Search Results (241)

Bruises in beef cattle carcasses are important indicators related to pre-slaughter handling and transport conditions, with implications for animal welfare and meat quality. This study analysed 19.4 million cattle carcasses transported from 42,805 farms to 38 slaughterhouses in Brazil to identify factors associated with bruising. Logistic regression models were used to assess the effects of sex, age, transport distance from farm to industry, and truck class. At least one bruise was found in 33.8% of the analysed carcasses. Older animals had a greater prevalence of bruising, and females were the most affected. The relationship between transport distance and bruising varied across carcass regions, showing distinct patterns rather than a uniform trend. Compared with larger-capacity vehicles, smaller trucks increased the risk of bruising. The round, rump, and flank regions presented the greatest number of bruises. The models assessing individual effects demonstrated good overall performance, with accuracy ranging from 75% to 82% in identifying bruises. The best performance was observed for round-rump, likely due to the higher frequency of bruises in these cuts. These findings highlight the need to improve transport logistics, adopt better handling practices, and implement specific interventions to reduce bruising. Full article

This study investigated the effects of genotype and sex on carcass traits, myosin heavy chain (MyHC) isoforms, and meat quality in pigs raised under Thai commercial conditions. Fifty pigs (25 barrows and 25 gilts) from five genotypes—purebred Duroc (D), LWLR1 (Large White_old × Landrace_old), LWLR2 (Large White_new × Landrace_new), DLWLR1 (Duroc × LWLR1), and DLWLR2 (Duroc × LWLR2)—were slaughtered at ~110 kg body weight. LWLR1 is traditional maternal line, whereas LWLR2 is a newly selected line for higher intramuscular fat (IMF). Significant genotype × sex interactions were observed for dressing percentage, carcass length, bone percentage, purge loss, pH₂₄, and L* (lightness) (p < 0.05). The Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle of Duroc pigs showed the lowest pH₄₅ and shear force but highest IMF, whereas LWLR1 pigs exhibited higher crude protein, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and flavor-enhancing nucleotides. The LL muscle of LWLR2 and DLWLR2 pigs showed greater expression of MyHC I and IIA, as well as calpain 1 (CAPN1), calpain 2 (CAPN2), and calpastatin (CAST) genes. In contrast, Duroc pigs had the highest MyHC IIX and lowest IIB expression, opposite to patterns in LWLR1 and DLWLR1. Principal component analysis revealed distinct genotype-based clustering, emphasizing the influence of maternal lineage on pork quality and offering valuable insights for genetic selection strategies. Full article

The objective of this paper is to study and analyze an integrated anaerobic digester (AD)–solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system, to achieve an energy-efficient waste-to-energy solution. A detailed numerical modeling is developed for plant dimensioning and energy evaluations. The calculation pathway involves determining operational parameters based on specific variables such as the net electric power produced by the SOFC system or the amount of biogas produced by the AD. Three types of biomass—sewage sludge, slaughter waste, and the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW)—are considered. The reactor volume required is approximately 24,000 m³ per 1 kg/s of biogas, processing a daily organic substrate of around 900 m³. The calculations reveal a SOFC electric efficiency of 51% and a thermal efficiency of 39%, under the most favorable conditions. In the integrated AD-SOFC layout, net electrical and thermal efficiencies of 47% and 35%, respectively, are achieved. The economic analysis evaluates the investment feasibility under current incentive schemes, considering both the standalone sale of biomethane and the sale of electricity and thermal energy through SOFC integration. A case study evaluates a biomethane facility producing 508 Sm³/h, integrated with an SOFC system capable of generating 2.36 MW_el and 1.74 MW_th of electric and thermal powers. Various scenarios are examined using net present value (NPV) and payback period (PB) analyses. Results show that the PB for the biomethane-only case is 6.46 years. When integrating the SOFC system, the PB is slightly longer—6.58 years in the most favorable scenario—while it increases to 11.55 years under the most likely scenario. Full article

