Linked Life Data

11263824

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/11263824

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
3
pubmed:dateCreated
2001-3-23
pubmed:abstractText
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.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
0021-8812
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
79
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
642-52
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2001
pubmed:articleTitle
The influence of farmers' behavior on calves' reactions to transport and quality of veal meat.
pubmed:affiliation
INRA, Centre de Clermont-Ferrand-Theix, Unité de Recherches sur les Herbivores, Saint-Genes Champanelle, France. lensink@isa.fupl.asso.fr
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't