Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/9073
Title: Regrouping unfamiliar animals in the weeks prior to slaughter has few effects on physiology and meat quality in 'Bos taurus' feedlot steers
Contributor(s): Colditz, Ian  (author); Ferguson, Drewe  (author); Greenwood, Paul (author); Doogan, VJ (author); Petherick, JC (author); Kilgour, RJ (author)
Publication Date: 2007
DOI: 10.1071/EA05114
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/9073
Abstract: The response of cattle to alterations in social groupings can lead to physiological changes that affect meat quality. Feedlot practices frequently lead to a proportion of cattle in a pen being drafted for slaughter with the balance retained for a further period until they meet market specifications. An ability to regroup such retained cattle for short periods without consequences for meat quality would facilitate efficient use of feedlot pen space. The current experiment examined the impact on physiological variables and meat quality of regrouped British breed steers 4, 2 or 1 week before dispatch for slaughter. There was little effect of regrouping cattle on physiological variables associated with stress responses. Physical assessment of meat quality indicated that regrouping steers 1 week before slaughter led to higher compression and a tendency for higher peak force values in animals from one genotype than in their respective controls (1.89 v. 1.71 ± 0.05 kg, P = 0.017); however, these assessments were not matched by changes in sensory perception of meat quality. Average daily gain during feedlot finishing was negatively related to the temperament measure and flight time. It was also associated with breed, white cell count, plasma cortisol and haemoglobin at the midpoint of the 70-day finishing period. The results confirm the impact of flight time on growth rate during feedlot finishing and that regrouping cattle less than 2 weeks before slaughter may reduce meat quality.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 47(7), p. 763-769
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 1446-5574
0816-1089
1836-5787
1836-0939
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 070203 Animal Management
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 830301 Beef Cattle
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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