With growing global attention on animal welfare and food safety, humane and efficient slaughtering methods in the poultry industry are in increasing demand. Traditional manual inspection methods for stunning broilers need significant expertise. Additionally, most studies on electrical stunning focus on white broilers, whose optimal stunning conditions are not suitable for red-feathered Taiwan chickens. This study aimed to implement a smart, safe, and humane slaughtering system designed to enhance animal welfare and integrate an IoT-enabled vision system into slaughter operations for red-feathered Taiwan chickens. The system enables real-time monitoring and smart management of the poultry stunning process using image technologies for dynamic object tracking recognition. Focusing on red-feathered Taiwan chickens, the system applies dynamic tracking objects with chicken morphology feature extraction based on the YOLO-v4 model to accurately identify stunned and unstunned chickens, ensuring compliance with animal welfare principles and improving the overall efficiency and hygiene of poultry processing. In this study, the dynamic tracking object recognition system comprises object morphology feature detection and motion prediction for red-feathered Taiwan chickens during the slaughtering process. Images are firsthand data from the slaughterhouse. To enhance model performance, image amplification techniques are integrated into the model training process. In parallel, the system architecture integrates IoT-enabled modules to support real-time monitoring, sensor-based classification, and cloud-compatible decisions based on collections of visual data. Prior to image amplification, the YOLO-v4 model achieved an average precision (AP) of 83% for identifying unstunned chickens and 96% for identifying stunned chickens. After image amplification, AP improved significantly to 89% and 99%, respectively. The model achieved and deployed a mean average precision (mAP) of 94% at an IoU threshold of 0.75 and processed images at 39 frames per second, demonstrating its suitability for IoT-enabled real-time dynamic tracking object recognition in a real slaughterhouse environment. Furthermore, the YOLO-v4 model for poultry slaughtering recognition in transient stability, as measured by training loss and validation loss, outperforms the YOLO-X model in this study. Overall, this smart slaughtering system represents a practical and scalable application of AI in the poultry industry. Full article

The increasing adoption of digital technologies in the agriculture sector has significantly contributed to optimizing on-farm routines, especially in data-driven decision-making. This study aimed to develop an application to determine the slaughter point of lambs by predicting subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) using pre-slaughter parameters such as body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS), and skinfold measurements at the brisket (BST), lumbar (LST), and tail base (TST), obtained using an adipometer. A total of 45 Pantaneiros lambs were evaluated, finished in feedlot, and slaughtered at different body weights. Each pre-slaughter weight class showed a distinct carcass pattern when all parameters were included in the model. Exploratory analysis revealed statistical significance for all variables (p < 0.001). BW and LST were selected to construct the predictive equation (R² = 55.44%). The regression equations were integrated into the developed application, allowing for in-field estimation of SFT based on simple measurements. Compared to conventional techniques such as ultrasound or visual scoring, this tool offers advantages in portability, objectivity, and immediate decision-making support. In conclusion, combining accessible technologies (e.g., adipometer) with traditional variables (e.g., body weight), represents an effective alternative for production systems aimed at optimizing and enhancing the value of lamb carcasses. Full article

Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) pose significant risks to occupational populations engaged in poultry farming, livestock handling, and live poultry market operations due to frequent exposure to infected animals and contaminated environments. This review synthesizes evidence on AIV exposure patterns and risk factors through a comprehensive analysis of viral characteristics, host dynamics, environmental influences, and human behaviors. The main routes of transmission include direct animal contact, respiratory contact during slaughter/milking, and environmental contamination (aerosols, raw milk, shared equipment). Risks increase as the virus adapts between species, survives longer in cold/wet conditions, and spreads through wild bird migration (long-distance transmission) and live bird trade (local transmission). Recommended control measures include integrated animal–human–environment surveillance, stringent biosecurity measures, vaccination, and education. These findings underscore the urgent need for global ‘One Health’ collaboration to assess risk and implement preventive measures against potentially pandemic strains of influenza A viruses, especially in light of undetected mild/asymptomatic cases and incomplete knowledge of viral evolution. Full article

