Condenações de carcaças suínas em abatedouro comercial

Abstract

The research was conducted to evaluate the main causes of carcasses condemnation in commercial slaughterhouse, its relations with the season of the year and to estimate the damage to slaughter industry due to its occurrence. The data related to condemnation of carcasses, for the years 2007 to 2009 were obtained from a commercial slaughterhouse, located in the city of Dourados, MS, and converted into percentage of the total number of animals slaughtered in the period. The data related to climatic conditions (temperature and RH) were obtained from the meteorological station of UFGD, Dourados, MS. Based on meteorological data obtained, were calculated the temperature ranges and the temperature and humidity index (THI). Were considered all causes of condemnation of carcasses observed, total or partial, being the main (most frequent) grouped into classes (pleurisy+pneumonia, enteritis, arthritis, abscesses, fractures+contusions+deaths). The total rate of carcasses condemnation was low and remained stable over the years studied. The most prevalent causes of condemnation during the study period were abscesses and deaths in the transport, which together accounted for approximately 40% of all condemnation. The condemnation of health problems tended to decrease or stability over the years. However, the condemnations caused by management problems (abscesses, fractures, injuries and deaths) showed a significant increase. Considering together the climatic factors temperature and relative humidity, it was observed that only during the months from May to September, the animals were under comfort condition (61 <THI≤65) and intermediate (65 <THI≤69) and in the remaining months under stress (69 <THI≤73). Although the data have shown great variability over the years and in different seasons, there was an increase in the incidence of condemnations related to management problems (fracture + deaths + injuries), respiratory problems (pneumonia + pleuritis) and arthritis in warmer seasons of the year, corresponding to higher temperature and humidity index (THI). The other classes evaluated did not present a standard on their occurrence throughout the year. The average annual loss to the integrator due to the condemnation of carcasses was approximately of a million reais in the years studied. The main reasons for condemnation of carcasses come from failures in management. High temperatures associated with high relative humidity favored the increase of carcass condemnations for fractures, injuries, deaths in transport, arthritis and respiratory problems. The amount that ceases to be raised annually by the company may be invested in training of manpower in order to reduce the rates of carcasses condemnation.