Effect of finishing diet and lairage time on steers welfare in Uruguay.

DEL CAMPO, M. - SOARES DE LIMA, J.M. - BRITO, G. - MANTECA, X. - HERNÁNDEZ, P. - MONTOSSI, F.

Resumen:

Simple Summary: The transport and general handling of slaughter animals are associated with a series of events that cause stressful and unfavorable conditions that can compromise animal welfare. All these stressful events start at the farm and end with the death of the animal. In this experiment, we evaluated the effect of two finishing strategies and two contrasting lairage times through the combination of several indicators regarding productivity, physiology, behavior and postmortem variables. Individual temperaments and their impact on welfare and carcass quality were also considered. Animal welfare was not compromised in any diet during the finishing period. Individual temperament had a positive impact on the productivity and on all physiological indicators at different preslaughter stages. For that reason, we consider that it should be given paramount importance when talking about animal welfare. According to our results, with pasture-based animals, without fasting on the farm and after a short time of transportation (3.5 h), a longer preslaughter resting time (15 vs. 3 h) is desirable from the animal welfare perspective. Furthermore, our results suggest that this longer resting period, would also be more convenient from the carcass quality perspective.


Detalles Bibliográficos
2021
STRESS RESPONSE
TRANSPORT IN CATTLE
LAIRAGE TIME
TEMPERAMENT
Inglés
Instituto Nacional de Investigación Agropecuaria
AINFO
http://www.ainfo.inia.uy/consulta/busca?b=pc&id=62092&biblioteca=vazio&busca=62092&qFacets=62092
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