Producing clean cattle

The risk of carcase and meat contamination is greatly increased if dirty cattle are presented for slaughter. Presenting clean cattle for slaughter should be considered as an integral part of good management within a cattle finishing system. When dirty cattle are brought to the processing plant a very poor public image of beef finishing is presented as well as the potential human health risks.

A high percentage of cattle will need at least some cleaning before slaughter and for most farmers this means clipping cattle on the farm.

Good planning and management at farm level can greatly improve the cleanliness and reduce the amount of clipping required.

Clipping the tail and a strip along the back at housing will help to keep cattle drier and cleaner as well as reduce the level of ectoparisites. Flank and belly clipping should not be carried out at this stage as this will make later cleaning very difficult. A proper cattle race and handling facility should be used when clipping cattle to minimise the risk of injury.

The level and type of ration fed greatly affects the cleanliness of finishing cattle.

Low dry matter feeds such as wet silage or bulky feeds such as potatoes or brewers grains should be avoided. Careful selection of the finishing concentrate is also required. Research has shown that high levels of citrus pulp, dark distillers grains or high oil/fat contents can lead to dirtier cattle. Inclusion of straw along with high dry matter silage is recommended in the period before slaughter. Excess protein at the finishing stage should be avoided with the overall protein content of the diet not above 12 – 14 percent. Any changes to diets should be made gradually to prevent digestive upsets.

Good ventilation is essential as cattle will be drier and cleaner with less health risks.

Cattle should be housed at the correct stocking density whether on slats or on straw.

(A 500 KG animal requires 2.1sqm of floor space on slats and 4.2 sqm on bedded areas)

Cattle on solid floors need to be adequately bedded, for example,  two to three small bales of straw per finishing animal per week.

Very high stocking rates on slatted pens will result in dirtier cattle.

Cattle should be moved to straw bedded pens from slatted areas preferably three weeks prior to slaughter.

Cattle should be fed a high dry matter ration during this period and restricted to straw and water for the last day before slaughter.

Cattle with dirty coats in categories 3- 5 will need to be clipped. A purpose built crush that provides free and adequate access to both sides of the animal should be used for clipping. A power breaker should always be used along with the electric clippers.

Do not power wash cattle as it causes bruising of the flesh.

Where possible avoid mixing stock from various batches and ensure that cattle are transported in clean and well maintained vehicles. Animals should be dry when loaded and protected by a roof during transport with adequate ventilation above livestock height.

Our meat industry needs clean well finished cattle and farmers should continue to make every effort to ensure that this is achieved.