Risk Factors Associated with Bruises in Beef Cattle Carcasses

Area of Science:

• Animal Science
• Food Science
• Veterinary Public Health

Background:

• Bruising in beef cattle carcasses is a significant issue linked to pre-slaughter handling and transport.
• It impacts animal welfare and meat quality, necessitating research into contributing factors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify key factors associated with bruising in a large-scale analysis of Brazilian beef cattle carcasses.
• To understand the relationship between animal demographics, transport conditions, and bruise prevalence.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 19.4 million cattle carcasses from 42,805 farms to 38 slaughterhouses in Brazil.
• Logistic regression models were employed to assess the influence of sex, age, transport distance, and truck class on bruising.
• Bruise prevalence and location were systematically recorded.

Main Results:

• 33.8% of carcasses exhibited at least one bruise.
• Older animals and females showed a higher prevalence of bruising.
• Smaller trucks and longer transport distances were associated with increased bruising risk, with distinct regional patterns observed.

Conclusions:

• Findings underscore the need for improved transport logistics and handling practices to mitigate bruising in beef cattle.
• Targeted interventions are recommended to reduce bruise incidence and enhance animal welfare and meat quality.
• The study provides valuable data for the Brazilian beef industry to address carcass bruising.