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of genotype and diet on geese from crossbreeding meat lines Tapphorn (T) and Eskildsen (E). This study was conducted on 240 crossbred geese assigned to two dietary groups: an SBM diet group fed a standard soybean-based diet and an LPS diet group fed a yellow lupin-based diet. Birds were reared under identical management conditions and slaughtered at 17 weeks of age. The following traits were recorded: meat colour (CIELab), pH₂₄, cooking loss, breast and thigh muscle texture (shear force and energy), and sensory traits. The results showed a significant effect of both genotype and diet on meat quality. The LPS diet lowered shear force and energy (by ~11%, p < 0.001), reduced cooking loss in breast muscles (by ~5%, p < 0.001), and improved the juiciness and flavour of thigh muscles. The ET genotype positively influenced the meat colour intensity (lower L*, higher a*), while the lupin-based diet improved technological parameters, especially the water-holding capacity. The results confirm that replacing soybean meal with yellow lupin protein is an effective nutritional strategy that can improve goose meat quality and sustainability without compromising the sensory quality. These outcomes support developing soy-free feeding strategies in goose production to meet consumer expectations and reduce reliance on imported feed. Full article

The corpus luteum (CL) is a transient gland that can directly influence follicular dynamics and oocyte quality. The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of the absence or presence of a small (≤3 mm), medium (4–8 mm), or large (>8 mm) CL in slaughterhouse ovaries on in vitro embryo production. Cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were collected from each group of ovaries and matured in TCM-199 medium, plus hormones and fetal bovine serum. Fertilization was performed with fresh semen from a Katahdin ram of known fertility. Embryo development was carried out in commercial sequential media for 72 and 96 h, until the blastocyst stage. The number of follicles (2–6 mm in diameter) and COCs were influenced by the presence of CL, which was higher (p < 0.05) in the Large CL group (5.51 ± 0.33 and 3.62 ± 0.27) compared to the Without CL group (4.54 ± 0.19 and 2.62 ± 0.14, respectively), with no difference between the CL sizes. Likewise, the diameter and area of the COCs were higher in the Small CL group of ovaries compared to the Without CL group. In the Large CL group of ovaries, 9% more morulae (p < 0.05) were obtained compared to the Without CL group; in the Medium CL group, 13% more blastocysts were obtained compared to the Without CL group. However, in the hatching capacity and diameter of blastocysts, no statistical difference was evident (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the presence and size of the CL in the ovaries of slaughtered sheep influence the productive efficiency of embryos in vitro under the conditions in which the present study was carried out. Full article

Nowadays, consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the husbandry conditions under which animals are raised, particularly broilers, since broilers are one of the species whose welfare is most impaired in intensive farming systems. One of the primary means of communicating husbandry practices to consumers is through product labelling. Thus, a rising number of animal welfare labelling schemes for broilers are being developed and used across Europe by initiatives of both public and private stakeholders, including NGOs that advocate for animal welfare. This review aims to identify, analyze, and compare these labelling schemes with a focus on the main animal welfare provisions included in them, which contribute to enhanced animal welfare. The schemes were identified through web searches, so that we could visit their official websites, access their standards and regulations and study them in detail. We included in our research only those schemes whose criteria were publicly available. In total, 16 schemes were selected and analyzed. Although these schemes vary in their criteria, they all enhance the welfare standards of broiler production, primarily through incorporating environmental enrichment and/or access to the outdoors. Most schemes define and specify in detail the required animal welfare provisions, setting a clear application frame for the raising period of the birds. However, the welfare of animals during transport and slaughter is often overlooked. Full article

Sheep wool is a natural fiber from various sheep breeds, mainly used in clothing for its insulation properties. It makes up a small share of global fiber production, which is declining as synthetic fibers replace wool and meat farming becomes more profitable. Wool from slaughter sheep, often unsuitable for textiles, is treated as biodegradable waste. The aim of the study was to develop a fully biodegradable composite of natural origin from a polylactide (PLA) matrix reinforced with sheep wool and to select the optimal modifications (chemical) of sheep wool fibers to obtain modified properties, including mechanical properties. The behavior of the composites after exposure to aging conditions simulating naturally occurring stimuli causing biodegradation and thus changes in the material’s performance over its lifespan was also examined. Dynamic thermal analysis was used to describe and parameterize the obtained data and their variables, and the mechanical properties were investigated. The research culminated in a microscopic analysis along with changes in surface properties. The study demonstrated that wool-reinforced composites exhibited significantly improved resistance to UV degradation compared to pure PLA, with samples containing 15% unmodified wool showing a 54% increase in storage modulus at 0 °C after aging. Chemical modifications using nitric acid, iron compounds, and tar were successfully implemented to enhance fiber–matrix compatibility, resulting in increased glass transition temperatures and modified mechanical properties. Although wool fiber is not a good choice for modifications to increase mechanical strength, adding wool fiber does not improve mechanical properties but also does not worsen them much. Wool fibers are a good filler that accelerates degradation and are also a waste, which reduces the potential costs of producing such a biocomposite. The research established that these biocomposites maintain sufficient mechanical properties for packaging applications while offering better environmental resistance than pure polylactide, contributing to the development of circular economy solutions for agricultural waste valorization. So far, no studies have been conducted in the literature on the influence of sheep wool and its modified versions on the mechanical properties and the influence of modification on the degradation rate of PLA/sheep wool biocomposites. Full article

