Cattle loading rates in different truck models and their relationship with bruises on bovine carcasses

ABSTRACT: This study sought to evaluate the number of bruises on bovine carcasses and their relationship with loading rates in different truck models. Bruising percentages in the hindquarter, forequarter and short rib regions were evaluated. The space occupied on the truck by each animal in m² was defined as the Practiced area, obtained by dividing the body area by the number of males and females transported in straight trucks (10.60 x 2.40 m) and livestock trailers (14.80 x 2.60 m), 240 and 168, and 120 and 93, respectively, and 80 males in a straight truck with trailer configuration (17.50 x 2.60 m). The minimum area occupied by the animals was assessed according to the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) and Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC). The data was analyzed in a completely randomized design and included two sex classes, three carcass regions and three truck types. For males, the minimum areas (m²) calculated by the FAWC and AWAC were smaller (1.37 and 1.29 m², respectively) for the straight truck. The straight truck with trailer configuration had the lowest (P=0.0025) bruising index in the forequarter region (15.1%) and the highest (P=0.047) in the short rib region (30.5%). Females transported in the livestock trailer had a higher (P<0.001) percentage of bruises in the forequarter region (51.7%). There was a relationship between the high bruising rates and the loading rate Practiced for the males. Estimations made by the AWAC are close to those practiced in the upper Pantanal region of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil.

摘要：本研究旨在评估牛胴体的瘀伤数量，及其与不同卡车车型装载率的关联。研究评估了牛胴体后躯、前躯及短肋区域的瘀伤占比。每头牲畜在卡车上所占的空间（单位：平方米）被定义为实际占用面积，其计算方式为以动物体表面积除以对应车型运输的公母牲畜数量：10.60×2.40米的直式卡车分别运输240头公畜、168头母畜，14.80×2.60米的牲畜拖车分别运输120头公畜、93头母畜，而采用拖挂配置的17.50×2.60米直式卡车则运输80头公畜。研究依据农场动物福利委员会（Farm Animal Welfare Council, FAWC）与动物福利咨询委员会（Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, AWAC）制定的标准，评估了牲畜所需的最小占用面积。本研究采用完全随机设计对数据进行分析，涵盖两个性别类别、三个胴体区域及三种卡车车型。对于公畜而言，FAWC与AWAC标准计算得出的直式卡车最小占用面积更小，分别为1.37平方米与1.29平方米。采用拖挂配置的直式卡车在前躯区域的瘀伤指数最低（P=0.0025，占比15.1%），而在短肋区域的瘀伤指数最高（P=0.047，占比30.5%）。采用牲畜拖车运输的母畜在前躯区域的瘀伤占比更高（P<0.001，达51.7%）。公畜的高瘀伤率与实际装载率存在显著关联。AWAC标准的估算值与巴西南马托格罗索州上潘塔纳尔地区的实际装载情况较为接近。