Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The effects of season on health, welfare, and carcass and meat quality of slaughter pigs

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Biometeorology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study assessed the effects of season on health, behaviour, physiological stress parameters, and carcass and meat quality in a total of 480 slaughter pigs. The following health indicators were recorded: pneumonia, pleurisy, milk spots, and pericarditis. Behaviour was monitored during unloading (slipping, falling, turning back, reluctance to move, panting, shivering) and lairaging (panting, shivering, huddling). Blood lactate and glucose concentrations were determined at exsanguination. Performance indices (live weight, daily weight gain), carcass (carcass weight, backfat and loin thickness, lean meat content, carcass lesion score), and meat quality (pH, temperature, drip, thawing and cooking losses, colour, marbling) traits were measured postmortem. Pigs slaughtered in winter had the highest live weight, carcass weight, loin thickness, and carcass lesion score, while the lowest live weight, carcass weight, and backfat thickness were recorded in pigs slaughtered in summer. The highest lactate and glucose concentrations were recorded in pigs slaughtered in summer. The highest prevalence of red, soft, and exudative meat was recorded in pigs slaughtered in winter. Pigs slaughtered in summer had the lowest pH, the highest thawing loss, L* value, b* value, and occurrence of pale, soft, and exudative meat. Pigs slaughtered in autumn had the lowest drip loss, cooking loss, L* value, b* value, and the greatest percentage of red, firm, and nonexudative meat. In conclusion, the summer and winter temperatures compromised health and welfare and reduced carcass and meat quality in slaughter pigs, indicating that protection against heat and cold stress is not yet effective.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Arduini A, Redaelli V, Luzi F, Dall'Olio S, Pace V, Costa L (2014) Effect of transport distance and season on some defects of fresh hams destined for DPO production. Animals 4(3):524–534. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani4030524

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen G, Enøe C (1999) The prevalence of pneumonia, pleuritis, pericarditis and liver spots in Danish slaughter pigs in 1998, including comparison with 1994. Dansk Veterinærtidsskrift 23:1006–1015

    Google Scholar 

  • Čobanović N, Bošković M, Vasilev D, Dimitrijević M, Parunović N, Djordjević J, Karabasil N (2016) Effects of various pre-slaughter conditions on pig carcasses and meat quality in a low-input slaughter facility. S Afr J Anim Sci 46:380–390. https://doi.org/10.4314/sajas.v46i4.6

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Čobanović N, Jamnikar-Ciglenečki U, Kirbiš A, Križman M, Štukelj M, Karabasil N (2019a) Impact of various housing conditions on the occurrence of pathological lesions in slaughtered pigs. Veterinarski Glasnik 73(1):17–29. https://doi.org/10.2298/VETGL190318010C

  • Čobanović N, Janković L, Vasilev D, Dimitrijević M, Teodorović V, Kureljušić B, Karabasil N (2019b) Slaughterline records of various postmortem pathological lesions and their influence on carcass and meat quality in slaughtered pigs. Anim Sci J 90:1475–1483. https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13287

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Čobanović N, Jamnikar-Ciglenečki U, Kirbiš A, Križman M, Štukelj M, Vićić I, Karabasil N (2020a) Coherence of clinical symptoms at antemortem inspection and pathological lesions at postmortem inspection in slaughter pigs. Kafkas Univ Vet Fak Derg 26:533–539. https://doi.org/10.9775/kvfd.2020.23884

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Čobanović N, Stanković SDJ, Dimitrijević M, Suvajdžić B, Grković N, Vasilev D, Karabasil N (2020b) Identifying physiological stress biomarkers for prediction of pork quality variation. Animals 10:614. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10040614

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Correa JEA, Gonyou HW, Torrey S, Widowski T, Bergeron R, Crowe TG, Laforest JP, Faucitano L (2013) Welfare and carcass and meat quality of pigs being transported for two hours using two vehicle types during two seasons of the year. Can J Anim Sci 93(1):43–55. https://doi.org/10.4141/CJAS2012-088

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Correa J, Gonyou H, Torrey S, Widowski T, Bergeron R, Crowe T, Laforest JP, Faucitano L (2014) Welfare of pigs being transported over long distances using a pot-belly trailer during winter and summer. Animals 4(2):200–213. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani4020200

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dalla Costa FA, Dalla Costa OA, Coldebella A, de Lima GJM, Ferraudo AS (2018) How do season, on-farm fasting interval and lairage period affect swine welfare, carcass and meat quality traits? Int J Biometeorol 63(11):1497–1505. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-018-1527-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DLGRD - Department of Local Government and Regional Development Western Australia (2003) Code of practice for the transportation of pigs in Western Australia – pig transportation. http://www.dlgrd.wa.gov.au/Publications/Docs/CodeOfPractice_PigsTrans.pdf.

