Osmar Antonio Dalla Costa

Strategies to promote farm animal welfare in Latin America and their effects on carcass and meat quality traits.

Several initiatives, including research and development, increasing stakeholders awareness and application of legislation and recommendation, have been carried out in Latin America to promote animal welfare and meat quality. Most activities focused on the impact of pre-slaughter conditions (facilities, equipment and handling procedures) on animal welfare and meat quality. The results are encouraging; data from Brazil, Chile and Uruguay showed that the application of the improved pre-slaughter handling practices reduced aggressive handling and the incidence of bruised carcasses at slaughter in cattle and pigs. These outcomes stimulated some to apply animal welfare concepts in livestock handling within the meat production chain as shown by the increasing demand for personnel training on the best. To attend this demand is important to expand local studies on farm animal welfare and to set up (or maintain) an efficient system for knowledge transfer to all stakeholders in the Latin America meat production chains. However, it is clear that to promote the long-term progress in this field is important to deliver practical solutions, assuring that they match the technical and financial conditions of those who are the target of training programs.

Development of a readily applied method to quantify ractopamine residue in meat and bone meal by QuEChERS-LC-MS/MS.

A QuEChERS method of ractopamine (RCT) residue detection in swine meat and bone meal (MBM) samples was demonstrated. Samples were hydrolyzed with protease and β-glucuronidase prior to QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) extraction and clean-up. Samples were analyzed in a Liquid Chromatography (equipped with ACE 5 C18 column under gradient elution) coupled with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer operating in positive electrospray ionization mode (using multiple reaction monitoring, MRM). The method was validated for its specificity, decision limit (CCα), detection capability (CCβ), recovery, repeatability, reproducibility, linearity, limits of detection (LODs), quantification (LOQs), and stability according to international guidelines (European Commission Decision 2002/657/EC). Recoveries ranged from 96.3 to 107.0%. Repeatability and reproducibility showed both RSD<5.7% and 3.1%, respectively. LODs and LOQs were 1.91 and 6.36 ppb, respectively. CCα and CCβ values were 1.91 and 2.37 ppb, respectively. RCT showed good stability for spiked samples and real samples when the concentration was higher, otherwise at lower concentration stability was lower. The proposed method can be successfully applied on a regular basis for the determination of RCT in MBM, demonstrating the usefulness of the method as a tool for compliance monitoring in regulatory laboratories.

Behaviour of pre-parturient sows housed in intensive outdoor or indoor systems

This work compared the behaviour of pre-parturient sows housed in intensive confined and outdoor systems, during the morning and afternoon prior to delivery. Eight sows were kept individually in farrowing crates or in paddocks with access to fresh pasture from 8 to 10 days before expected parturition. All outdoor sows built a nest within 24 hours before farrowing. On the morning and afternoon before farrowing they spent 6.5% of the time collecting grass and 7.5% of the time organizing the nest. Outdoor sows were observed more often than confined sows rooting (4.60% vs. 0.25%), feeding (10.2% vs. 3.0%), standing (51% vs. 13%) and walking (8% vs. 0%). Indoor sows redirected the nesting behaviour to other behaviours like attempts to dig the ground, nosing, biting and rooting parts of the crate, feeder or drinker, during 4.7% of the time. They also spent more time than outdoor sows inactive (85% vs. 60%), lying (72% vs. 41%), drinking (2.1% vs. 0.5%) and vacuum chewing (3.7% vs. 0.1%). The pre-parturient behaviour of sows was considerably affected by the husbandry system. The outdoor system appears to be more appropriate for the sows welfare than the conventional confinement.

Avaliação de Coberturas de Cabanas de Maternidade em Sistema Intensivo de Suínos Criados ao Ar Livre (Siscal), no Verão

The objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental thermal conditions of different maternity hut covering materials, in the summer period through the following treatments: 1) maternity hut with polystyrene fecula covering 2) maternity hut with isolation of aluminum covering 3) maternity hut with screen and grass covering 4) maternity hut with canvas and grass covering 5) outdoor environment 6) under shade a tree. The six treatments were arranged in a randomized split-plot design where the six treatments were in the plot with five schedules hours in the subplots and three replicates. Sow lactantes Landrace x Large White were alloted at random considering farrowing order. Relative Humidity Air (RH), Air Speed, and Environmental Temperature (Te) data were determined and Black Globe Humidity Index (BGHI) and the Radiant Thermic Load (RTL) were calculated. The materials used as maternity hut covering improved the animal thermal comfort but they were not enough to assist ideal conditions for thermal comfort.

