| Along with the progress of our society and the improvement of people's living standard, people emphasis more on meat quality. The contrast of supply and demand of Chinese beef cattle highlights the investment value of Chinese beef cattle industry. However, the each link of Chinese beef industry chain is still not perfected, especially the inappropriate management before slaughter and the higher incidence of poor quality beef have restricted the fast development of domestic enterprise of beef cattle production. Using foreign theory system mechanically cannot solve the difficult problem of domestic beef cattle industry.The greatest meat quality problem that beef cattle production and market facing now is DFD beef. DFD(Dar?Firm?Dry)beef characterized by a dark color, firm texture,dry surface, which also called dark-cutting beef. The objective of this paper was to study the incidence of Chinese DFD beef, and established corresponding pre-slaughter management standards. The study was carried from September 2011 to January 2013, using the pH24?6.10 in the Longissimus dorsi muscle as the DFD beef appraisal standard. The incidence of DFD beef were analyzed in northwest, northeast, central plains three areas of China, recording pre-slaughter management indicators in each region, such as varieties, age, gender, slaughter time and slaughtering techniques, mixed group of state, transportation and lairage time etc, in order to obtain the causes of DFD beef incidence in different regions, providing feasible suggestions for the enterprises. Results revealed that:1. The average incidence of DFD beef in China reached 10.07%, While the incidence of northwest and central plains respectively were 17.70% and 23.61%, obviously higher than the incidence of 4.89% in Northeast China. The main pre-slaughter management factors affecting the incidence of Chinese DFD beef were transportation time and quality, lairage state and time, operation specification of workers.2. The pre-slaughter management in Northeast China is relatively perfect, and cattle supply is enough, the average transport time is less than 4 h, lairage time is 20-22 h with unmixed group state, greatly reduced the incidence of DFD beef.3. The main pre-slaughter management factors affecting the incidence of DFD beef in Northwest China were slaughter time and operation specification of workers. The incidence in the afternoon was 30.82%, obviously higher than 7.64% in the morning, which was affected by the rest time before slaughter, slaughtering stress and the handling of workers. So the northwest region should strictly control management factors, and also need to strengthen the training and management of workers.4. The main pre-slaughter management factors affecting the incidence of DFD beef in central plains area were transportation and lairage. The cattle supply of this area is not enough, transport time varied, and transport quality easily affected by weather and workers. Lairage time generally less than 24, and slaughter density is too small. This area should reduce transport time, improve transport quality, strengthen the training of workers, and ensure proper lairage time, suitable lairage density and unmixed group of lairage statue.5. Pre-slaughter management specification of cattle can be constructed from the following aspects:?. Proper loading and unloadingUsing ramp recommended to loading and unloading connection, the best slope gradient is not more than 20 °. All the ground and ramp must be non-slip, recommend unmixed group of load transportation, avoid using electricity driven rod to avoid scratches.?. Transportation managementControlling transport time:chose within 4 h of short-distance transport, avoid long-distance transportation. Keeping comfortable transportation density:transportation density should be greater than 1.2 m~2/head. Strengthen the quality of transportation:The ground should be slippery prevented, transportation vehicles shall carry out routine maintenance to ensure good status. Transport route shall follow the principle of steady and shortest. Select smooth surface, avoid potholes sections and slamming on the brakes and suddenly sped. Transport shall be carried out in moderate conditions, avoiding transport under the extremely bad weather, maintaining proper ventilation.III. Lairage managementSelection of lairage time:optimal slaughter time is 24 hours. Selection of lairage environment:Slaughter should follow the principle of unmixed and no separation. Slaughter density should be greater than 2.6 m~2/head. To ensure the supply of clean drinking water in pre-slaughter process, reduce unpleasant noise as far as possible, keep appropriate temperature and humidity and good ventilation, guarantee quiet and comfortable environment.IV. Driving correctlyUsing the nature of cattle to make them move automatically, such as fight zone and balance point, avoid violent driving with the nasal forceps and beat herding. Design reasonable pre-slaughter facilities, uniform color, curved cattle, bright light and airtight enclosures, as far as possible to reduce stress. Design good prevent slippery floor, door, fence, and orbit, effectively avoid scratches of cattle caused by fall.V. Workers operating specificationUse experienced technical management workers, and strengthen training. Transport workers should drive carefully, ensure considerate driving style. During the livestock pre-slaughter, staff should provide adequate space and water. At the time of slaughter, the staff should abide by the operation specification. |
PDF Full Text Request