  • Dottori M, Nigrelli AD, Bonilauri P, Merialdi G, Gozio S, Cominotti F (2007) Proposta di un nuovo sistema di punteggiatura delle pleuriti suine in sede di macellazione. La griglia S.P.E.S. (Slaughterhouse Pleuritis Evaluation System). Large Anim Rev 13:161–165 [in Italian]

    Google Scholar 

  • European Commission (2008) EC Regulation No. 1249/2008 of 10 December 2008 laying down detailed rules on the implementation of the community scales for the classification of beef, pig and sheep carcases and the reporting of prices thereof. ECOJ No. L3373–30

  • Faucitano L (2001) Causes of skin damage to pig carcasses. Can J Anim Sci 81:39–45. https://doi.org/10.4141/a00-031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faucitano L, Goumon S (2018) Transport of pigs to slaughter and associated handling. In: Advances in pig welfare. Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge, pp 261–293

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Fox J (2013) The effect of water sprinkling market pigs transported during summer on pig behaviour, gastrointestinal tract temperature and trailer micro-climate. University of Guelph, Dissertation

    Google Scholar 

  • González A, Ayuso D, Peña F, Martínez AL, Izquierdo M (2017) Effects of gender and diet on back fat and loin area ultrasound measurements during the growth and final stage of fattening in Iberian pigs. Arch Tierz 60:213–223. https://doi.org/10.5194/aab-60-213-2017

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goumon S, Brown JA, Faucitano L, Bergeron R, Widowski TM, Crowe T, Connor ML, Gonyou HW (2013a) Effects of transport duration on maintenance behavior, heart rate and gastrointestinal tract temperature of market-weight pigs in 2 seasons. J Anim Sci 91:4925–4935. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-6081

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Goumon S, Faucitano L, Bergeron R, Crowe T, Connor ML, Gonyou HW (2013b) Effect of ramp configuration on easiness of handling, heart rate, and behavior of near-market weight pigs at unloading. J Anim Sci 91(8):3889–3898. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-6083

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gregory NG (2010) How climatic changes could affect meat quality. Food Res Int 43:1866–1873. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2009.05.018

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guàrdia MD, Estany J, Balasch S, Oliver MA, Gispert M, Diestre A (2009) Risk assessment of skin damage due to pre-slaughter conditions and RYR1 gene in pigs. Meat Sci 81(4):745–751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2008.11.020

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haeussermann A, Vranken E, Aerts JM, Hartung E, Jungbluth T, Berckmans D (2007) Evaluation of control strategies for fogging systems in pig facilities. Trans ASABE 50:265–274. https://doi.org/10.13031/2013.22407

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jaeger HJ, Pearce GP, Tucker AW, Wood JLN, Done S, Strugnell B, Williamson S, Woodger N, Burling J, Habernoll H, Dewhirst J (2009) Pleurisy in pigs: associated risk factors and impact on health, welfare and performance 2005-2008 Milton Keynes BPEX.

  • Karabasil N, Bošković T, Tomašević I, Vasilev D, Dimitrijević M, Katanić N, Antić D (2018) Production of traditional meat products in small and micro establishments in Serbia: current status and future perspectives. Acta Vet-Beograd 68(4):373–390. https://doi.org/10.2478/acve20180031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Koćwin-Podsiadła M, Krzęcio E, Przybylski W (2006) Pork quality and methods of its evaluation-a review. Pol J Food Nutr Sci 15(3):241–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Lebret B, Meunier-Salaun MC, Foury A, Mormède P, Dransfield E, Dourma JY (2006) Influence of rearing conditions on performance, behavioral, and physiological responses of pigs to preslaughter handling, carcass traits, and meat quality. J Anim Sci 84:2436–2447. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2005-689

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Madec F, Kobisch M (1982) Bilan lésionnel des poumons de porcs char-cutiers à l‘abattoir. Journées de la Recherche Porcine 14:405–412. [in French]

  • Myer RO, Brendemuhl JH, Bucklin RA (2008) Effect of season on growth performance of finishing pigs fed low-protein, amino acid supplemented diets. J Appl Anim Res 34:1–8. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2008.9706930

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nakev J, Popova T, Ignatova M, Marinova P, Nikolova T (2016) Seasonal and year dynamics in the quality characteristics in pig carcasses. Biotech Anim Husbandry 32:341–352. https://doi.org/10.2298/bah1604341n

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nannoni E, Widowski T, Torrey S, Fox J, Rocha LM, Gonyou H, Weschenfelder AV, Crowe T, Martelli G, Faucitano L (2014) Water sprinkling market pigs in a stationary trailer. 2. Effects on selected exsanguination blood parameters and carcass and meat quality variation. Livest Sci 160:124–131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2013.11.022

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nannoni E, Liuzzo G, Serraino A, Giacometti F, Martelli G, Sardi L, Vitali M, Romagnoli L, Moscardini E, Ostanello F (2017) Evaluation of pre-slaughter losses of Italian heavy pigs. Anim Prod Sci 57(10):2072–2081. https://doi.org/10.1071/an15893

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • National Pork Board (2017) Transport quality assurance handbook (version 6). National Pork Board, Clive

    Google Scholar 

  • National Pork Producers Council (2000) In: Berg E (ed) Pork composition and quality assessment procedures. National Pork Producers Council, Des Monica, pp 1–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Oliveira EA, Bertol TM, Coldebela A, Santos Filho JI, Scandolera AJ, Warpechowski MB (2015) Live performance, carcass quality, and economic assessment of over 100kg slaughtered pigs. Arq Bras Med Vet Zootec 67(6):1743–1750. https://doi.org/10.1590/1678-4162-7632