Effectiveness of pneumatically powered penetrating and non-penetrating captive bolts in stunning cattle

This study assessed the effectiveness of penetrating (PCB; 190u202fpsi; Nu202f=u202f363) and non-penetrating captive bolt guns (NPCB; 210-220u202fpsi; Nu202f=u202f92) to stun a total of 455 cattle (Zebu and Zebu Cross). Physical bolt parameters (momentum, kinetic energy and energy density) were evaluated. Clinical indicators of brain function were recorded after stunning (GR), after being hoisted (HO) and at the bleeding rail (BL). Physical bolt parameters (bolt velocity, momentum, kinetic energy, energy density and sectional density) were significantly higher (Pu202f<u202f0.001) for PCB. The need for two or more shots was more frequent for NPCB (210-220u202fpsi; 29% vs. 12%, Pu202f<u202f0.001). Cattle were more likely to collapse at first shot with PCB (190u202fpsi; 99%) compared to NPCB (91%; Pu202f<u202f0.002) which can be attributed to the higher values of bolt physical parameters. Incidence of eyeball rotation (5% vs. 1%) and righting behaviour (7% vs. 1%) were higher (Pu202f<u202f0.001) for NPCB (210-220u202fpsi) at GR than PCB. The NPCB with 210-220u202fpsi had a higher frequency of response to nostril stimulation (2% vs. 0%; Pu202f<u202f0.001) than PCB. Rhythmic respiration was more frequently found for NPCB with 210-220u202fpsi at GR, HO and BL. Therefore, PCB with 190u202fpsi was more effective in ensuring unconsciousness in cattle.

Effects of the Truck Suspension System on Animal Welfare, Carcass and Meat Quality Traits in Pigs

Simple Summary Transportation is a complex stressor in which animals are exposed to a series negatively stimuli, such as vibration, new environmental conditions, variation in temperature and humidity, social mixing, noises among other poor factors, which can result in welfare problems and economic losses such as increased skin lesions, poorer pork quality traits. Transport stress may be reduced through a vehicle suspension system that provides a much smoother ride during transport, and consequently is less aversive to pigs. However, air suspension systems are more expensive and have bigger maintenance costs. This increase in transportation cost must be supported by the benefits from improvements in quality of freight transport; otherwise, the truckers will be paying unnecessarily for a similar or equivalent ride quality. Thus, finishing pigs were assessed after transport to slaughter by the same two double-decked trucks using two types of commercial vehicle suspension, leaf-spring and air suspension, to compare effects on blood cortisol and lactate at exsanguination, behaviour during lairage, and carcass (skin lesions) and pork quality traits. The use of leaf-spring suspension system negatively affects the welfare of pigs due to the increased carcass damage and resulted in poorer pork quality traits. Abstract The objective of this study was to assess the effects of two types of commercial suspension (leaf-spring (LS) vs. air suspension (AS)) installed on two similar double-decked trucks on blood cortisol and lactate concentration, lairage behavior, carcass skin lesions and pork quality traits of 120 crossbred pigs. The suspension type neither influenced pig behaviour in lairage nor blood cortisol and lactate concentrations (p > 0.10). However, when compared with the AS suspension system, the use of LS increased the number of skin lesions in the back and thigh (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively) and produced thigh with lower pHu (p < 0.001) and yellower colour (higher b* value; p = 0.03), and paler back muscles (subjective colour; p < 0.05), with a tendency to lower pH (p = 0.06). Therefore, the use air suspension system can improve carcass and meat quality traits of pigs transported to slaughter.

Abate humanitário de suínos

The aim of this review was to describe the procedures related to pre-slaughter management to enable the humane slaughter of pigs. The pre-slaughter management is defined as the set of practices for them from the property to the fridge. These procedures have received more attention from the moment that stress was diagnosed among the main responsibilities for losses related to meat quality and economy of the entire system. The shipment, transportation, landing, fasting, water diet, the types and adequacy of stunning and bleeding efficiency are factors that need training for producers, employees and others involved with the production chain for pigs to keep them from interfering with the welfare of these animals.

Fatores de risco associados ao vício de sucção em leitões na fase de creche

Risk factors associated with the suckling vice in post-weaning piglets were studied in an epidemiological survey in 65 swine herds in South Brazil. This follow-up study was performed in one group of piglets from each herd from birth to 21 days post weaning. Every group was composed by piglets from at least six litters. Data related to housing, feeding, breeding practices, internal environment in the weaning facilities and individual piglets performance were collected for descriptive and multiple correspondence analyses. Suckling vice was identified in 23 (35.4%) herds and groups presenting suckling vice had lower growth rates (P<0.005). Main risk factors associated with suckling vice were weaning weight lower than 6.3kg, unavailability of drinkers for piglets in the farrowing house, occurrence of post-weaning diarrhea, post-weaning drinkers of a different model than the ones available during the suckling term, inadequate axis direction of the building, presence of signs of mange, no all-in-all-out procedure in the post-weaning facilities, and the use of feed restriction immediately after weaning. The authors suggest that a correction of these factors would reduce the occurrence of suckling vice in post-weaning piglets and improve their grow rates after weaning.

Evaluation of brain damage resulting from penetrating and non–penetrating stunning in Nelore Cattle using pneumatically powered captive bolt guns

Brain damage resulting from penetrating and non-penetrating stunning of Nelore cattle using pneumatically powered captive bolt guns was evaluated. Heads were shot using penetrating captive bolt gun with 160u202fpsi (P1; nu202f=u202f10), 175u202fpsi (P2; nu202f=u202f10), 190u202fpsi (P3; nu202f=u202f12), and non-penetrating operating with 220u202fpsi (NP; nu202f=u202f10). Skin and bone thickness, bolt penetration angle, bolt penetration depth, haemorrhage over the cerebral hemispheres and laceration were assessed. Only P1 had shots that failed to perforate the skull (nu202f=u202f2; 20%). Bolt penetration depth and haemorrhage over the right cerebral hemisphere was significantly (Pu202f≤u202f0.05) greater for P3. Subarachnoid haemorrhage over the frontal, parietal and occipital lobes was higher for NP. Lacerations were observed only for penetrating gun in the cortical region of frontal and parietal lobes. Subarachnoid haemorrhage surrounding the brainstem and laceration in the midbrain and pons was only found for P3. Thus, penetrating captive bolt gun operating with 190u202fpsi is more effective to achieve unconsciousness.

Ractopamine analysis in pig kidney, liver and lungs: A validation of the method scope extension using QuEChERS as a sample preparation step

Ractopamine has been allowed by some countries as a repartitioning additive in pig diet, since it promotes protein synthesis and fat lipolysis. Most regulatory agencies only propose the ractopamine assessment in meat, kidney, liver and fat. Aiming at contributing to the scarcity data regarding this analyte in pig lungs, we extended the scope of a LC-MS method to evaluate pig offals. Homogenized tissue samples were extracted by a QuEChERS procedure; following by clean up steps and further tandem mass spectrometry determination. Method performance was evaluated through specificity, recovery, linearity, reproducibility, repeatability, decision limit (CCα), and detection capability (CCβ), in accordance to the Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Regression coefficients (R2) between 0.994 and 0.999 were achieved for kidney, liver and lungs. Recoveries ranged from 92.0 to 127%. CCα and CCβ values ranged from 3.65 to 4.86u202fμgu202fkg-1, and from 6.27 to 7.21u202fμgu202fkg-1, respectively. These values were under the maximum residue limits suggested by Codex Alimentarius, which are 90 and 40u202fμgu202fkg-1 for kidney and liver, respectively. When applied to real samples up to 22.5, 92 and 1003u202fμgu202fkg-1 of ractopamine residues were detected in pig liver, kidney and lungs, respectively. The results allowed concluding that the proposed analytical method is capable to detect ractopamine residues in all evaluated matrices. Therefore, it can be successfully applied and used as a routine method in laboratories of residue analysis.