The capacity of inspection on farm and at the abattoir to predict post‐mortem outcomes in slaughter pigs: A study at animal level

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate associations between ear, tail, and skin lesions, hernias, bursitis, and rectal prolapses at the abattoir and meat inspection outcomes in slaughter pigs, including carcass condemnations and trimmings, carcass weight, and carcass quality. This was an observational study whereby pigs were managed according to routine practices in a single abattoir. Data were collected from 1816 pigs. The relationship between animal‐based welfare and post‐mortem outcomes was analyzed using generalized mixed models (Proc Glimmix). Our findings showed that tail lesions were associated with entire carcass condemnations and trimmings ( P < 0.001), a reduction in carcass weight ( P < 0.05), and a potential to impair carcass quality by reducing muscle pH ( P < 0.05), especially in carcasses from male pigs ( P < 0.05). Additionally, hernias were associated with viscera condemnation ( P < 0.05) and a reduction in carcass weight ( P < 0.05). Therefore, our findings confirm that ante‐mortem inspection could be useful to predict post‐mortem outcomes in the same pigs, especially in cases of tail lesions and hernia, which might trigger attention of the veterinary inspector in charge of the post‐mortem inspection.

The capacity of ante‐mortem inspection of pigs at the abattoir to predict post‐mortem findings and associated financial implications: A study at batch level

“…This finding was not expected, as tail lesions were much higher in the study carried out by Teixeira et al (2023). As Teixeira et al (2023) and the current study were carried out in the same abattoir and at the same time of year, a possible explanation could be the effect of the veterinarian in charge of meat inspection as they can cause variation in the post-mortem evaluation and findings (Harley et al, 2012;Heinonen et al, 2021). Unfortunately, it was not possible to register the veterinary shift in the current study to allow further comparison.…”

“…It was not possible to record the sex of pigs and if they were castrated. Although the studies were carried out at the same abattoir during the same period, the dataset of pigs and batches from Teixeira, Salazar, et al (2020), Teixeira et al (2023), and the current study were not the same.…”

“…Ghidini et al (2021) and Teixeira, Salazar, et al (2020) reported a lower prevalence of tail lesions and hernias compared to the current findings, but the prevalence reported in their studies was based on batch level, and, in the case of Ghidini et al (2021), only umbilical hernias were included. In contrast, the prevalence of tail lesions and hernias was much higher in Teixeira et al (2023). However, it is important to mention that, in the Teixeira et al (2023), pigs from hospital pens were purposely mixed with others in lairage to increase the probability of finding welfare issues that would potentially associate with post-mortem findings.…”

“…In contrast, the prevalence of tail lesions and hernias was much higher in Teixeira et al (2023). However, it is important to mention that, in the Teixeira et al (2023), pigs from hospital pens were purposely mixed with others in lairage to increase the probability of finding welfare issues that would potentially associate with post-mortem findings. Also, it is well known that lesions and diseases are likely to vary with season (Elbers et al, 1992;Schrøder-Petersen & Simonsen, 2001), including ear and tail lesions (Blackshaw, 1981;Penny & Hill, 1974), suggesting that pigs suffering from heat and/or cold stress are more prone to perform damaging behavior (Schrøder-Petersen & Simonsen, 2001).…”

“…However, in the Ghidini et al (2021) study, the authors focused on 13 conditions that were detected at two Italian abattoir receiving heavy pigs, irrespective of whether these conditions could be detected during on farm assessment as well. In the case of Teixeira et al (2023), the authors focused on ante-mortem findings that could be detected both on farm and at the abattoir (i.e., ear lesions, tail lesions and skin lesions, hernias, bursitis, and rectal prolapses) to predict post-mortem inspection findings at animal level. Neither of these studies included financial implications associated with post-mortem condemnations.…”