The Use of Biochemical Measurements to Identify Pre-Slaughter Stress in Pasture Finished Beef Cattle

摘要

Simple SummaryProducing a product that delivers a consistently high-quality eating experience is paramount to the Australian beef industry to ensure consumer satisfaction and return protein purchasing. The importance of minimising pre-slaughter stress in cattle for animal welfare and meat quality is well understood by the industry, however, there currently exists no objective measurement of detecting which cattle are at greatest risk of producing poor quality meat. A pre-slaughter measurement would enable the beef industry to detect at risk cattle and implement an intervention strategy prior to slaughter. Muscle damage enzyme creatine kinase was the plasma biomarker most correlated with meat quality and a two-week rest period prior to slaughter was beneficial for improving quality. Further research is required to determine the usefulness of creatine kinase as an objective measurement on a commercial scale and the cost benefit of a two-week rest period for the industry.