Comparative testing of slaughter traits and meat quality of male and female Simmental cattle

The paper presents the results of comparative testing of slaughter traits and meat quality of male (A) and female (B) young cattle of domestic Simmental breed. The sample included a total of 30 heads, 15 in each group. Cattle were slaughtered at the same age with an average mass of about 660 kg in the group (A), and about 500 kg in the group (B). The study results show that cattle of group (A) achieved statistically (p<0.001) significantly higher share of pre slaughter mass and mass of warm carcass sides while female cattle achieved statistically (p<0.01) significantly higher share of kidney fat. The share of tissues in the three rib cut showed statistical differences between the groups, in the share of the M. longissimus dorsi that was statistically (p<0.05) significantly higher in male cattle and the share of fat was statistically (p<0.01) significantly higher in group (B). The chemical composition of M. longissimus dorsi statistically (p<0.05) differed significantly in the share of water which was higher in male cattle while the cattle of group (B) had statistically (p<0.01) significantly higher share of lipids. As for the technological quality, cooking loss of M. longissimus dorsi was statistically (p<0.01) significantly higher in young cattle of group (A), while the tenderness/softness of M. longissimus dorsi (p<0.01) was significantly better in young cattle of group (B). Sensory characteristics of M. longissimus dorsi differed statistically (p<0.001) significantly in the tenderness of the meat that was better in young cattle of group (B). Male Simmental cattle had better slaughter performance and meat quality characteristics, except tenderness of meat which was better in female cattle

EQUATIONS FOR LEAN SHARE ESTIMATION IN SWINE CARCASSES IN CROATIA

The experiment was performed on 144 pig carcasses selected on the basis of backfat measures obtained by “ZP”- method. There was no stratification according to the carcass weight. One day after slaughter the carcasses were dissected by to EU reference method. The lean share was calculated by equation prescribed by European regulation (Commission Regulation No 3127/94) and estimated by six equations. The first one (MP1) is prescribed by current Croatian regulation (N.N. 119/1999) and the other five were developed on the basis of original data obtained by the experiment. The meat percentage estimated by equation MP1 differed statistically (p<0.01) from mean meat percentage obtained by EU referent method; the current formula significantly overestimates the meatiness of pig carcasses from Croatian population. Original measures of fat and muscle measured for “ZP”- method were used as independent variables in equation MP6. In order to improve the accuracy of estimation, transformed variables were used in equations MP2-MP5. Additional measure of warm carcass weight (T) was included as an independent variable to equations MP4 and MP5 but this did not improve their accuracy. Equation MP2 to MP5 satisfy the statistical criterion requested by EU regulations. The equation MP2 and MP5 can be recommended for lean share estimation in pig carcasses of Croatian pig population