This study evaluated the effect of freezing for up to 120 days on the physicochemical and technological properties of hamburgers made from Botucatu rabbit does slaughtered at 3, 12, and 24 months of age. The parameters were evaluated as follows: surface color (L*, a*, b*), pH using an insertion pH meter, cooking loss using a grill, storage loss based on weight differences, shear force in cooked samples using a texture analyzer, shrinkage percentage, chemical composition (moisture, protein, lipids, and ash), and lipid oxidation, determined by measuring the concentration of malondialdehyde in the burgers at different storage intervals (0, 60, and 120 days) under freezing conditions (−18 °C). The results indicated that increased storage time and animal age reduced tenderness and increased lipid content (p < 0.05). Burgers made from younger does showed higher levels of lipid oxidation. Age also influenced color (greater redness and lower lightness in older animals) and chemical composition, with older does producing burgers with higher protein and lower moisture and mineral content. However, all samples remained within the limits established by Brazilian legislation. This study recommends using meat from does of different ages for hamburger production, as all variations met the required legal standards. Full article

In the Netherlands, around 52,000 dairy cows die on the primary farm each year due to natural death, euthanasia, or on-farm emergency slaughter (OFES). The decision as to what is the best option is made by the farmer, often after consulting a veterinarian, a livestock trader, or a slaughterhouse operator. To determine which factors play a role in this decision-making process, semi-structured interviews were conducted with dairy farmers, private veterinary practitioners, livestock traders, and slaughterhouse operators in the Netherlands. Dairy cattle culling decisions are influenced and limited by strict enforcement of livestock transport regulations and limited options for on-farm killing methods. Requirements regarding mortality rates imposed by the dairy industry and private quality labels for raw milk also influence culling decisions in the Netherlands. Most participants stated that restrictive conditions regarding OFES and mobile slaughterhouses (MSHs) appear to have (unintended) negative effects on cow welfare and meat salvage in general. Different interests, such as cow welfare, food safety, economic concerns of various stakeholders, the reputational interests of the dairy and beef industries, and sustainability objectives such as meat salvage can be conflictive. The results of this study show that the decision-making process regarding culling or (prolonged) veterinary treatment of dairy cattle is complex because various factors, interests, and uncertainties must be weighed. This weighing can vary between individual dairy farms and individual dairy farmers. Full article

In aquaculture, pre-slaughter fasting reduces stress and improves muscle quality. Fasting periods of 55–58 degree days (°C d) enhance muscle structure and post-mortem biochemistry in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), although optimal durations vary with temperature. This study investigated the effects of fasting from none to extended durations on 495 rainbow trout under summer (22 °C) and winter (8 °C) conditions. In summer, elevated temperatures increased muscle glycogen, leading to lower pH and delayed rigor mortis (RM), especially in fasted groups, where RM peaked at 24 h post-mortem. In winter, RM occurred earlier. Prolonged fasting increased acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, with high baseline levels in non-fasted summer fish. Muscle lightness at 0 h post-mortem was highest in non-fasted winter fish but declined to summer levels in fasted groups. Antioxidant enzyme activity (glutathione-S-transferase, glutathione peroxidase) increased with fasting in winter, while summer heat masked responses. The expression of genes for mineralocorticoid receptors and heat shock proteins remained stable in warm conditions. Summer delayed metabolic decline due to higher glycogen-triggered excessive AChE activity from heat stress. Winter supported faster metabolic adjustment and more regulated enzyme activity. These findings highlight the need to adjust fasting strategies seasonally to optimize muscle traits, especially under thermal variations. Full article

