Effect of Transport Distance and Season on Some Defects of Fresh Hams Destined for DPO Production

Arduini, Agnese; Redaelli, Veronica; Luzi, F.; Dall’Olio, Stefania; Pace, Vincenzo; Costa, Leonardo Nanni

doi:10.3390/ani4030524

Cited by 10 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 26 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The literature reported different results on the seasonal effect of skin lesion and ham defects in pigs. The present results are in contrast with what observed by Dalla Costa et al [ 31 ] and Cobanovic [ 32 ], who observed increased skin lesions in winter, and Arduini et al [ 20 ], who reported increased muscle tears in the cold seasons (winter and autumn). The results of the present study agreed with what has been claimed by Bottaccini et al [ 17 ] and Goumon et al [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

“…These hams are excluded from the PDO circuit because it affects the visual aspect of hams [ 19 ]. Nowadays there is no certainty about risk factors for veining defects, even if some risk factors have been hypothesized, such as globosity of the ham, leanness, type of stunning, season and lairage lasting [ 17 , 19 , 20 ]; however, the results obtained do not seem very conclusive.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

The multivariate approach identifies relationships between pre-slaughter factors, body lesions, ham defects and carcass traits in pigs

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abattoir meat inspection has been proposed for the collection of welfare outcomes. The identification of suitable animal-based measures (ABM) is still a critical point that needs to be implemented to avoid collinearity among measures. The present study aims to benchmark the presence of ABM such as skin and tail lesions and ham defects in carcasses from 79 batches of Italian Heavy pigs and to identify possible relationships between the assessed ABM and pre-slaughter factors such as the season and the overnight lairage. Furthermore, the study also considers the effect of pre-slaughter conditions and ABM on carcass traits parameters (cold carcass weight and lean meat percentage). Skin and tail lesions were recorded at the slaughter line. The presence of abscesses, muscle tears and veining defects were assessed in the hams at trimming, according to the Parma Ham Consortium. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify relationships between ABM and pre-slaughter factor; therefore, a linear model was built to assess the effect on carcass weight and lean meat percentage. Main welfare issues were represented by skin and tail lesions and muscle tears (prevalence above 10%). Multivariate analysis evidenced that skin lesions and veining defects were mostly associated with the warm season. Abscesses and muscle tears in the hams were more likely related to overnight lairage, while tail lesions contributed equally to both season and lairage. Moreover, lairage related factors showed to affect lean meat percentage. The findings of the present study suggest that ham defects might be useful indicators of pre-slaughter stress. The validation of these findings with physiological parameters could be of interest for further studies.

show abstract

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The multivariate approach identifies relationships between pre-slaughter factors, body lesions, ham defects and carcass traits in pigs

et al. 2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Apart from veining, which showed minimum prevalence during summer, our seasonal trend for ham defects is not consistent with Arduini et al [ 31 ], suggesting that other factors that are not strictly environmentally related should be taken into consideration to better understand the causes of these ham defects.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 93%

“…The difference between hematomas found on the carcass during the slaughtering process (median = 0%) and those found through ham selection (median = 3.3%) possibly highlights this difference in sensitivity, although it should be also considered that deep hematomas are difficult to detect externally by visual inspection. Ham hematomas, despite their relatively high prevalence, showed a decrease from the values registered in this same plant during 2012 (4.3%) and 2013 (6.2%) [ 31 ], confirming the adoption of improved animal handling and other welfare measures declared by the slaughterhouse in 2017 [ 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 67%

Skin lesion monitoring at slaughter on heavy pigs (170 kg): Welfare indicators and ham defects

Bottacini

Scollo²,

Edwards

et al. 2018

PLoS ONE

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In order to evaluate at the slaughterhouse external carcass lesions on heavy pigs (170 kg) as potential welfare indicators, and the prevalence of ham defects determining ham exclusion from Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) markets, 732 pig batches from northern Italy were monitored during a 12-month period, and then processed analysing the effect of slaughter season, overnight lairage, and production type. On the slaughter line, skin scratches were separately scored in the posterior region (defined as the area including the hind legs and the tail) and the anterior one (as the remaining area), while the whole carcass was examined for external hematomas. Chronic ear and tail lesions referable to the rearing phase, and bursitis were recorded as retrospective welfare indicators. The annual median prevalence of carcasses per batch with severe anterior scratches was 64% while 46.4% had severe posterior scratches. The highest autumn score for both skin scratches (P < 0.001) and traumatic ham defects (P = 0.005) is reflected in the positive correlation between severe posterior scratches and ham hematomas (r2 = 0.27; P < 0.001). Overnight lairage batches resulted in higher prevalence for scratches, while among ham defects only veining increased. Among binary records, only ear lesions were frequently recorded (annual median = 10%). A comparison analysis between pigs in and out of PDO circuit was performed to evaluate the variation related to the different genetics, showing differences for ear and tail lesions and for almost all the considered ham defects. The present study confirms that skin lesions represent a problem also for heavy pigs and that overnight lairage and season can affect their prevalence, with the associated possibility to give ham defects. Ear lesions are suitable to be used as retrospective welfare indicator, while tail lesions usage is nowadays limited by the extensive use of tail docking.

show abstract

“…Furthermore, Averos et al [11] found that mortality correlates with the proportion of injured pigs in transit. If their injuries are especially located on the most valuable cuts such as hams, loins and shoulders, these can increase the economic loss [17]. Facing the decline in pig herds attributed mainly to low profitability it is even more important to also avoid an economic loss as a consequence of death and reduced carcass value.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transport losses in finisher pigs: impact of transport distance and season of the year

Voslářová

Večerek

Passantino

et al. 2016

Asian-Australas J Anim Sci

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ObjectiveThe death of animals during transport for slaughter is a major factor indicating the level of welfare in transported animals. The aim of this study was to assess mortality related to the commercial transport of finisher pigs for slaughter in the Czech Republic.MethodsThe inspectors of the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic recorded the numbers of finisher pigs transported to processing plants in the Czech Republic for slaughter and the mortality in these pigs in relation to transport in the period from 2009 to 2014.ResultsOur results show that the likelihood of death losses in transported pigs increases with increasing transport distance. The transport-related mortality ranged from 0.049% in pigs transported for distances below 50 km to 0.145% in pigs transported for distances exceeding 300 km. The impact of external air temperature on the transport-related mortality found in our study clearly shows that current transport practices fail to ensure the welfare of pigs transported under other than moderate weather. Particularly cold temperatures below −2°C were associated with increased death losses in winter transport.ConclusionDespite a decreasing trend in the mortality of finisher pigs transported for slaughter in Europe, our study suggests that current transport conditions are not efficient at ensuring the welfare of pigs during transport for longer distances and the protection of pigs against the negative impact of extreme ambient temperatures. Further research should focus on developing practical guidelines to improve the welfare of pigs in transit accordingly.

show abstract

Effect of Transport Distance and Season on Some Defects of Fresh Hams Destined for DPO Production

Cited by 10 publications

References 26 publications

The multivariate approach identifies relationships between pre-slaughter factors, body lesions, ham defects and carcass traits in pigs

The multivariate approach identifies relationships between pre-slaughter factors, body lesions, ham defects and carcass traits in pigs

Skin lesion monitoring at slaughter on heavy pigs (170 kg): Welfare indicators and ham defects

Transport losses in finisher pigs: impact of transport distance and season of the year

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About