Conference paper
Electrical stimulation and hydration to optimise meat quality
Wool meets meat : tools for a modern sheep enterprise : proceedings of the 2006 Australian Sheep Industry CRC Conference (Orange, Australia, 22/02/2006–23/02/2006)
2006
Abstract
This article discusses research that was conducted to optimise new electrical-stimulation technologies and to elucidate the effects of pre-slaughter dehydration of lambs. A change in lamb processing to a focus on eating quality has increased the uptake of new electrical technologies. Our research was aimed at understanding how carcase response to electrical stimulation is affected by genotype, pulse-width, current, and frequency and time of stimulation. Although seven post-dressing electrical stimulation systems have been installed in abattoirs across Australia and two prototype pre-dressing systems and an immobiliser have been installed at a major export abattoir, more installations are needed. An indicator of animal dehydration status was developed and used at two commercial abattoirs. This study showed that a large percentage of lambs are dehydrated at the time of slaughter, which represents a potential cost to industry of $5 million annually. Although several compounds for prevention of pre-slaughter dehydration in lambs were tested, none were effective.
Details
- Title
- Electrical stimulation and hydration to optimise meat quality
- Authors/Creators
- D.L. Hopkins (Author/Creator)R.H. Jacob (Author/Creator)E.S. Toohey (Author/Creator)K.L. Pearce (Author/Creator)D.W. Pethick (Author/Creator)I. Richards (Author/Creator)
- Conference
- Wool meets meat : tools for a modern sheep enterprise : proceedings of the 2006 Australian Sheep Industry CRC Conference (Orange, Australia, 22/02/2006–23/02/2006)
- Identifiers
- 991005541226707891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference paper
Metrics
16 Record Views