Dermatitis tabanskih jastučića kod komercijalnih brojlera

In the present experiment, the presence of mycological agents in chickens with skin lesions on foot pads was investigated, in order to improve the health of broiler chickens. Foot-pad dermatitis (FPD) is described in the literature as dermatitis caused by multifactor causes. The presence of irritating chemical substances in the litter, genetic predispositions of hybrids, immune suppressive diseases of chickens, as well as the composition of commercial broiler diets that influence the occurrence of wet litter, are proven factors that contribute to a more intensive incidence of foot-pad dermatitis. Foot-pad dermatitis is a condition characterized by lesions on metatarsal and digital ventral skin of poultry feet. It is type of contact dermatitis which in severe cases shows slower weight gain, poor health condition and welfare. Taking into consideration the literature data, chickens reared in closed facilities where the bacterial and mycological agents are present partly in the litter if not properly disinfected, but also in the food or the chicken plumage, we wanted to investigate their presence in the skin of foot pads. The study was focused on incidence of foot-pad dermatitis in 500 one day old broiler chickens of Hubbard genotype, in two feeding (standard/economical) programs for broilers available on our market. Chopped straw was used as litter. At the end of fattening, all chickens were examined for the presence of lesions on the skin of the feet. Total of 39 chickens were allocated to the intensity of the lesion on foot pads rated as 2 (mild) and 3 (severe). In the mycological examination of the 9 samples of autoclaved chicken legs with lesions on the feet, we have isolated and identified the presence of fungi /mould Aspergillus fumigatus. The histopathology investigation, during which the tissue section from mild and severe skin foot pads was collected and stained using Hematoxylin and eosin, revealed the hyperkeratosis, panniculitis, ballooning degeneration and dermis inflammation. No fungal elements were observed in the sections of pads stained with Gomori methenamine silver. Birds are especially susceptible to infection with Aspergillus fumigatus. That species of fungus is also classified as allergenic factor.U ogledu je ispitivano prisustvo mikoloških agenasa kod pilića sa lezijama na koži tabanskih jastučića, u cilju poboljšanja zdravlja brojlerskih pilica. Dermatitis na tabanskim jastučićima (DTJ) je u literaturi multifaktornog porekla. Postojanje iritantnih hemijskih supstanci u prostirci, genetske predispozicije hibrida, imunosupresivne bolesti pilića, kao i sastav komercijalnih smeša za ishranu brojlera koje utiču na pojavu vlažne prostirke, su dokazani faktori koji doprinose intenzivnijoj pojavi DTJ. Imajući u vidu ove podatke iz literature, pilići koji se gaje u zatvorenom prostoru u kome su prisutni bakterijski i mikološki agensi delom u prostirci ako nije na adekvatan način dezinfikovana, u hrani ili na perju pilića, želeli smo da ispitamo njihovo prisustvo u koži tabanskih jastučića. Ispitivanje je bazirano na pojavi DTJ u ogledu 500 jednodnevnih pilića Hubbard genotipa, koji su hranjeni na 2 načina (standardnim/ekonomičnim) krmnim smešama koje su prisutne na našem tržištu. Seckana slama je korišćena kao prostirka. DTJ se karakteriše lezijama na metatarzalnim i digitalnim ventralnim delovima kože tabana živine. To je kontaktni dermatitis koji kod težih slučajeva utiče na prirast, zdravlje i dobrobit. Na kraju tova pilića, svi pilići su pregledani na prisustvo lezija na koži tabana. U ovom radu, ispitano je 39 pilića sa intenzitetom lezija na tabanskim jastučićima. Intenzitet lezija je ocenjen sa 2 (blage) i sa 3 (izražene) lezije. Mikološkim ispitivanjem utvrđeno je prisustvo gljivice/plesni Aspergillus fumigatus, kod 9 autoklaviranih promenjenih pilećih nogica. Histološkim ispitivanjem utvrdili smo postojanje hiperkeratoze, panikulitisa, zapaljenje dermisa i balonirajuću degeneraciju. Nismo utvrdili prisustvo fungalnih elemenata u koži tabana, nakon bojenja Gomory methenamin silver bojenjem. Ptice su posebno osetljive na infekciju A. fumigatus koji je klasifikovan kao alergijski uzročnik

