Abstract

PEREZ-LINARES, Cristina et al. Pre and post slaughter cattle and carcass management factors associated to presence of DFD beef in the hot season. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2013, vol.4, n.2, pp.149-160. ISSN 2448-6698.

In evaluating management factors associated to presence of DFD beef in the hot dry season, a set of surveys were taken in three feedlots and in one federally inspected slaughter plant in Mexicali, México. The present study was performed on a sample of 506 carcasses, and the L. dorsi muscle in each one of them was tested for pH and color (L*,a*,b*) for grading quality. In the independent frequency distribution test of dark meat (DFD) by management variable, a Chi-squared test was used with Odds Ratio (OR) as association measure at 95 % CI. DFD presence found due to management factors was 13.64 %. Time spent and way of driving cattle , transportation time from feedlot to slaughter plant, relative humidity in waiting pens, waiting time in shuttle and conduction aisle to the stunning box, time spent by carcasses in cold storage room and carcass temperature are factors associated to presence of DFD meat (P<0.05). As a suggestion, special attention should be given to staff training for better performance of their respective duties for improving beef quality, as well as keeping carcasses for at least 24 h in the cold storage room before being marketed.

Keywords : Dark meat; Stress; Ante mortem handling; Beef quality; Bovines.

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