattle carcasses as a result of physical trauma experienced prior to slaughter. In Lee’s opinion, the incidence of bruising among fed cattle is significant enough to have serious economic implications for the beef industry, as well as being a welfare concern.
In Tiffany Lee’s opinion, the incidence of bruising among fed cattle is significant enough to have serious economic implications for the beef industry, as well as being a welfare concern.
During the International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare (ISBCW), hosted June 8-10 in Manhattan, Kan., Lee explained research exploring the relationship between traumas sustained when cattle were unloaded at a packing plant, and bruising among carcasses from the same cattle. The study involved approximately 9,800 head delivered to three different slaughter facilities.
According to Lee, trained observers recorded all potentially traumatic events occurring as animals exited the trailer, and, subsequently, the prevalence and location of carcass bruises. Nearly 70% of carcasses exhibited bruises, with more than half located along the dorsal midline.
“Generally, there was a relationship to the prevalence of traumatic events at unloading and the relationship was stronger with the incidence of bruising along the dorsal midline,” said Lee. “There was a significant correlation between trauma incurred at unloading and carcass bruising, especially bruising along the back.”
Lee noted the opportunity for animals to experience trauma along the length of their backs, when entering and exiting the belly compartment of typical “fat-feeder combination trailers.” While the maximum height of the compartment is 66 inches (in.), clearance is nearer 55 in. at the ramp area where cattle enter and exit. In trailers designed specifically for finished cattle, the overall belly height is 69 in. and the entrance-exit area has 57 in. of clearance.
According to Lee, ramp brackets in the entrance-exit areas of trailers typically are rubbed clean by contact with animals’ backs, raising suspicion that trauma from contact with ramp brackets contributes to linear bruising resulting along the dorsal midline of carcasses.
While cattle trailer design has changed little over the decades, cattle have changed in frame size and musculature. However, Lee reported that a trailer manufacturer has produced some fed-cattle trailers with a different deck and ramp configuration allowing more than 62 in. of clearance.
“I would like to resume studies to include a comparison of new and old trailer designs and their potential contribution to trauma and prevalence of carcass bruising,” stated Lee.
Watch for additional coverage of the 2016 ISBCW on www.angus.media and in the Angus Journal and Angus Beef Bulletin. Comprehensive meeting coverage will be archived at www.api-virtuallibrary.com/meetings_other_news.html.
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