Dermatitis tabanskih jastučića kod komercijalnih brojlera

In the present experiment, the presence of mycological agents in chickens with skin lesions on foot pads was investigated, in order to improve the health of broiler chickens. Foot-pad dermatitis (FPD) is described in the literature as dermatitis caused by multifactor causes. The presence of irritating chemical substances in the litter, genetic predispositions of hybrids, immune suppressive diseases of chickens, as well as the composition of commercial broiler diets that influence the occurrence of wet litter, are proven factors that contribute to a more intensive incidence of foot-pad dermatitis. Foot-pad dermatitis is a condition characterized by lesions on metatarsal and digital ventral skin of poultry feet. It is type of contact dermatitis which in severe cases shows slower weight gain, poor health condition and welfare. Taking into consideration the literature data, chickens reared in closed facilities where the bacterial and mycological agents are present partly in the litter if not properly disinfected, but also in the food or the chicken plumage, we wanted to investigate their presence in the skin of foot pads. The study was focused on incidence of foot-pad dermatitis in 500 one day old broiler chickens of Hubbard genotype, in two feeding (standard/economical) programs for broilers available on our market. Chopped straw was used as litter. At the end of fattening, all chickens were examined for the presence of lesions on the skin of the feet. Total of 39 chickens were allocated to the intensity of the lesion on foot pads rated as 2 (mild) and 3 (severe). In the mycological examination of the 9 samples of autoclaved chicken legs with lesions on the feet, we have isolated and identified the presence of fungi /mould Aspergillus fumigatus. The histopathology investigation, during which the tissue section from mild and severe skin foot pads was collected and stained using Hematoxylin and eosin, revealed the hyperkeratosis, panniculitis, ballooning degeneration and dermis inflammation. No fungal elements were observed in the sections of pads stained with Gomori methenamine silver. Birds are especially susceptible to infection with Aspergillus fumigatus. That species of fungus is also classified as allergenic factor.U ogledu je ispitivano prisustvo mikoloških agenasa kod pilića sa lezijama na koži tabanskih jastučića, u cilju poboljšanja zdravlja brojlerskih pilica. Dermatitis na tabanskim jastučićima (DTJ) je u literaturi multifaktornog porekla. Postojanje iritantnih hemijskih supstanci u prostirci, genetske predispozicije hibrida, imunosupresivne bolesti pilića, kao i sastav komercijalnih smeša za ishranu brojlera koje utiču na pojavu vlažne prostirke, su dokazani faktori koji doprinose intenzivnijoj pojavi DTJ. Imajući u vidu ove podatke iz literature, pilići koji se gaje u zatvorenom prostoru u kome su prisutni bakterijski i mikološki agensi delom u prostirci ako nije na adekvatan način dezinfikovana, u hrani ili na perju pilića, želeli smo da ispitamo njihovo prisustvo u koži tabanskih jastučića. Ispitivanje je bazirano na pojavi DTJ u ogledu 500 jednodnevnih pilića Hubbard genotipa, koji su hranjeni na 2 načina (standardnim/ekonomičnim) krmnim smešama koje su prisutne na našem tržištu. Seckana slama je korišćena kao prostirka. DTJ se karakteriše lezijama na metatarzalnim i digitalnim ventralnim delovima kože tabana živine. To je kontaktni dermatitis koji kod težih slučajeva utiče na prirast, zdravlje i dobrobit. Na kraju tova pilića, svi pilići su pregledani na prisustvo lezija na koži tabana. U ovom radu, ispitano je 39 pilića sa intenzitetom lezija na tabanskim jastučićima. Intenzitet lezija je ocenjen sa 2 (blage) i sa 3 (izražene) lezije. Mikološkim ispitivanjem utvrđeno je prisustvo gljivice/plesni Aspergillus fumigatus, kod 9 autoklaviranih promenjenih pilećih nogica. Histološkim ispitivanjem utvrdili smo postojanje hiperkeratoze, panikulitisa, zapaljenje dermisa i balonirajuću degeneraciju. Nismo utvrdili prisustvo fungalnih elemenata u koži tabana, nakon bojenja Gomory methenamin silver bojenjem. Ptice su posebno osetljive na infekciju A. fumigatus koji je klasifikovan kao alergijski uzročnik

Effects of rearing system and body weight of Redbro broilers on the frequency and severity of footpad dermatitis

