Brusing

• A bruise is a localized bleed (and subsequent swelling and inflammation) into tissues, typically the skin and underlying muscle.
• Bruises mostly following injury.
• Bruised tissue must be trimmed at meat inspection. Severely affected carcases are condemned.

• Most bruising is due to injury.
• Injury can occur in yarding, handling and transport or by other cattle (especially horned cattle).
• Poorly designed or maintained yards (especially with protruding objects), rough handling and slippery surfaces contribute to bruising.
• Cattle with bad temperament are more prone to panic and subsequent trauma.
• Poor mixing, loading and stock density (too few or too many) can contribute to bruising during transport.

• Bruised cattle may not show outward signs, but severe bruises may produce obvious swelling, pain, lameness and/or external wounds.

• Bruised sites are diagnosed as red/black swellings at meat inspection.
• Affected sites are trimmed or the carcase condemned if severe.

• Treatment depends upon diagnosis of the cause of bruising.

• Ensure cattle are polled or dehorned
• Don't mix cattle of widely different weight, age or sex
• Minimise handling by drafting in advance, and travelling direct to the abattoir
• Use yards that are well designed so cattle flow well
• Use well designed loading ramps - Loading ramps, if not designed correctly, can impede animal movement and cause injury. Loading ramps should be non-slip and less than 25° slope, preferably with stepped incline
• Ensure there are no projecting objects such as rails, bolts or gate catches
• Handle cattle quietly, without dogs and electric prodders
• Avoid boxing strange cattle in confined places such as yards or trucks
• Ensure trucks have a non-slip floor and no protrusions
• Minimise time on the trucks, and eliminate double handling if possible
• Use a carrier with training or accreditation in low-stress handling
• If cattle go down, get them up immediately and allow them space

MLA - Cattle bruising

AUS-MEAT - Beef and Veal Language (see page 3)

Animal Health Australia - Cattle health and biosecurity (general information)

Handbook of Australian Beef Processing

Bruising in beef cattle slaughtered at an abattoir in southern Queensland

The behaviour and bruising of cattle during transport at different space allowance