Cattle loading rates in different truck models and their relationship with bruises on bovine carcasses

portuguesEste estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o numero de hematomas em carcacas de bovinos e suas relacoes com as taxas de lotacao em diferentes modelos de carrocerias. Foi avaliada a porcentagem de hematomas na regiao do traseiro, dianteiro e ponta da agulha (PA). O espaco ocupado por cada animal em m² foi definido como area Praticada, sendo obtido pela divisao da area da carroceria pelo numero de machos e femeas transportados nos caminhoes truck (10,60 x 2,40 m) e carreta baixa (14,80 x 2,60 m); 240 e 168; 120 e 93, respectivamente, e 80 machos em caminhao romeu e julieta (17,50 x 2,60 m). Avaliou-se a area minima ocupada por animal pela Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) e Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC). Os dados foram analisados em um delineamento inteiramente casualizado sendo duas classes sexuais, tres regioes da carcaca e tres tipos de caminhoes. Para machos, as areas minimas (m²) pela FAWC e AWAC foram menores (1,37 e 1,29 m², respectivamente) para o caminhao truck. O caminhao romeu e julieta apresentou o menor (P=0,0025) indice de hematomas na regiao dianteiro (15,1%) e o maior (P=0,047) na PA (30,5%). As femeas transportadas no caminhao carreta baixa, apresentaram maior (P EnglishThis study sought to evaluate the number of bruises on bovine carcasses and their relationship with loading rates in different truck models. Bruising percentages in the hindquarter, forequarter and short rib regions were evaluated. The space occupied on the truck by each animal in m² was defined as the Practiced area, obtained by dividing the body area by the number of males and females transported in straight trucks (10.60 x 2.40 m) and livestock trailers (14.80 x 2.60 m), 240 and 168, and 120 and 93, respectively, and 80 males in a straight truck with trailer configuration (17.50 x 2.60 m). The minimum area occupied by the animals was assessed according to the Farm Animal Welfare Council (FAWC) and Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (AWAC). The data was analyzed in a completely randomized design and included two sex classes, three carcass regions and three truck types. For males, the minimum areas (m²) calculated by the FAWC and AWAC were smaller (1.37 and 1.29 m², respectively) for the straight truck. The straight truck with trailer configuration had the lowest (P=0.0025) bruising index in the forequarter region (15.1%) and the highest (P=0.047) in the short rib region (30.5%). Females transported in the livestock trailer had a higher (P