High market demand for high-quality chicken paws, as well as their role in the assessment of the welfare of broiler chickens are the main reasons for the research in this area. In order to determine the effects of rearing system and the body weight of moderate growing broilers on the frequency and severity of incidence of footpad dermatitis, experimental research was conducted on a total of 300 Redbro chickens reared in free range and floor system in the production facility until the age of 84 days. Based on an individual weighing of broilers and visual evaluation of the incidence and severity of footpad lesions at the end of the experiment, the frequency of the individual scores for footpad dermatitis was determined, as well as the average score in each of the five weight groups. The effect of body weight on the incidence and severity of footpad dermatitis was not statistically confirmed, but the absence of the most difficult forms of footpad dermatitis in broiler group with the lowest body weight was recorded. Rearing broiler chickens in free range system manifested a positive effect in terms of increased frequency of broilers without lesions and less frequency of moderate and severe lesions in relation to rearing system in the production facility. Also, the effect of rearing system on the frequency of the most severe degree of dermatitis in broilers Redbro was statistically confirmed

Carcass quality of chickens of different conformation

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of conformation of chickens of different genotype on the yield of breast meat. As a typical example of the chickens of very poor conformation pure breed Naked neck chickens were taken, fattened 8 and 10 weeks (groups K8 and K10). As an example of good conformation, an imported hybrid of chickens was taken, known for its broiler qualities and as medium growing hybrid, Red Bro (R). The second experiment included commercial hybrids of fast growth (Ross, Cobb and Hubbard) reared according to all technological standards of intensive fattening until the age of 42 days. The results obtained were contrary to the conclusion obtained a few decades ago, at the beginning of the study the conformation of chicken, by Scots and Darrow (1953), according to which the selection of chickens of heavy type, despite the fact that, to some extent, it had improved meat yield of the breast, did not significantly improve slaughter traits of fattening chickens, confirming that better conformation and higher body weight had a positive impact on improving relative share of breast, i.e. white meat. The results regarding the slaughter traits of chicken genotypes of different conformation suggest that breeding - selection work to improve the conformation of broilers significantly improved slaughter yields and breast meat yield. In this sense, the conformation can be treated as an indicator of the slaughter value of carcasses, rather than an aesthetic category

Silage fermentation characteristics of grass-legume mixtures harvested at two different maturity stages

The objective of our study was to investigate the diversity of individual parameters of quality of grass-legume mixture silages harvested in two stages of crop utilization and the impact of the interaction of studied factors on the quality. Legumes as an important source of protein are very difficult to ensilage. However, in mixture with grasses their fermentable characteristics are improved. During the growth and development of plants, their chemical composition changes, hence their ability and suitability for ensiling also changes. In regard to the studied factors, the phase of exploitation had a highly significant impact on almost all quality parameters in both years. By delaying the harvest period, dry matter content in silage has significantly increased and the level of crude protein and NH3-N decreased. In regard to the content of lactic acid, the studied silages fall into category of good quality silages. Its content in the first year ranged from 24.3-31.5 in the early harvest stage and from 27.9-36.2 g kg-1 DM at the late harvest stage, and in the second year from 27.4 to 31.4 in the early harvest stage and from 28.2- 31.9 g kg-1 DM at the stage of late harvest. According to the content of acetic and butyric acids, studied silages can also be considered as silages of good quality

The effect of crop density on yield of forage maize

The aim of this investigation was to estimate the effects of crop density on the plant height (PH), stem diameter (SD), number of leaves per plant (NL), forage yield hectare-1 (FY), dry matter yield hectare-1 (DMY), stem percentage (SP), leaf percentage (LP) and ear percentage (EP) in two maize hybrids of FAO maturity group 600 (ZP 684 and NS 6010). Field trials were carried out in rainfed farming in the Srem region (location Putinci: 44° 59' 19' North and 19° 58' 11' East) during years 2007 and 2008. Three crop densities were compared: G1 - 51,020 plants ha-1, G2 - 59,524 plants ha-1 and G3 - 71,429 plants ha-1 (corresponding to spacing of 70 × 28, 70 × 24, and 70 × 20 cm). Plots were organized as completely randomized block system design in four replications. PH (265.45 cm), SD (2.40 cm), FY (68.63 t ha-1) and DMY (24.63 t ha-1) were significantly higher in 2007 than in 2008 (261.78 cm, 2.32 cm, 61.17 t ha-1 and 21.04 t ha-1, respectively). Hybrid NS 6010 had significantly higher PH (266.23 cm), SD (2.39 cm) and NL (14.75) than hybrid ZP 684 (261.0 cm, 2.33 cm and 13.99, respectively). Increasing crop density significantly increased the PH, FY, DMY and SP, and significantly decreases the SD and EP. Therefore, crop density of 71,429 plants ha-1 (70 x 20 cm) can be recommended for growing hybrids of FAO 600 maturity group in climatic conditions of Srem in order to achieve high yields of forage and dry matter

