This study aimed at identifying possible pre-slaughter indicators and/or indexes to be used to predict pig stress response and meat quality variation. Data were collected on 44 shipments (loads) of Italian heavy pigs. For each shipment, several pre-slaughter parameters were recorded on farm, during transport, and at the slaughterhouse. Blood and meat samples were taken from 10 pigs from every of the 44 loads included in the study (N = 440). Blood samples were used to assess cortisol and creatine kinase levels, whereas meat samples were used to assess meat quality (pH, instrumental color, tenderness, water-holding capacity, and sensory analysis). Cluster analysis of blood parameters allowed the categorization of the shipments into two main clusters: Lower Stress (LS) and Higher Stress (HS). The variables/indexes statistically differing between the two clusters were: average vehicle speed during transport, welfare index at slaughter (i.e., “slaughter score”), overall transport and slaughter welfare index (TSWI), distance travelled, and behaviors (slips, falls, overlaps) during unloading, which appeared to be the best descriptors of the welfare conditions experienced by Italian heavy pigs during pre-slaughter handling. No consistent effects of the stress level experienced on meat quality was detected, which warrants the need for further studies conducted under more variable pre-slaughter conditions, with the aim of simplifying and improving the TSWI.

This study focused on loin quality in Italian heavy pigs intended for the production of PDOs (Protected Designation of Origin) products, and investigated the pre-slaughter factors which negatively affect the quality of fresh meat. Data were collected on 44 shipments (loads) of pigs. Shipments were carried out under commercial conditions. Several pre-slaughter parameters were recorded within the entire process (on-farm, during transport, and at the slaughterhouse). On a subset of pigs (10 animals from every load, N = 440), serum cortisol and creatine kinase were measured and loin samples were analyzed for pH, instrumental color, drip loss, cooking loss, shear force, and sensory quality. Cluster analysis of the instrumentally-assessed meat quality parameters allowed the categorization of the shipments into two clusters: lower quality (LQ) and higher quality (HQ). Our results showed that the factors with significant differences between the two clusters were journey duration, ambient temperature, distance traveled, and irregular behaviors (slipping, falling, and overlapping) at unloading (all greater in LQ, p < 0.05). The pre-slaughter conditions associated with lower loin quality were ambient temperatures above 22 °C, distance traveled above 26 km, travel duration between 38–66 min, more than 5.9% of animals showing irregular behaviors at unloading.

The present study aims to evaluate beef cattle welfare with an integrated approach as housing conditions and management practices change and to investigate the relationship between the adopted parameters and their applicability. A total of 15 Piemontese breed bulls reared in a tied stall housing system and 15 Piemontese, 15 Blonde d'Aquitaine and 15 crossbreed from Ireland reared in group-pen were considered. A welfare protocol including a checklist and the 'RIBECA' scoring system was prepared for the assessment of animal-based measures and resource-based measures. Blood parameters and hair 20b-dihydrocortisol were also analysed. The animal-based score was not significantly different among the farms, while the total welfare score was 'poor' for the animals in the tied stall system, 'fair' for Piemontese cattle in the in pen and Irish crossbreed , and 'very good' for the Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle. Irish crossbreed were the most fearful, with the blood findings also suggesting that these animals showed the worst adaptation, whereas Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle were well adapted. Furthermore, 20b-dihydrocortisol was lower (p < .01) in Blonde d'Aquitaine cattle when compared to Piemontese cattle tied and Irish crossbreed. The concordance between haematochemical and hair 20b-dihydrocortisol findings observed in the present study suggests that Blonde d'Aquitaine and Piemontese cattle reared in pens were less stressed during their livestock life. Measurements of cortisol metabolites in the hair matrix seem to be a valid diagnostic tool for monitoring animal exposure to situations capable of increasing cortisol levels over time. HIGHLIGHTS Husbandry and management conditions could negatively affect animal welfare. The RIBECA protocol adopted identified some beef cattle welfare critical points. Checking of different blood parameters and hair cortisol metabolites may integrate welfare assessment.

Different methodologies to evaluate animal welfare in cattle farms were proposed in last years. An Italian research team has recently developed a new methodology to assess animal welfare in dairy and beef cattle farms. The system called FWI (Farm Welfare Index, Italian letters IBA) is based on a specific check list for each different category of animal. The check list data are elaborated in order to give a farm score on the basis of limited and objective parameters to be recorded during the farm visit. The methodology refers to the well known on-farm index systems, such as the Austrian ANI (Animal Needs Index) providing the general framework of the methodology to be applied on cattle welfare assessment, relying mostly on technical parameters experimentally tested by specific researches, farmer's experience, advisor's experience and by the legislation in force. So far the 213 assessed farms (172 dairy farms e 41 beef farms) have been scored according to the FWI methodology by a total score on general farm inputs and by partial scores referring to the housing systems used for different cattle categories; in addition calves non conformity are reported.

Immunocastration has been pointed out as an alternative to surgical castration; though, most of the scientific studies were performed in light pig production. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of immunocastration on animal welfare in heavy pig production through the evaluation of behaviour and body lesions. A total of 188 commercial-hybrid pigs were randomly allocated into two treatment groups: surgical castration (SC) and immunocastration with Improvac® (IC). Data on behaviour, body lesions, and salivary testosterone levels were collected the day before each vaccination at 15, 22, 32, and 36 weeks of age. IC and SC pigs were slaughtered at 40 and 41 weeks of age, respectively; productive and carcass traits data were also collected. Considering productive performance, our results confirmed that IC pigs grew faster and presented a higher weight at slaughter. A critical period for pig welfare was observed before 32 weeks: testosterone concentration and body lesion score were significantly higher in IC pigs compared to SC pigs; active behaviours were significantly more frequent in IC at 15 weeks. Immunocastration may represent a suitable alternative to surgical castration with profitable productive performances, whereas the impairment of welfare during the period before the effective vaccination should be further investigated as a potential critical aspect in heavy pig production.

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