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Pig Journal Volume: 52
Publication date: November 2003

Refereed Section

EFFECT OF ON-FARM TREATMENT, TRANSPORT AND LAIRAGE TIMES ON BRUISING IN SLAUGHTER PIGS IN ZIMBABWE
N.T. Kusina, S. Sachikonye, J. Kusina, P. Ndiweni and N. Waran

Abstract
The current study was conducted to evaluate pig-handling procedures from the farm, through transit to the abattoir. This was following criticism by producers of the processor for purported revenue losses due to unexplained carcase down-grading. This precipitated strained relations between producers and processors. The main objective of this study was to identify the points at which bruising of slaughter pigs occurred and its cause. The study was from the farm to the abattoir and was also used to assess and document the prevalence of Pale Soft Exudative (PSE). The hypothesis tested was that poor handling of pigs on the farm, during transport and within the abattoir, contributed to carcase bruising.
     A total throughput of 8,528 pigs from 40 farms delivered to a private abattoir within a 250 km radius was monitored from August 1999 to February 2000. Monitoring included observation (without interference of pig handling procedures on-farm) to and within the abattoir. Isolated malpractices that could account for carcase bruising and/or PSE were also studied.
     Of the 8,528 pigs, 99% were baconers and the remainder were porkers and manufacturing pigs. Overall bruising was 0.98%. No cases of PSE were recorded. The results indicated that injuries were due to pigs fighting during transit, high loading densities and fighting in lairages prior to slaughter.

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