Article
Causes, dynamics and financial losses associated with red offal condemnation at a beef abattoir in Namibia
  • December 2020
  • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety 5(4)
1.4
Citations
0
Tafara Mapuvire
0 new
1
·
Peter T Birteeb
0 new
30
Article
Causes, dynamics and financial losses associated with red offal condemnation at a beef abattoir in Namibia
Please check this summary of your article
Test
We're testing a new feature which would provide a 1-sentence summary of an article to help others quickly decide if it is relevant for them.
We need your help to find out how accurate this automatically generated summary is. This summary is for testing purposes – only you can see it.
Summary
Red offal condemnations at a beef abattoir in Namibia from 2016 to 2018 were investigated. Causes of condemnation, temporal distributions and financial
How good would this summary be at helping others quickly decide if your article is relevant for them?
Rate it on a scale of 1 to 5 stars
Abstract and figures
There are limited studies on red offal condemnations and financial implications at high throughput abattoirs in Namibia. Causes of condemnation, temporal distributions and financial losses associated with red offal condemnations at a beef abattoir in Namibia from 2016 to 2018 were investigated. A total of 39157 red offal valued at N$6 422 586.00 (US$364 805) were condemned following the slaughter of 251697 cattle. Condemnations were dependent on year [X2(14) = 587.13, p<0.001], month [X2(77) = 1898.72, p<0.001] and season [X2(7) = 111.12, p<0.001] of study. Overall, 2016 had the most and 2018 the least condemnation of red offal (38.73% and 23.22%, respectively; p<0.05). Most red offal condemnations (13.34%, p<0.001) were recorded in June, with livers and lungs as the most condemned organs (54.32% and 29.88%, respectively; p<0.001). The highest condemnations were caused by miscellaneous causes (abscesses and hematomas) followed, in descending order, by inflammatory, parasitic and bacterial causes and contaminations (38.3%, 29.4%, 16.6% and 15.8%, respectively, p<0.05). Liver condemnations varied with the year and season of study [X2(20) = 1834.02, p<0.001 and X2(9) = 1010.43, p<0.001; respectively], as were lung condemnations according to pathological condition [X2(12) = 492.43, p<0.001 and X2(6) = 45.84, p<0.001; respectively]. The occurrence of hydatidosis in the summer and pneumonia in winter was greater than expected (15.1% and 4.3%; respectively, p<0.05). A substantial loss of revenue to the abattoir due to the condemnation of livers and lungs was determined. Meat inspection served as a control point for hydatidosis.
… 
Monthly distribution of organ condemnations according to pathological condition at the abattoir
The seasonal distribution of organ condemnations by pathological condition
Figure content uploaded by Oscar Madzingira
Author content
Content may be subject to copyright.
Content uploaded by Oscar Madzingira
Author content
Content may be subject to copyright.
Page 1
J food safe & hyg; Vol 5 No. 4 Autumn 2019 Causes, dynamics and financial losses associated with red offal condemnation at a beef abattoir in Namibia Erick Kandiwa1, Pricilla Mbiri1, Alaster Samkange1, Oscar Madzingira1*, Adrianatus Maseke2, Jessey Alice Kamwi2, Borden Mushonga1 1School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Namibia, Neudamm Campus, Namibia. 2Directorate of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Namibia. ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT Article history: Received 06 Oct. 2019 Received in revised form 28 Nov. 2019 Accepted 24 Dec 2019 Keywords: Abattoir; Condemnation; Infections; Inflammation; Red offal There are limited studies on red offal condemnations and their financial implications at high throughput abattoirs in Namibia. Causes of condemnation, temporal distributions and financial losses associated with red offal condemnations at a beef abattoir in Namibia from 2016 to 2018 were determined. A total of 39157 red offal valued at N$6 422 586.00 (US$364 805) were condemned following the slaughter of 251697 cattle. Condemnations were dependent on the year [X2(14) = 587.13, p<0.001], month [X2(77) = 1898.72, p<0.001] and season [X2(7) = 111.12, p<0.001] of study. Overall, 2016 had the most and 2018 the least condemnation of red offal (38.73% and 23.22%, respectively; p<0.05). Most red offal condemnations (13.34%, p<0.001) occurred in June, with livers and lungs as the most condemned organs (54.32% and 29.88%, respectively; p<0.001). The highest condemnations were caused by miscellaneous causes (such as abscesses and hematomas) followed, in descending order, by inflammatory, parasitic and bacterial causes and contaminations (38.3%, 29.4%, 16.6% and 15.8%, respectively, p<0.05). Liver condemnations varied with the year and season under study [X2(20) = 1834.02, p<0.001 and X2(9) = 1010.43, p<0.001; respectively], as were lung condemnations according to pathological condition [X2(12) = 492.43, p<0.001 and X2(6) = 45.84, p<0.001; respectively]. The occurrence of hydatidosis in the summer and pneumonia in winter were greater than expected (15.1% and 4.3%; respectively, p<0.05). A substantial loss of revenue to the abattoir due to the condemnation of livers and lungs was determined. Meat inspection served as a control point for hydatidosis.1.IntroductionAgriculture contributes 10-11.7% to GDP of Namibia and provides livelihood for about 70% of the population. It produces 2% of the manufacturing output and brings in about 11.5% of the country’s foreign earnings (1,2,3). The commercial livestock sector, with substantial beef cattle production, contributes up to 85% of the country’s agricultural income (1). *Corresponding author. Tel.: +2648135930723E-mail address: omuzembe@gmail.comNamibia is divided into the northern communal areas (NCA) and a largely commercial southern part by an east-west running veterinary cordon fence (VCF) separating the foot and mouth disease (FMD) prone north from the FMD free south (2,4,5). The FMD free southern areas supply cattle to abattoirs located in the same zone, which process and supply beef to the lucrative niche markets of the European Union, United Kingdom (UK), Norway and, more recently, China and the United States of America (6). Meat inspection in Namibian abattoirs is a rigorous process that is based on the Meat Safety Act (7) and adheres to the strict hygiene requirements of the importing countries (3). The objective of the meat inspection process is to exclude harmful disease agents, Content list available at google scholar Journal of Food Safety and HygieneJournal homepage: http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir Citation: Kandiwa E, Mbiri P, Samkange A, Madzingira O, Maseke A, Kamwi JA, Mushonga B. Causes, dynamics and financial losses associated with red offal condemnation at a beef abattoir in Namibia. J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir
Page 2