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Neil DJ, Lynch PB, Troy DJ, Buckley DJ, Kerry JP (2003) Influence of the time of year on the incidence of PSE and DFD in Irish pigmeat. Meat Sci 64(2):105–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0309-1740(02)00116-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pereira TL, Titto EAL, Conte S, Devillers N, Sommavilla R, Diesel T, Dalla Costa FA, Guay F, Friendship R, Crowe T, Faucitano L (2018) Application of a ventilation fan-misting bank on pigs kept in a stationary trailer before unloading: effects on trailer microclimate, and pig behaviour and physiological response. Livest Sci 216:67–74. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2018.07.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Renaudeau D, Collin A, Yahav S, De Basilio V, Gourdine JL, Collier RJ (2012) Adaptation to hot climate and strategies to alleviate heat stress in livestock production. Anim 6(5):707–728. https://doi.org/10.1017/s1751731111002448

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sanchez-Vazquez MJ, Nielen M, Gunn GJ, Lewis FI (2012) National monitoring of Ascaris suum related liver pathologies in English abattoirs: a time-series analysis, 2005–2010. Vet Parasitol 184(1):83–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2011.08.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Santos C, Almeida JM, Matias EC, Fraqueza MJ, Roseiro C, Sardina L (1997) Influence of lairage environmental conditions and resting time on meat quality in pigs. Meat Sci 45(2):253–262. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0309-1740(96)00048-4

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scheeren MB, Gonyou HW, Brown J, Weschenfelder AV, Faucitano L (2014) Effects of transport time and location within truck on skin bruises and meat quality of market weight pigs in two seasons. Can J Anim Sci 94(1):71–78. https://doi.org/10.4141/cjas2013-136

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sionek B, Przybylski W (2016) The impact of ante-and post-mortem factors on the incidence of pork defective meat–a review. Ann Anim Sci 16(2):333–345. https://doi.org/10.1515/aoas-2015-0086

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sládek L, Mikule V (2018) Influences of housing systems and slaughter weight on the market realization of slaughter pigs by SEUROP classification. Acta Univ Agric et Silvic Mendel Brun 66(2):389–397. https://doi.org/10.11118/actaun201866020389

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SPSS (2015) Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows (version S23.0). SPSS Inc., Armonk, NY: IBM Corp., USA

  • Torrey S, Bergeron R, Faucitano L, Widowski T, Lewis N, Crowe T, Correa JA, Brown J, Hayne S, Gonyou HW (2013) Transportation of market-weight pigs: II. Effect of season and location within truck on behavior with an eight-hour transport. J Anim Sci 91(6):2872–2878. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2012-6006

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van de Perre V, Permentier L, De Bie S, Verbeke G, Geers R (2010a) Effect of unloading, lairage, pig handling, stunning and season on pH of pork. Meat Sci 86(4):931–937. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2010.07.019

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van de Perre V, Ceustermans A, Leyten J, Geers R (2010b) The prevalence of PSE characteristics in pork and cooked ham—effects of season and lairage time. Meat Sci 86(2):391–397. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2010.05.023

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vermeer H, Hopster H (2018) Operationalizing principle-based standards for animal welfare—indicators for climate problems in pig houses. Animals 8(4):44. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani8040044

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Voslarova E, Vecerek V, Passantino A, Chloupek P, Bedanova I (2017) Transport losses in finisher pigs: impact of transport distance and season of the year. Asian-Australas J Anim Sci 30(1):119–124. https://doi.org/10.5713/ajas.16.0265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner B, Polley L (1999) Ascaris suum: seasonal egg development rates in a Saskatchewan pig barn. Vet Parasitol 85(1):71–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0304-4017(99)00102-8

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Welfare Quality® (2009) Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for pigs (sow and piglets growing and finishing pigs). Welfare Quality® Consortium, L., The Netherlands

Download references

Funding

This work was financially supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia, Projects TR 31034, TR 31071, and III 46009.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, University of Belgrade, Bulevar oslobodjenja 18, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia

    Nikola Čobanović, Silvana Stajković, Mirjana Dimitrijević, Dragan Vasilev & Nedjeljko Karabasil

  2. Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Trg D. Obradovića 8, Novi Sad, 21101, Serbia

    Bojan Blagojević

  3. Institute of Meat Hygiene and Technology, Kaćanskog 13, Belgrade, 11000, Serbia

    Nikola Betić

Authors
  1. Nikola Čobanović
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Silvana Stajković
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Bojan Blagojević
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Nikola Betić
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mirjana Dimitrijević
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Dragan Vasilev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Nedjeljko Karabasil
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nikola Čobanović.

Additional information

Publisher’s note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Čobanović, N., Stajković, S., Blagojević, B. et al. The effects of season on health, welfare, and carcass and meat quality of slaughter pigs. Int J Biometeorol 64, 1899–1909 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01977-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-020-01977-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation