The influence of farmers' behavior on calves' reactions to transport and quality of veal meat.

Abstract

The relationships between farmers' behavior toward veal calves, calves' responses to handling and transport, and veal meat quality were assessed. Two groups of 10 veal units were selected based on previous observed farmers' behavior toward the calves: one group consisted of farmers who had shown predominantly "positive" behavior toward the calves, and the other group of farmers had shown predominantly "negative" behavior. Calves were observed for their reactions to people at the unit, and 20 calves per veal unit were transported either directly to the slaughterhouse or subjected to additional transport consisting of a supplementary 20-min transport with additional unloading and loading. The effort needed to load the calves onto the truck and their behavior during loading was observed. During loading and unloading, and during lairage at the slaughterhouse, potentially traumatic incidents (falling down, hits against structures, slips) were recorded, and heart rate and cortisol measurements were taken. Carcasses were evaluated on their weight, color, conformation, pH, and bruise level. A meat sample was taken from the longissimus thoracis muscle for physical, chemical, and sensory analysis. Calves originating from "positive behavior" units showed fewer fear responses to people at the veal unit, needed less effort to be loaded to the truck, had lower heart rates during loading and unloading, and had fewer incidents at the slaughterhouse than calves from "negative behavior" units (P < 0.05). Carcasses from calves from "positive behavior" units were paler, and analyses of the meat sample revealed lower pH, moisture level, and redness compared to carcasses from calves from "negative behavior" units (P < 0.05). Additional transport led to a lower cortisol level after transport and to higher carcass pH values at slaughter compared to direct transport (P < 0.05) but did not affect meat quality. We concluded that farmers' positive behavior toward veal calves during rearing is likely to reduce the emotional responses of calves to handling and transport and to lead to fewer incidents, compared to negative behavior. This reduction of calves' emotional responses seems to be the reason for improved veal meat color.

Pre-slaughter conditions, animal stress and welfare: current status and possible future research

“…Sartorelli et al (1992) showed that cortisol levels increase during the first 30 to 60 min of transport and then remain stable. Heart rate is initially high, but decreases gradually over a period by 30 to 60 min of transport, reaching values of 10% to 25% above the basic level (Lensink et al, 2001;Van de Water et al, 2003;Grigor et al, 2004). These physiological changes are most probably related to emotional stress due to the unfamiliar situation and to physical effort related to loading and to keep balance in the moving and vibrating lorry (cf.…”

“…The animals have to leave their familiar pen or environment and sometimes social group, are handled and are introduced into the unfamiliar environment of the lorry, sometimes containing unfamiliar animals. The whole loading procedure causes an increase in the blood cortisol rate and an increase in the heart rate of approximately 80% in calves, compared to home pen levels (Lensink et al, 2001; Van de Water et al, 2003). Loading conditions, especially equipment (loading ramp and quay), determine largely levels of psychological stress and physical effort.…”

“…Despite efforts, farms are generally insufficiently equipped. Slippery floors, sharp corners or metal structures may hurt the animals and further cause psychological and physical stress (Lensink et al, 2001;Van de Water et al, 2003;Mounier et al, 2006).…”

“…For example, the calves having received positive and more frequent contacts from their stockbreeder were easier to handle and had lower heart rates during loading (Lensink et al, 2000a(Lensink et al, , 2000b(Lensink et al, and 2001. Keeping the animals in stable groups may further facilitate the slaughter procedure.…”

“…To assess stress responses at slaughter, in addition to classically used (neuro)physiological and behavioural measurements, assessments of immunological status and anteand post-mortem muscle metabolism have shown to be very useful. Data on resting behaviour, slips and escape attempts give useful information on the way the animal perceives its environment (Lensink et al, 2001). The effects of physical activity and psychological stress on the secretion of hormones, measured in blood, urine or saliva and heart rate are well known and can be used to assess stress at slaughter (Foury et al, 2005;Hambrecht et al, 2005;Terlouw and Rybarczyk, 2008).…”