chemical and physical hazards so as to provide wholesome, attractive and safe meat to consumers (3,8-10). The process also captures valuable animal health related data that can be used as an epidemiological tool for the surveillance of animal diseases (11-14). In addition, meat inspection plays a central role in the detection and prevention of transmission of zoonotic diseases into the humanpopulation(15,16). Disease or conditions produce blemishes or lesions of a developmental, degenerative, inflammatory or neoplastic nature that make the organs or offal unacceptable for human consumption (15-17). Infectious (mainly parasitic, bacterial, viral) and non-infectious (traumatic, neoplasia and contamination) conditions, resulting in condemnation of offal have been extensively studied (15,18,19). Parasitic, bacterial and traumatic lesions have been reported as the major cause of lesions in offal (10,20-25). Parasitic and bacterial infections often show annual (18), seasonal (14,26,27) and even monthly patterns. Years of good rains, warmth and moisture of summer months promote intermediate host and parasite multiplication (28), while winter months promote bacterial transmission as a result of animals huddling together in order to keep warm. Reports from previous studies indicate that livers followed by lungs, are the most commonly condemned organs/offal in cattle (17,19,25,29,30). However, other workers, have reported a higher prevalence of lung than liver condemnations (11,16,20,31). With regard to liver condemnation, Fasciola (18,28,32-38), followed by metacestode cysts of Cysticercus bovis (21) and/or Echinoccocus granulosus (10,16,39,40) have been reported to be the major causes of condemnation. Bacteria such as Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Proteus and Mycobacterium bovis have also been isolated from abscesses and other lesions in condemned livers and lungs (41-43). Other causes of liver condemnation include, cirrhosis, jaundice and discolouration (10,18,44,45). With respect to lungs, a number of authors report that pneumonia is the leading cause of condemnation (11,12,20,33,41,46). In other studies, hydatid cysts (8,10,47), Mycobacterium bovis (11,41) and Mycoplasma mycoides mycoides have been implicated (46,48). Emphysema, congestion, abscesses, atelectasis and haemorrhages are conditions that have also been identified in the lungs (11,15,25,41,47). Causes and the rate of condemnation of heart, kidney and tongue condemnations tend to vary from study to study (3,40,46). There are a number of studies on meat condemnation from developing countries (23,49) including from West Africa (11,19,31,48,50), East Africa (20,25,33,34,44,51), particularly from Ethiopia (40,45,47,52) and Southern Africa (15,27,32,37,38,53). However, there are limited studies on meat condemnation from Namibia (3,22,54,55), although data on condemnations is available in monthly and annual reports of the Directorate of Veterinary Services in the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry. Of the studies on meat condemnation in Namibia, two focused on the condemnation of beef carcasses and organs (3,54), one determined the incidence of cysticercosis at a beef abattoir (55), while another focussed on bruising as a quality issue and a cause of condemnation in beef carcasses (22). None of the studies reported on the proportional condemnation of cattle red offal. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify the causes and dynamics of red offal condemnations and to estimate the associated financial losses at a high throughput abattoir. 2.Materials and Methods2.1. Study area Namibia is located at 22°58'1.42"S and 18°29'34.80"E in the southwestern part of Africa. It is divided into 14 administrative regions. A veterinary cordon fence separates the FMD-free Southern Namibia from the FMD infected and protected regions in the north. 2.2. Study animals, slaughter and dressing procedures Cattl e destined for slaughter at t he stud y abattoir originated from farms and a feedlot south of the Veterinary Cordon Fence of Namibia. The farms and feedlot were under continuous surveillance for animal diseases by the state veterinary service and were approved to send animals for slaughter. Slaughter animals were transported to the abattoir by road in approved transport vehicles. On the day of arrival, cattl e were subjected to ante-mortem inspection in hold ing pens. After overnight rest, slaughter was achieved through jugular vein and carotid artery exsanguination of captive bolt stunned cattle. Thereafter, electrical stimulation and carcass dressing (head, hide and hoof removal, evisceration and splitting of carcasses) were performed as per abattoir standard operating procedures and following hygiene standards based on the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP). 2.3. Study design and data collection 238Kandiwa E, et al./ J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir
Page 3
Daily condemnation records for cattle slaughtered at the export abattoir from 2016-2018 were retrieved and used for this study. Records included results of ante-mortem inspection, number of animals slaughtered and organs condemned at post-mortem or meat inspection. Post-mortem inspection was performed on correlated carcass halves and offal by trained meat inspectors under the supervision of a qualified state veterinarian. The meat inspection service at high throughput or export abattoirs in Namibia is administered by government officials from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) within the Ministry of Agriculture Water and Forestry (MAWF). Post-mortem inspection was performed through visual appraisal of organ colour and morphology, palpation to ascertain organ consistency and systematic incisions into the visceral organs according to the procedures prescribed by the Meat Safety Act (Act No. 40 of 2000). Suspicious samples were submitted to the Central Veterinary Laboratories (CVL) for confirmatory diagnosis. Meat that passed inspection was washed, graded, weighed and immediately chilled. Condemned carcasses and offal were passed through a designated condemnation channel to the condemnation room for treatment at the by-products area or for direct disposal. For the purpose of this study, red offal was designated to include the skin-off head, tongue, oesophagus, heart, lung, kidney, liver and spleen. Categories designated for analysis of condemnations included contaminations (floor, milk, pus, rumen fluid and faecal), infections (echinococcosis/hydatidosis, cysticercosis, Stilesia hepatica, actinomycosis and actinobacillosis), inflammation (hepatitis, peritonitis, pleuritis, nephritis and oedema) and miscellaneous conditions (haematoma/blood vessel abnormalities, emphysema, melanosis and abscess). For the purpose of seasonal analysis of condemnations in this study, two seasons were designated; the wet season (November to April) and the dry season (May to October). The monetary values assigned to red offal in this study were based on gazetted red offal prices and weights at abattoir at the time of the study. 2.4. Statistical analysis Data on condemnations were captured onto a Microsoft Excel 2013 spreadsheet. Pivot tables were subsequently used to determine the proportional distribution of animals based on year, season, month, organ type and cause of condemnation categories. The data was exported to the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 for further analysis. The Chi square test was used to test for association of categories and the Z test was used for comparison of proportions, where p ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. 3.ResultsA total of 251697 cattle were slaughtered at the abattoir under study over a 36-month period (Table 1) giving an overall red offal condemnation rate of 15.56% (39157/251697). The proportion of condemned organs varied with the year of study [X2(14) = 587.13, p<0.001]. The overall proportion of condemned livers and lungs were significantly greater than those of the rest of the red offal (54.32% and 29.88%, respectively; p<0.001). A total of N$6 422 586 (US$364 805) was lost through condemnation of red offal during the study period and the majority of this revenue loss was attributable to liver, lung and head condemnations (62.1%, 18.3% and 10.8%; respectively). Throughout the study period, the proportion of condemned organs was dependent on the month of study [X2(77) = 1898.72, p<0.001] and the month of June had the highest number and proportion of condemned organs (13.34%, p<0.001). Throughout the study, the proportional distribution of organ condemnations varied with the season of study [X2(7) = 111.12, p<0.001], with a higher rate of organ condemnation in winter than in the summer season (60.52% and 39.48%, respectively, p<0.001). The proportion of condemned lungs in the summer (12.29%, p<0.05) and heads, kidneys, and pluck in winter (3.82%, 0.21% and 1.25%, respectively; p<0.05) was significantly greater than expected. The proportion of organ condemnations according to pathological condition was dependent on the year of study [X2(6) = 917.14, p<0.001] (Table 2). The proportion of organs condemned due to contaminations and inflammation in 2016 (7.8% and 12.3%, respectively, p < 0.05), miscellaneous causes in 2017 (12.29%, p<0.05) and inflammation and infections in 2018 (7.5% and 4.9%, respectively, p<0.05) were greater than expected. Overall, the highest proportion of condemnations were due to miscellaneous causes followed in descending order by inflammation, infections and contaminations (38.3%, 29.4%, 16.6% and 15.8%, respectively, p<0.05). Overall, the proportion of organs condemned per pathological condition varied with the month [X2(33) = 1461.7, p<0.001] (Table 3) and season of study [X2(3) = 82.61, p<0.001]. The proportion of organs condemned due to contaminations in March and April (1.7% and 2.0%; respectively, p<0.05); inflammation in March, 239Causes, dynamics and financial losses with red offal/ J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir
Page 4
Table 1. Proportions and value of organs condemned at theabattoir from 2016 to 2018 *values were greater than expected since p≤0.05; values with the same suffixa in the same row were significantly different since p≤0.05 Table 2. Annual distribution of organ condemnations at the abattoir per pathological conditionYear Contaminations (%) Inflammation (%) Infections (%) Miscellaneous# (%) Total (%) 2016 3071 (7.8)* 4835 (12.3)* 2165 (5.5) 5096 (13.0) 15167 (38.7)a 2017 2026 (5.2) 3761 (9.6) 2405 (6.1) 6704 (17.1)* 14896 (38.0)a 2018 1077 (2.8) 2926 (7.5)* 1912 (4.9)* 3179 (8.1) 9094 (23.2)aTotal 6174 (15.8) 11522 (29.4) 6482 (16.6) 14979 (38.3) 39157 (100.0) *values were greater than expected since p<0.05; #Abscess, angioma, melanosis and emphysema; values with the same suffix withincolumns were significantly different since p≤0.05 Table 3. Monthly distribution of organ condemnations according to pathological condition at the abattoir Month Contaminations (%) Inflammation (%) Infections (%) Miscellaneous# (%) Total (%) January 110 (0.3) 321 (0.8) 168 (0.4) 454 (1.2)* 1053 (2.7) February 341 (0.9) 554 (1.4) 335 (0.9) 989 (2.5)* 2219 (5.7) March 666 (1.7)* 1188 (3.0)* 606 (1.5) 1215 (3.1) 3675 (9.4) April 794 (2.0)* 788 (2.0) 961 (2.5)* 1709 (4.4) 4252 (10.9) May 756 (1.9) 924 (2.4) 1206 (3.1)* 1457 (3.7) 4343 (11.1) June 852 (2.2) 1679 (4.3)* 922 (2.4) 1772 (4.5) 5225 (13.3) July 630 (1.6) 1234 (3.2) 407 (1.0) 1822 (4.7)* 4093 (10.5) August 639 (1.6) 1322 (3.4)* 608 (1.6) 1475 (3.8) 4044 (10.3) September 450 (1.1) 1076 (2.7)* 380 (1.0) 1265 (3.2) 3171 (8.1) October 412 (1.1) 1105 (2.8)* 375 (1.0) 929 (2.4) 2821 (7.2) November 370 (0.9) 997 (2.5) 332 (0.8) 1493 (3.8)* 3192 (8.2) December 154 (0.4) 334 (0.9) 182 (0.5) 399 (1.0) 1069 (2.7) Total 6174 (15.8) 11522 (29.4) 6482 (16.6) 14979 (38.3) 39157 (100.0) *values were greater than expected since p≤0.05 Year (n=Total slaughter) Organ condemned 2016 (n=95106) 2017 (n=84922) 2018 (n=71669) Overall (n=251697) Revenue loss (NAD) Heads (%) 1048 (2.68)* 730 (1.86) 535 (1.37) 2313 (5.91) 693 900 (10.8) Hearts (%) 148 (0.38)* 81 (0.21) 84 (0.21) 313 (0.80) 43820 (0.7) Kidneys (%) 37 (0.09) 43 (0.11) 17 (0.04) 97 (0.25) 10.541 (0.2) Livers (%) 7445 (19.01) 8928 (22.80)* 4898 (12.51) 21271 (54.32) 3990546 (62.1) Tongues (%) 538 (1.37)* 344 (0.88) 224 (0.57) 1106 (2.82) 203485 (3.2) Lungs (%) 4708 (12.02)* 4096 (10.46) 2896 (7.40)* 11700 (29.88) 1177313 (18.3) Gullets (%) 968 (2.47)* 409 (1.04) 318 (0.81) 1695 (4.33) 14018 (0.2) Plucks (%) 275 (0.70) 265 (0.68) 122 (0.31) 662 (1.69) 288963 (4.5) Total (%) 15167 (38.73)a 14896 (38.04)a 9094 (23.22)a 39157 (100.00) 6422586 (100.0) 240Kandiwa E, et al./ J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir
Page 5
Table 4. The seasonal distribution of organ condemnations by pathological condition Season Contaminations (%) Inflammation (%) Infections (%) Miscellaneous (%) Total Summer 2435 (6.2) 4182 (10.7) 2584 (6.6) 6259 (16.0)* 15460 (39.5) Winter 3739 (9.5) 7340 (18.7)* 3898 (10.0) 8720 (22.3) 23697 (60.5) Total 6174 (15.8) 11522 (29.4) 6482 (16.6) 14979 (38.3) 39157 (100.0) *values were greater than expected since p≤0.05 Table 5. Annual distribution of liver condemnations by pathological conditionYear Reason for condemnation 2016 2017 2018 Overall Abscess (%) 3137 (14,75) 4283 (20,14)* 2054 (9,66) 9474 (44,54) Contamination (%) 287 (1,35)* 243 (1,14) 138 (0,65) 668 (3,14)a Haematomas/blood vessel lesions (%) 627 (2,95)* 555 (2,61) 251 (1,18) 1433 (6,74) Hydatidosis (%) 161 (0,76) 134 (0,63) 403 (1,89)* 698 (3.28)a Peritonitis (%) 2924 (13,75)* 2386 (11,22) 1882 (8,85)* 7192 (33,81) Stilesia hepatica (%) 255 (1,20) 856 (4,02)* 146 (0,69) 1257 (5,91) Melanosis (%) 53 (0,25) 346 (1,63)* 7 (0,03) 406 (1,91) Septicaemia (%) 1 (0,005) 3 (0,01) 0 (0,00) 4 (0,02) Blood splash (%) 0 (0,00) 109 (0,51)* 0 (0,00) 109 (0,51) Actinomycosis (%) 0 (0,00) 13 (0,06) 17 (0,08)* 30 (0,14) Total (%) 7445 (35,00) 8928 (41,97) 4898 (23,03) 21271 (100,00) *values were greater than expected since p≤0.05; values with the same suffixa within the same column were not significantly different since p>0.05. Table 6. Reasons for condemnation and seasonal distribution of liver condemnationsSeason Reason for condemnation Summer Winter Overall Abscess (%) 3743 (17.60) 5731 (26.94) 9474 (44.54) Contamination (%) 302 (1.42) 366 (1.72) 668 (3.14) Hematomas/blood vessel lesions (%) 781 (3.67)* 652 (3.07) 1433 (6.74) Hydatidosis (%) 464 (2.18)* 234 (1.10) 698 (3.28) Peritonitis (%) 2555 (12.01) 4637 (21.80)* 7192 (33.81) S. hepatica (%) 248 (1.17) 1009 (4.74)* 1257 (5.91) Melanosis (%) 339 (1.59)* 67 (0.31) 406 (1.91) Septicaemia (%) 0 (0.00) 4 (0.02) 4 (0.02) Blood splash (%) 0 (0.00) 109 (0.51)* 109 (0.51) Actinomycosis (%) 13 (0.06) 17 (0.08) 30 (0.14) Total (%) 8445 (39.70) 12826 (60.30) 21271 (100.00) *values were greater than expected since p≤0.05 241Causes, dynamics and financial losses with red offal/ J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir
Page 6
http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir June, August, September and October (3.0%, 4.3%, 3.4%, 2.7% and 2.8%; respectively, p<0.05); infections in April and May (2.5% and 3.1%; respectively, p<0.05) and miscellaneous causes in January, February, July and November (1.2%, 2.5%, 4.7% and 3.8%, p<0.05) were greater than expected. More organs were condemned due to inflammation in winter (18.7%, p<0.05) and miscellaneous causes in the summer (16.0%, p<0.05) (Table 4). Condemnations of livers due to contaminations, hematomas/blood vessel lesions and peritonitis in 2016 (1.35%, 2.95% and 13.75%; respectively, p<0.05), abscess, S. hepatica, melanosis and blood splash in 2017 (20.14%, 4.02%, 1.63% and 0.51%; respectively, p<0.05) and hydatidosis, peritonitis and actinomycosis in 2018 (1.89%, 8.85% and 0.08%; respectively, p<0.05) were greater than expected (Table 5). A greater proportion of livers were condemned in winter than in summer (60.3% and 39.7%; respectively, p<0.001). The proportion livers condemned due to hematomas/blood vessel lesions, hydatidosis and melanosis were greater in the summer (3.67%, 2.18% and 1.59%; respectively, p<0.05), while those due to peritonitis, S. hepatica and blood splash were greater in winter (21.8%, 4.74% and 0.51%; respectively, p<0.05) (Table 6). A higher proportion of lungs were condemned due to contamination and emphysema in 2016 (7.74% and 10.24%; respectively, p<0.05); contamination, pleuritis and melanosis in 2017 (6.28%, 3.44% and 2.09%; respectively, p<0.05) and hydatidosis in 2018 (10.34%, p<0.05). The proportion of lungs condemned in winter were significantly greater than those in summer (58.9% and 41.1%; respectively, p<0.05) (Table 7). The proportional condemnations due to hydatidosis in summer and that of pneumonia were significantly greater than expected (15.1% and 4.3%; respectively, p<0.05). Table 7. Reasons for condemnation and seasonal distribution of lung condemnations *values were greater than expected since p≤0.05; values with the same suffixa within the same row were significantly different since p<0.05. 4.DiscussionResults of this study show an overall condemnation rate of 15.65% for offal over a three-year period. Our findings are much higher than the condemnation rates of less than 10% reported by other studies (11,18,35,48), but are comparable to rates of 14-18% documented by other studies (25,31,51). Offal condemnation rates reported in literature are very variable (36,42,56). This variation may be explained by differences in the animal characteristics (ages, breeds, sex, body condition) (36,38,42,57), environment (season, year, month, low lying or highland geographical location) (17,18,26) and management factors (nutrition, production system) between studies. The cost of the red offal condemnation in this study (US$364 805.10) represents a substantial loss of revenue in the operations of an abattoir over a relatively short period. Our findings show a higher loss of revenue than a previous study in Namibia in which both carcass and organ condemnations cost the abattoir about US$143711.00 over a four year period (3). In this study, revenue lost due to liver condemnation was estimated at US$226664.33 over the three year study period. Our finding was greater than the US$79 251.60 loss that was associated with liver condemnations in a group of abattoirs in Nigeria in a five-year study (26). However, comparisons of financial losses with previous studies are complicated by variations due to differences in climate, breed studied, types of animals slaughtered, Season Reason for condemnation Summer Winter Overall Abscess (%) 573 (4.9) 824 (7.0) 1397 (11.9) Contamination (%) 787 (6.7) 1142 (9.8) 1929 (16.5) Pleuritis (%) 329 (2.8) 500 (4.3) 829 (7.1) Hydatidosis (%) 1761 (15.1)* 2294 (19.6) 4055 (34.7) Emphysema (%) 901 (7.7) 1372 (11.7) 2273 (19.4) Pneumonia (%) 231 (2.0) 498 (4.3)* 729 (6.2) Melanosis (%) 230 (2.0) 258 (2.2) 488 (4.2) Total 4812 (41.1)a 6888 (58.9)a 11700 (100.0) 242Kandiwa E, et al./ J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247
Page 7
disease situations, length of the studies, meat inspection procedures and record keeping procedures among other factors. The highest condemnation rate of livers as compared to other organs is not surprising, given its anatomical position as well as its physiological function in the body. Being the largest and central organ with a high blood flow responsible for detoxification, the liver is the organ most frequently exposed to noxious substances and infectious material (58-61), hence the high number of livers condemned due to abscesses. According to a number of studies, the major afflictions of the liver include fasciolosis, abscessation, cirrhosis, hydatid cysts and tuberculosis (10,26,31,44,45,51). Parasite larvae that penetrate the wall of the intestines or ingested infectious agents and chemicals are first carried to the liver by the portal veins, which may explain why the liver was the most condemned organ in this study. In this study, the high rate of liver condemnation (54.32%) was primarily due to abscesses and extension of peritonitis to the liver. This rate was higher, but comparable to a condemnation rate of 51.5% reported by a similar study in the Zambezi Region (3). This finding is rather surprising considering that study cattle originated from semi-arid to arid regions, while the Zambezi Region is the wettest part of the country, where internal parasite burden on the liver is expected to contribute to a higher condemnation rate. A number of studies have identified parasites, particularly Fasciola (18,35-37) and hydatid cysts (10,16,40) as the main causes of liver condemnation. It is not surprising that Fasciola spp. was not identified in the current study because ideal environmental conditions (swamps) for the survival, multiplication and transmission of the parasite are absent in the majority of the areas supplying slaughter cattle to the abattoir. Moreover, the mostly commercial farmers south of the VCF, follow strict internal parasite drenching protocols. Liver condemnation figures from literature vary from 0.09% (27) in arid Botswana to as high as 84% (34) in tropical Uganda. One would have expected similar condemnation figures between the current study and reports from Botswana (27) with notably similar climatic conditions to those in Namibia. Reports with figures closest to those from the current study were from Western Zambia (around the Zambezi river basin) where the parasite burden is high (38). Abscessation was the major cause of liver condemnation, leading to significant economic losses. It has been suggested that there is a strong link between rumen acidosis and liver abscessation (62,63). According to some studies, liver abscesses develop when Fusobacterium necrophorum bacteria in rumen wall lesions secondary to rumen acidosis, associated with grain overload or concentrate feeding, are carried to the