Data management and Oversight of Cattle Washing Trials

Summary

​The provision of clean cattle for slaughter is generally considered an essential prerequisite to protecting the food chain from microbial contamination. The Klenzion Stock Washing system involves application of a detergent cleanser to cattle immediately prior to ante-mortem inspection using a purpose-built spray system. Use of this cleaning system is reported to assist in removal of gross hide contamination. If effective, the Klenzion Stock Washing system offers a variety of benefits, including:
reduced carcase hygiene trimming resulting in reduced trimming costs, improved carcase yield and less carcase downgrading
reduced pre-slaughter stress, which is linked to dark cutting meat that results in carcase downgrading and reduced returns
reduced number of production stops or slow-downs, particularly in windy and wet periods
reduced water consumption during livestock washing
incorporation into the processor's HACCP quality assurance programme and risk management plan
more effective compliance with the Australian Standard for hygienic production and transport of meat and meat products for human consumption
In order to test the effectiveness of the Klenzion Stock Washing system on cattle under commercial operating conditions, it was trialled at a high volume beef slaughter facility in SE Queensland.