Distribuzione dei campioni della carne di maiale secondo il rilascio di succo della carne

Istraživanje je provedeno na 119 nasumično odabranih svinjskih polovica podrijetlom od kastrata, zaklanih pri oko 100 kg žive mase u tri klaonice na području Istočne Hrvatske. Izmjerena su najvažnija svojstva kvalitete mesa: pH45, pH24, CIE-L* te otpuštanje mesnog soka mjereno metodom kompresije (WHC) i „metodom vrećice“ (otkapavanje). Pri ispitivanju statističke značajnosti perdiktora otpuštanja mesnog soka utvrđena je značajnost za WHC i pH24 vrijednosti (p0.05).The present research was conducted in 119 randomly chosen carcasses of barrows slaughtered at approximately 100 kg of live weight in three slaughterhouses in east Croatia. Main meat quality traits were measured: pH45, pH24, CIE-L* and drip loss by compression and bag method. Among the investigated drip loss indicators of drip loss the highest significance was found for WHC and pH 24 (p0.05).La ricerca è stata realizzata sulle 119 casualmente scelte metà suine, d`origine castrate, macellati con circa 100 kg di peso vivente nei tre luoghi di macello sul territorio orientale di Croazia. Sono state misurate le più importanti caratteristiche della qualità della carne: pH45, pH24, CIE-L* e il rilascio di succo della carne misurato con il metodo di compressione (WHC) e con „metodo borsino“ (gocciolare). Analizzando la significanza statistica dei perditori del rilascio di succo della carne è stata affermata la caratteristica per i valori di WHC e pH24 (p0.05)

Methods for determining stress syndrome in beef cattle and its relevance to quality of meat

Methods for determining stress syndrome in beef cattle is of great importance to identify the physiological state of young cattle before slaughter in order for such animals to be properly treated and restored to a normal physiological state. As a consequence of the state of stress prior to slaughter, meat is obtained which is different from normal. These are non-typical post-mortem changes in meat: 'PSE' (pale, soft, exudative) and 'DFD' (dark, firm, dry) meat, 'watery' meat, usually pork, and 'dark' mostly meat of young bulls. Tests were performed on bulls originating from a farm located 50 km from the slaughterhouse and another farm located 150 km from the slaughterhouse. Young bulls were kept in a free system and loading and unloading was done on unloading ramps and animals taken to the boxes using the lane corridor. Also, attention was paid to avoid mixing with unfamiliar animals during transport. The study included 20 males. The same vehicle was used to transport cattle from the farm to the slaughterhouse. The rectal temperature was taken from 20 young bulls, at the time of loading of cattle into a vehicle during transport and immediately before slaughter. The results of measurements of rectal temperature of investigated bulls suggest that prolonging of transport increases the rectal temperature which can serve as an indicator of stress syndrome in bulls. In addition to measuring of rectal temperature as an indicator of bulls' stress syndrome, other methods are still used, such as the measurement of cortisol in saliva and blood, or the latest methods of measuring cortisol in hair. This is the latest method of the 21st century, which can even determine the time of occurrence of stress. This method is the future that will determine whether the stress occurred few days, weeks or even months ago