liver by the blood circulatory system (62-65). Abscessation is a primary lesion of the livers of feedlot cattle (66,67). The parent company that owns the study abattoir operates a feedlot from which it draws most of its cattle for slaughter including cattle from communal areas, which may explain the high number of livers and lungs condemned due to abscesses. However, the possibility that farmers fed their cattle high grain rations to hasten weight gain before sending them for direct slaughter cannot be ruled out. Prophylactic treatment of cattle on high energy diets with Tylosin and vaccination to prevent abscessation has proved futile (67). Perhaps farmer education may be the most viable solution to reduce occurrence of liver abscesses in feedlot cattle. It is similarly, not surprising that lungs were the second most condemned organ. The lungs receive all the blood for oxygenation and are at the internal organ/air interface and are thus exposed to most airborne environmental pollutants and pathogens from the air as well as from blood (58,68-70). In fact, a number of studies have cited the lung as the most condemned organ (11,16,17,20). The current lung condemnation rate of 29.88% is much higher than the 10% reported in a number of sub Saharan studies (8,19,25,31,33,41,51). However, the rate is less than the 48.8% reported in the Zambezi Region of Namibia (3). Our findings are comparable to a condemnation rate of 33.9% (17), but lower than the rate of 45.66% (11) and 96.6% (47) reported by previous studies. In this study, the major causes of lung condemnations were hydatidosis, emphysema, contamination and abscesses in descending order. It is recommended that public awareness of the hydatidosis as a potential zoonosis be created through education campaigns and that farmers periodically deworm farm dogs, but the involvement of wild carnivores as definitive or intermediate hosts may complicate control (71). The emphysema and contamination observed in the lungs is most likely a product of slaughter techniques and poor hygiene practices respectively, which require the attention of the abattoir operator. The lower rate of condemnation in 2018 (23.22%), when compared to 2016 and 2017 (38.7 and 38% respectively) 243Causes, dynamics and financial losses with red offal/ J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir
Page 8
may be attributable to the higher precipitation received in 2016 and 2017. According to an official Namibian weather site, the years 2016 and 2017 each received an average of 313 mm of rain, while 2018 received 295 mm (http://weather.namsearch.com/wdhrainsummary.p hp). It has been confirmed that meat condemnation may increase under wet conditions when the hide is heavily contaminated with mud and dung (72). Furthermore, increased organ condemnations in the wetter 2016 and 2017 may have been a result of accelerated parasite life cycle under the hot moist conditions (17,26). The spike in the proportion of condemnations in the month of June (13.34%) is particularly noteworthy. In Namibia, June and July are the coldest months of the year, in which respiratory conditions such as pneumonia predominate when animals huddle together in order to conserve heat (73,74). Furthermore, the month of June is associated with peak slaughter numbers at the study abattoir. According to veterinary officials, the number of cattle slaughtered in June often lead to piling of offal, delayed cleaning, packaging or freezing, which results in condemnation. The results of the current study show more than expected lung condemnations in summer, and more than expected condemnations of heads and kidneys in winter. The high number of condemnations of lungs were due to higher rates of hydatidosis. The high prevalence of hydatidosis in winter is in agreement with those reported in other studies (75,76). According to these studies the survival and longevity of Echinococcus protoscolices is higher in the cold season (thereby increasing their chances of being consumed alive by dogs) than in summer. In summer, wet conditions contribute to higher hide contamination with dung and mud (72). However, it is not clear why inflammatory conditions would increase in winter nor is there any satisfactory explanation as to why miscellaneous conditions would be higher in 2017 than 2018 and why inflammatory and infectious conditions would show the opposite trend. From the foregoing argument, condemnation of red offal is costing beef farmers, abattoirs and the Namibian fiscus necessitating the implementation of measures to arrest the avoidable loss of income. The following measures are recommended to reduce the rate of condemnations at abattoirs: farmer education on the major causes of condemnations and mitigation measures thereof at farm level; improved communication between abattoirs or official veterinarians and farmers, especially with respect to condemnation data and ways of reducing future condemnations; and abattoir operators should ensure that all procedures and activities carried out on their premises do not promote meat condemnations. 5.ConclusionWe determined a substantial loss of revenue to the abattoir and country due to cattle organ condemnations. Livers and lungs were found to be the organs most condemned at the abattoir, mostly due to miscellaneous conditions such as abscesses, hematomas, melanosis and emphysema. The high condemnation rates for red offal have the potential to impact the food security situation in the country. Meat inspection served to prevent the transmission of hydatidosis to humans. Red offal condemnations varied with season and year. Conflict of interest The authors have no conflict of interest. Acknowledgements The authors wish to extend their gratitude to the export abattoir for providing access to the data and the Directorate of Veterinary Services, Namibia for permitting the study. References 1.Kruger B, Lammerts-Imbuwa L. Namibia NationalFarmers Union (NNFU) training manual livestockmarketing in Namibia. Namibia National FarmersUnion, Windhoek, Namibia, 2008.2. Togarepi C, Thomas B, Kankono M. Cattlemarketing constraints and opportunities in north-central communal areas of Namibia, OhangwenaRegion. Livest Res Rural 2016; 28: 7.3. Madzingira O, Chinyoka S, Yule J, et al. Aretrospective study of carcass and organcondemnations at a beef abattoir in Namibia. Alex JVet Sci 2018; 59: 34-42.4. Miescher G. 2012. Namibia's red line: the history ofa veterinary and settlement border. PalgraveMacmillan, New York. p 101-135.5. Schneider HP. The history of veterinary medicine inNamibia. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2012; 83: 1-11.6. MeatCo. Meatco Annual Report 2018/19,Windhoek, Namibia, 2019. Available at244Kandiwa E, et al./ J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir
Page 9