Leonardite (LEO), a microbial derived product rich in humic and fulvic acids, has been tested, due to its beneficial properties for health and well-being, as a feed additive, mainly in non-ruminant species. Although there are some reports of LEO supplementation in ruminants fed with high-to medium-forage based diets, there is no information available of the potential effects of LEO in ruminants fed, under sub-tropical climate conditions, with high-energy diets during long-term fattening. For this reason, the objective of the present experiment was to evaluate the effects of LEO levels inclusion in diets for feedlot lambs finished over a long-term period. For this reason, 48 Pelibuey × Katahdin lambs (initial weight = 20.09 ± 3.55 kg) were fed with a high-energy diet (88:12 concentrate to forage ratio) supplemented with LEO (with a minimum of 75% total humic acids) for 130 days as follows: (1) diet without LEO, (2) diet supplemented with 0.20% LEO, (3) diet supplemented with 0.40% LEO, and (4) diet supplemented with 0.60% LEO. For each treatment, Leonardite was incorporated with the mineral premix. Lambs were blocked by weight and housed in 24 pens (2 lambs/pen). Treatment effects were contrasted by orthogonal polynomials. The average climatic conditions that occurred during the experimental period were 31.6 ± 2.4 °C ambient temperature and 42.2 ± 8.1% relative humidity (RH). Those values of ambient temperature and RH represent a temperature humidity index (THI) of 79.07; thus, lambs were finished under high heat load conditions. The inclusion of LEO in diet did not affect dry matter intake (p ≥ 0.25) and average daily gain (p ≥ 0.21); therefore, feed to gain ratio was not affected (p ≥ 0.18). The observed to expected dietary net energy averaged 0.96 and was not affected by LEO inclusion (p ≥ 0.26). The lower efficiency (−4%) of dietary energy utilization is an expected response given the climatic conditions of high ambient heat load presented during fattening. Lambs that were slaughtered at an average weight of 49.15 ± 6.00 kg did not show differences on the variables measured for carcass traits (p ≥ 0.16), shoulder tissue composition (p ≥ 0.59), nor in visceral mass (p ≥ 0.46) by inclusion of LEO. Under the climatic conditions in which this experiment was carried out, LEO supplementation up to 0.60% in diet (equivalent to 0.45% of humic substances) did not did not help to alleviate the extra-energy expenditure used to dissipate the excessive heat and did not change the gained tissue composition of the lambs that were fed with high-energy diets during long-term period under sub-tropical climate conditions. Full article

Donkeys were traditionally used as draft animals for transporting cargo, as a means of transportation, and for riding purposes before the advent of mechanization. Following this historical shift, their economic significance declined, making them targets for other industries, such as Chinese industries that use donkey skin to extract gelatin (ejiao). Since donkey slaughter is not a regulated activity in Brazil, the welfare and survival of donkeys are increasingly at risk as demand for their skins rises. Complaints filed by public agencies in Brazil have raised concerns about the donkey slaughter chain in the country, questioning whether this production system operates under regulated standards or follows an extractive model. The objective of this study was to evaluate the production system of donkeys destined for slaughter in Brazil through physical and hematological assessments, aiming to identify potential systemic failures that may compromise animal welfare. To achieve this, physical and hematological evaluations were conducted on a group of 104 abandoned donkeys. The physical assessments aimed to determine the animals’ sex, estimate their age, and evaluate their body condition score (BCS). These were conducted through examination of the genital organs and dental arcades, with the neck evaluated using a scale from 0 to 4 and the body condition assessed using a scale from 1 to 9, respectively. Hematological assessments included the measurement of hematocrit (HT), total plasma protein (TPP), and plasma concentration of fibrinogen. Most of the donkeys were entire males (n = 50–48.08%), with a median age of 15.1 years. The body condition score was 2 or 3 (n = 36, 52%), and the neck condition score was 1 (n = 3, 37.5%). The majority of animals had hematocrit levels above 25%, total plasma protein levels below 7.5 g/dL, and fibrinogen levels exceeding 400 mg/dL. Based on the data analysis, the animals were characterized as being in poor health, since all groups exhibited altered body and neck condition score, plasma fibrinogen concentration, and total plasma protein. These parameters may be indicative of malnutrition and systemic inflammation, even though other laboratory results showed no signs of disease. Activities characterized by mistreatment contribute to an unsustainable extractive model. Full article