1523 head of 454kg. fed feedlot cattle were surveyed for discountable bruises in a large southwestern slaughter plant.

• The cattle were crossbreds with 1/8 to 1/2 Brahman breeding.
• In each group of animals 25% to 50% had either tipped or complete horns.
• The cattle were transported to the slaughter plant from six different feedlots.
• The distance transported was 30 to 240 km.

• Out of the 5% that had loin bruises, 2.3% had loin bruises that extended all the way through the carcass.
  Location of the bruises:
  • 45% loin
  • 23% back and withers
  • 2% rump
  • 15% flank
  • 11% rib
  • 4% on the shoulder

The producer gets the bruises deducted from his payment when the cattle are sold on a carcass basis.

13 truckloads of cattle were hauled from one feedlot in a 14.6m Wilson double deck fat cattle trailer which unloaded through a rear door.

• Loads consisting of 50 to 51 head had 10.2% discountable bruises overall, and 4.3% discountable loin bruises.
• Loads consisting of 48 to 49 head had 5.3% discountable bruises overall, and 1.3% discountable loin bruises.

Rough handling at the feedlot of origin was a major cause of bruises. A feedlot where rough handling occurred during weighing and loading was compared to a feedlot which had careful, quiet handling. The rough feedlot had 15.5% discountable bruises and the careful, quiet feedlot had 8.35% discountable bruises.

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