https://www.meatco.com.na/files/files/Meatco_AR _2018_19 (1).pdf. Cited: Apr 13, 2020. 7. Meat Safety Act. Government of the Republic ofSouth Africa, 2000. Parliament of the Republic of South Africa, Pretoria. 8. Jaja IF, Mushonga B, Green E, et al. Prevalence oflung lesions in slaughtered cattle in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2016; 87: 1-9. 9. Jaja IF, Mushonga B, Green E, et al. Financial lossestimation of bovine fasciolosis in slaughtered cattle in South Africa. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2017a; 2: 27-34. 10. Solomon T, Alemu B. Economic loss caused byorgan condemnation in cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal Abattoir, Southern Ethiopia, J Global Biosci 2019; 8: 5966-5977. 11. Cadmus SIB, Adesokan HK. Causes andimplications of bovine organs/offal condemnations in some abattoirs in Western Nigeria. Trop Anim Health Prod 2009; 41: 1455. 12. Alton GD, Pearl DL, Bateman KG, et al. Suitabilityof bovine portion condemnations at provincially-inspected abattoirs in Ontario Canada for food animal syndromic surveillance. BMC Vet Res 2012; 8: 88. 13. Dupuy C, Morignat E, Maugey X, et al. Definingsyndromes using cattle meat inspection data for syndromic surveillance purposes: a statistical approach with the 2005–2010 data from ten French slaughterhouses. BMC Vet Res 2013; 9: 88. 14. Jaja I, Mushonga B, Green E, et al. Seasonalprevalence, body condition score and risk factors of bovine fasciolosis in South Africa. Vet Anim Sci 2017b; 4: 1-7 15. Phiri AM. Common conditions leading to cattlecarcass and offal condemnations at three abattoirs in the Western Province of Zambia and their zoonotic implications to consumers. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2006; 77: 28-32. 16. Tembo W, Nonga HE. A survey of the causes ofcattle organs and/or carcass condemnation, financial losses and magnitude of foetal wastage at an abattoir in Dodoma, Tanzania. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2015; 82: 1-7. 17. Alemu A, Deneke Y, Ibrahim N. Major causes oforgan condemnation and its financial loss in cattle in Gondar ELFORA abattoir. Ethiopia Res 2017; 9: 31-40. 18. Shaibu E, Atawalna J, Emikpe BO. Retrospectivestudy on bovine whole carcass and liver condemnations with their associated direct financial losses at the Kumasi Abattoir, Ghana. Afr J Biomed Res 2017; 20: 45-52. 19. Ahmed S, Fentahun S, Bihonegn T, et al. Study onmajor causes of organs condemnation and financial loss in cattle slaughtered at Hayik Municipal Abattoir. J Anim Res 2019; 9: 201-207. 20. Komba EVG, Komba EV, Mkupasi EM, et al.Sanitary practices and occurrence of zoonotic conditions in cattle at slaughter in Morogoro Municipality, Tanzania: implications for public health. Tanzan J Health Res 2012; 14: 1-12. 21. Nzeyimana P, Habarugira G, Udahemuka JC, et al.Prevalence of bovine cysticercosis and age relationship at post-mortem in Nyagatare slaughterhouse. World Sci Res J 2015; 3: 29-33. 22. Hoffman LC, Lühl J. Causes of cattle bruisingduring handling and transport in Namibia. Meat Sci 2012; 92: 115-124. 23. Addis AB. Causes of organ condemnation andeconomic loss of cattle in developing countries. Review Int J Eng Dev Res 2017; 5: 776-796. 24. Elemo KK, Hiko A, Dawud A. Bovine cysticercosisand human teniasis with public health implication at Asella Town, Arsi Zone of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. Bull Anim Health Prod Afr 2017; 65: 49- 59. 25. Lyimo EG, Ntikabuze BB, Olkitok MM, et al.Causes of organ condemnations and financial losses in cattle slaughtered at Mahenge slaughter facility in Ulanga District, Morogoro, Tanzania. Tanz Vet J 2018; 35: 138-144. 26. Ejeh EF, Paul BT, Lawan FA, et al. Seasonalprevalence of bovine fasciolosis and its direct economic losses due to liver condemnation at Makurdi abattoirs north central Nigeria. Sokoto J Vet Sci 2015; 13: 42-48. 27. Mochankana ME, Robertson ID. A retrospectivestudy of the prevalence of bovine fasciolosis at major abattoirs in Botswana. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2016; 83: 1-5. 28. Kouam MK, Meningue R, Fon DE. Parasitic causesof organ condemnation in cattle slaughtered in Fako abattoirs, South-West region of Cameroon, and estimate of financial losses. J Helminthol 2019; 93: 367-371. 29. Ahmad AM, Elsharawy NT. Condemned meat andoffal from different slaughtered animals at two different environments. J Food Microbiol Saf Hyg 2018; 3: 2476-2059. 30. Tadesse M, Tesfaye S, Admasu P. Prevalence ofBovine hydatidosis and its economic importance in cattle slaughtered at Bahir Dar Municipal Abattoir, Northern Ethiopia. Int J Livest Res 2018; 6: 1-10. 31. Chinonyerem U, Kalu E. Prevalence ofdiseases/conditions that lead to condemnation of bovine organs/carcass at post-mortem examination. Glob Vet 2019; 21: 225-231. 32. Pfukenyi DM, Mukaratirwa S. A retrospective studyof the prevalence and seasonal variation of Fasciola gigantica in cattle slaughtered in the major abattoirs 245Causes, dynamics and financial losses with red offal/ J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir
Page 10
of Zimbabwe between 1990 and 1999. Onderstepoort J Vet Res 2004; 71: 181-187. 33. Mellau BL, Nonga HE, Karimuribo ED. Slaughterstock abattoir survey of carcasses and organ/offal condemnations in Arusha region, northern Tanzania. Trop Anim Health Prod 2011; 43: 857-864. DOI:10.1007/s11250-010-9773-1 34. Joan N, Stephen M, Bashir M, et al. Prevalence andeconomic impact of bovine fasciolosis at Kampala City Abattoir, Central Uganda. Microbiol Res J Int 2015; 7: 109-117. 35. Yimer A, Ayen M, Ali M, et al. Prevalence, cystcharacterization and economic importance of bovine hydatidosis in Addis Ababa Abattoirs Enterprise, Ethiopia. J Anim Res 2016; 6: 375-379. 36. Eshetu E, Thomas N, Awukew A, et al. Study on theprevalence of bovine fasciolosis and estimated financial losses due to liver condemnation: In case of Angacha Woreda, Kambata Tembaro Zone, Southern Ethiopia. J Biol Agric Healthcare 2017; 7: 78-83. 37. Jaja IF, Mushonga B, Green E, et al. Factorsresponsible for the post-slaughter loss of carcass and offal’s in abattoirs in South Africa. Acta Trop 2018; 178: 303-310. 38. Nyirenda SS, Sakala M, Moonde L, et al.Prevalence of bovine fascioliasis and economic impact associated with liver condemnation in abattoirs in Mongu district of Zambia. BMC Vet Res 2019; 15: 33. 39. Hajimohammadi B, Oryan A, Zohourtabar A, et al.Rate of carcass and offal condemnation in animals slaughtered at Yazd Slaughterhouse, central Iran. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2014; 4: 736-739. 40. Sheferaw D, Abdu K. Major causes of organ andcarcass condemnation and associated financial losses in cattle slaughtered at Kombolcha ELFORA abattoir from 2008-2012, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Vet J 2017; 21: 54-66. 41. Opara M. Pathological conditions of condemnedbovine lungs from abattoirs in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Anim Res Int 2005; 2: 314-318. DOI: 10.4314/ari.v2i2.40859 42. Habarugira G, Rukelibuga J, Nanyingi MO, et al.Bovine tuberculosis in Rwanda: Prevalence and economic impact evaluation by meat inspection at Société des Abattoirs de Nyabugogo-Nyabugogo Abattoir, Kigali. J S Afr Vet Assoc 2014; 85: 1-5. 43. Opoku SO, Atawalna J, Daniel SD, et al.Abscessations and their associated microorganisms in slaughtered cattle at the Kumasi Metropolitan Abattoir, Ghana. East African Scholars J Agric Life Sci 2019; 2: 130-133. 44. Habarugira G, Mbasinga G, Mushonga B, et al.Pathological findings of condemned bovine liver specimens and associated economic loss at Nyabugogo abattoir, Kigali, Rwanda. Acta Trop 2016; 164: 27-32. 