Effectiveness of carcass data collection in a cattle slaughterhouse

Abstract

To verify the effectiveness of the application of the UE carcass classification in a cattle slaughterhouse, one year of registered data were collected and analysed in detail, to highlight the critical point and to improve the performance of the technical staff, avoiding mistakes in registration. One year of records (corresponding to 49,486 heads) were collected on animals (genetic type, age, sex, live weight) and carcasses (weight, dressing percentage, category, conformation, and fatness). Data were statistically analysed (mean, minimum and maximum value, and/or frequency distribution) to verify their adequacy and to highlight mistakes in registration. The obtained results confirm the need to improve data collection, especially those regarding birth date, live and carcass weight, last two influencing also dressing percentage. Anyway, if the results of paying more attention should be to slow the processing line it could be better to check the data before their official processing.