45. Aman H, Kassim S, Boru G, et al. Major causes ofliver condemnation and associated direct financial losses in bovine slaughtered at Assela Municipal Abattoir Arsi, South Eastern Ethiopia. Glob J Med Res 2017; 16. 46. Alhaji NB, Yatswako S, Isola TO. A survey oforgans/offal condemnations and foetal losses in slaughtered trade cattle at abattoirs in north-central Nigeria: major causes and associated economic implications. Bull Anim Health Prod Afr 2017; 65: 81–93. 47. Zeryehun T, Alemu B. Major gross lesions of lungin cattle slaughtered at Hawassa Municipal Abattoir, Southern Ethiopia. J Vet Med 2017. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/1702852. 48. Mohammed A, Abdulai A, Birteeb PT, et al. Majorcauses of organ and carcass condemnations of cattle and their associated financial loss at the Tamale Abattoir, Ghana. UDS Int J Dev 2018; 5: 53-67. 49. Cruz-Monterrosa RG, Reséndiz-Cruz V, Rayas-Amor AA, et al. Bruises in beef cattle at slaughter in Mexico: implications on quality, safety and shelf life of the meat. Trop Anim Health Prod 2017; 49: 145-152. 50. Atawalna J, Gbordzi M, Emikpe BO, et al. Wholecarcass and organ condemnation and their associated financial losses in ruminants slaughtered at the Bolgatanga municipal abattoir of Ghana. Int J Vet Sci 2016; 5: 5-9. 51. Swai ES, Ulicky E. An evaluation of the economiclosses resulting from condemnation of cattle livers and loss of carcass weight due to fasciolosis: a case study from Hai town abattoir, Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania. Livest Res Rural Dev 2009; 21: 186. 52. Desie S, Kedir A. Major causes of organ and carcasscondemnation and associated financial losses in cattle slaughtered at Kombolcha ELFORA abattoir from 2008-2012, Ethiopia. Ethiopian Vet J 2017; 21: 54-66. 53. Tlhapi PT. A critical evaluation of the causes ofcarcass condemnations in a South African cattle abattoir, Doctoral dissertation, University of Pretoria 2013. 54. Katjiteo ZK. Major causes of bovine carcasses andorgans condemnation: a retrospective study on slaughtered animals at the Windhoek, Meatco Abattoir, Doctoral dissertation, University of Namibia 2001. 55. Shikongo-Kuvare LT. Development of riskcommunication strategies to improve control of Cysticercosis bovis in North Central Namibia, MSc dissertation, University of Pretoria 2007. 56. Dyab AK, Ahmed HA, Hefnawy YA, et al.Prevalence of tissue parasites in cattle and buffaloes 246Kandiwa E, et al./ J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir
Page 11
slaughtered in El-Minia Governorate Abattoirs, Egypt. PSM Vet Res 2019; 4: 49-58. 57. Dupuy C, Demont P, Ducrot C, et al. Factorsassociated with offal, partial and whole carcass condemnation in ten French cattle slaughterhouses, Meat Sci 2014; 97: 262-269. 58. Frandson, R.D., Wilke, W.L., Fails, A.D. 2009.Anatomy and physiology of farm animals. 7th ed. John Wiley & Sons. p 358-359. 59. Devlin, T.M., 2010. Textbook of Biochemistry withClinical Correlations, 7th ed. Wiley. 60. Cullen JM, Brown DL. Hepatobiliary system andexocrine pancreas. Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease 5th ed. McGavin MD, Zachary JF, editors. Elsevier Mosby, St Louis; 2012. p 405-457. 61. Gu X, Manautou JE. Molecular mechanismsunderlying chemical liver injury. Expert Rev Mol Med 2012; 14. 62. Macdonald AG, Bourgon SL, Palme R, et al.Evaluation of blood metabolites reflects presence or absence of liver abscesses in beef cattle. Vet Rec 2017; 4: e000170. 63. Abass KS, Mohammed NS, Taleb M, et al. Study ofbovine and ovine pulmonary and hepatic abscessation at Kirkuk abattoir, Plant Arch 2019; 19: 1640-1644. 64. Tadepalli S, Narayanan SK, Stewart GC, et al.Fusobacterium necrophorum: A ruminal bacterium that invades liver to cause abscesses in cattle. Anaerobe 2009; 15: 36–43. 65. Keele JW, Kuehn LA, McDaneld TG, et al. Genomewide association study of liver abscess in beef cattle. J Anim Sci 2016; 94: 490-499. 66. Reinhardt CD, Hubbert ME. Control of liverabscesses in feedlot cattle: a review. Prof Anim Sci 2015; 31: 101-108. 67. Amachawadi RG, Nagaraja TG. Liver abscesses incattle: A review of incidence in Holsteins and of bacteriology and vaccine approaches to control in feedlot cattle. J Anim Sci 2016; 94: 1620-1632. 68. Radostits, O.M., Gay, C.C., Hinchcliff, K.W., et al.2006. A textbook of the diseases of cattle, horses, sheep, pigs and goats. Elsevier Health Sciences. 69. Lopez A. Respiratory system, mediastinum andpleurae. Pathologic Basis of Veterinary Disease, 5th ed. Zachary JF, McGavin MD, editors. St. Louis, Mosby Elsevier, USA: 2012. p. 458–538. 70. Erickson, H.H., Goff, J.P., Uemura, E.E. 2015.Dukes' physiology of domestic animals. John Wiley & Sons. 71. WHO. Echinococcosis. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/echinococcosis/#tab=tab_1. Cited April 1, 2020. 72. Harris MK, Eastwood LC, Boykin CA, et al.National Beef Quality Audit–2016: assessment of cattle hide characteristics, offal condemnations, and carcass traits to determine the quality status of the market cow and bull beef industry. Transl Anim Sci 2018; 2: 37-49. 73. Kandiwa E, Madzingira O, Mushonga B, et al. A13-year retrospective study of the beef and dairy cattle losses at Neudamm Farm in the Khomas region of Namibia, Alex J Vet Sci 2017; 55: 8-20. 74. Kandiwa E, Mushonga B, Samkange A, et al.Retrospective study on small ruminant losses in a farm of Namibia. Indian J Small Ruminants 2018; 24: 115-120. 75. Mohamadin SA, Abdelgadir AE. Study on hydatidcyst infection in slaughterhouses in Khartoum state, Sudan. Arch Appl Sci Res 2011; 3: 18-23. 76. Khan AM, Gazi M, Bashir S. Seasonal prevalenceof hydatidosis in buffaloes–A retrospective study. Vet World 2013; 6: 647-650. 247Causes, dynamics and financial losses with red offal/ J food safe & hyg 2019; 5 (4): 237-247http://jfsh.tums.ac.ir
Similar research
Causes, Patterns, and Economic Implications of Carcass Condemnation of Cattle Slaughtered at Oshana Region, North of Namibia Based on Post-Mortem Inspection
Article
Full-text available
  • Journal of Food Quality and Hazards Control
Background: Meat inspection is one of the essential tools for ensuring good quality and safe meat. The objective of this study was to evaluate carcass condemnation of cattle slaughtered in Oshana region, North of Namibia. Methods: In this 4-year retrospective study, causes, patterns, and economic implications of carcass condemnation of cattle slaughtered in Oshana region, North of Namibia were evaluated based on post-mortem inspection procedure. The SPSS software version 25 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Overall, 0.37% (120 out of 32 648) beef carcasses were condemned during the period of this study. The major causes of condemnation of carcasses were bruising (60 out of 120; 50%), followed by pus contamination. The condemnation rate in female cattle (65%) was significantly (p<0.05) higher than male cattle (35%). Overall, a significantly greater number (p<0.05) of carcasses were condemned in summer (74.2%) than in winter (25.8%). Conclusion: This study identified bruising, pus contamination, and cachexia as the major causes of bovine carcass condemnation in North of Namibia and showed that carcass condemnation rate varied with the year, season, and age.
Evaluation of Immunoglobulin-Y in Place of Tylosin Phosphate in the Diets Fed to Holstein Steers and Preliminary Analysis of Liver Abscess Duration on Animal Growth Performance
Article
Full-text available
  • Translational Animal Science
Despite the regular use of feed-grade macrolide-antibiotics, bovine liver abscesses persist, representing a financial burden to pre- and post-mortem sectors of the beef industry. An immunoglobulin-Y (IGY) additive developed to target Fusobacterium necrophorum and Trueperella pyogenes, was evaluated for the control of liver abscesses. Research is needed for the impact of liver abscess severity as well as abscess duration on steer performance and carcass characteristics. Holstein steers (n=64; initial body weight (BW)=372.5±2.41 kg) consuming a finishing diet for 188 d were used in a completely randomized design where treatments included: TYL (tylosin phosphate 90 mg/day; n=32) or IGY (2.5 g/day; n=32) and steer was the experimental unit. Feed intake was recorded daily while BW and liver ultrasound outcome (normal or abnormal) was recorded every 28 d until slaughter to estimate duration of abscess presence (DUR). Continuous variables of animal growth performance and carcass characteristics were analyzed using the MIXED procedure of SAS. Categorical quality grade and liver data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Treatment did not affect live or carcass-adjusted growth performance (P≥0.131). However, steers fed TYL had greater (P=0.042) empty body fat (EBF) % and a greater proportion of carcasses grading premium choice than steers fed IGY (P=0.030). Treatment did not affect prevalence of abscessed livers, abscess severity or estimated abscess duration (P≥0.213) but datasets with greater experimental units are needed to substantiate this outcome. Increasing abscess severity tended (P≤0.10) to linearly reduce carcass-adjusted gain to feed (G:F), fat thickness, and EBF. Carcass dressing % was only affected by severe (A+ and A+AD) abscess scores (P=0.010). Carcass-adjusted final BW, average daily gain, G:F, and hot carcass weight was decreased only when the estimated DUR was ≥140 d (P≤0.05). Carcass dressing %, however, was linearly affected by estimated liver abscess DUR (P≤ 0.005), regardless of abscess severity. Preliminary evidence suggests that measuring the duration of liver abscess affliction during the feeding period may also give insight to the degree of performance reduction.
Download
A 4-year study of the proportional distribution of male reproductive organ abnormalities in cattle slaughtered at Nyagatare abattoir, Eastern Rwanda
Article
Full-text available
  • Veterinary Medicine and Science
Male reproductive performance has more impact on overall herd productivity than in the female. In order to assess herd productivity in cattle in Nyagatare, Eastern Rwanda, the proportional distribution of male reproductive organ abnormalities was investigated in 3087 bulls slaughtered over a 4-year period. The aim of the study was to investigate the proportional distribution of male reproductive organ abnormalities in exotic and indigenous bulls slaughtered over a 4-year period at Nyagatare abattoir in Eastern Rwanda. Positioning of the testicles was observed and recorded as the animals were assembled before slaughter. After slaughter, the internal and external reproductive organs of all bulls were removed, labelled and analysed for pathology. Significantly more indigenous (79.01%) than exotic (20.99%) animals were slaughtered (P < 0.05; N = 3 087). Overall occurrence of abnormalities was significantly higher in exotic (20.83%) than in indigenous (10.33%) animals (P < 0.05). Overall, abnormal location of testicles was the most common abnormality (4.08%) followed by abnormal prepuce and penis (2.33%), orchitis (1.94%), enlarged vesicular gland (0.91%), scrotal hernia (0.87%), unilateral cryptorchidism (0.81%), testicular hypoplasia (0.81%) and hydrocoele (0.78%). Abnormal location of testicles, abnormal prepuce and penis, orchitis, testicular hypoplasia and enlarged vesicu-lar glands had significantly higher prevalence in exotic animals than in indigenous animals (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of unilateral cryptorchidism, hydrocoele and scrotal hernia between the exotic and indigenous breeds. The encountered reproductive abnormalities result in poor herd fertility manifesting as low first-service conception rates, prolonged breeding seasons and reduced weaning weights accompanied by inevitable financial losses in beef production. The observed high proportion of male reproductive abnormalities in exotic breeds might offset the professed benefits from introduction of these exotic breeds with the aim of improving productivity.
A 13-Year Retrospective Study of the Beef and Dairy Cattle Losses at Neudamm Farm in the Khomas Region of Namibia
Article
Full-text available
  • Alexandria Journal of Veterinary Sciences
This study was carried out to get an appraisal of the losses occasioned by apparently high levels of stock mortality at Neudamm farm, University of Namibia. Losses of beef cattle (Afrikaner, Simmental and Sanga/Nguni) and dairy cattle (Friesian) were studied from July 2003 to December 2015. A total of 106 animals worth US$55 263.12 and representing 3.5% (SD=0.8%) of the animals at risk were lost during this period. In the years 2004, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013 and 2014 the cattle losses were more than 1.5% whereas in 2005, 2008, 2011 and 2015 the losses were 1.0-1.5%. The lowest losses (<1.0%) occurred in 2003 and 2009. Since 2005, overall cattle losses rapidly increased until 2010 followed by a gradual decrease till 2015. Though there was no significant difference in the overall losses between male {3.4% (SD=0.7%)} and female animals {3.8% (SD=0.9%)} during the study period (P>0.05), the female losses were significantly higher than the male losses (P<0.05) in all the years except 2011 during which there was no significant difference between male and female losses (P>0.05). There were significantly more mature animals lost from 2003 to 2009 and from 2013 to 2014 (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the mature and immature losses in 2012 (P>0.05). The losses in immature cattle were higher than those of mature cattle in 2010, 2011 and 2015 (P<0.05). The proportions of animals lost due to predation, unknown causes, dystocia, infections, trauma, old age, plant intoxication and traumatic reticulo-peritonitis were 29.2%, 29.2%, 14.2%, 11.3%, 9.4%, 4.7%, 0.9% and 0.9%, respectively. For the duration under study, the proportional losses in January, February, April, November and December were significantly higher than those of the rest of the months (P<0.05). Neudamm farm lost 3.5% of their beef and dairy stock, worth US$55 263.12, over a 13 year period as a result of infectious and non-infectious causes. The dynamics of the losses were such that the losses were higher in some years than others, more young than older animals were lost and, though not statistically significant, more females were lost than males.
Characterization of poultry production and management systems in the communal areas of Namibia
Article
Full-text available
A survey was conducted on 485 respondents from eight regions of Namibia to characterize their poultry production systems. The overall mean proportions of literacy level were, secondary (33.6%), illiterate (31.5%), primary (27.3%), unspecified (4.0%) and tertiary (2.9%). The estimated chicken population in the whole study area covering 347 510 km 2 was about 1.84 million and the estimated chicken density was 14.1 chickens/ km 2. Overall, 76.1% of the interviewed households owned chickens with an overall mean of 20 chickens/household. Overall, 20.4% of the chickens were young females, 23.8% adult females, 14.2% young males, 9.7% adult males and 31.9% chicks. Overall, an average of 11 eggs/hen/clutch were laid with 74.3% mean hatchability. These hatched chicks had an average of 56% survival after four weeks. Overall, 33.5% of the chickens were lost due to disease, 27.1% consumed within households, 21.8% killed by predators, 7.9% sold, 6.5% stolen, 2% due to starvation and 1.3% as a result of traumatic injuries. Overall, 60.2% of the sick chickens were treated with local medicinal herbs, 14.3% slaughtered, 3.7% treated by conventional veterinary medicine, whilst 9.5% were vaccinated and 6.2% were treated by local veterinarians. Overall, 53.3% of the households used no housing for chickens, 9.8% used wire mesh housing, 7.0% used corrugated metal sheet housing and 4.9% used thatched brick and mud housing. Overall, 77.7% of the chickens were fed on maize or millet grain, 38.1% on free range forages, 12.5% on household leftovers and 4.1% on commercial feed. In conclusion, based on the survey, chickens in these study areas were reared extensively on raw grains with most owners using traditional methods to treat sick birds and failing to house their flocks to result in high losses to diseases and predators. This study indicated that the education of Namibian communal farmers to improve poultry husbandry would reduce losses and possibly increase profitability of communal poultry enterprise.