The influence of farmers' behavior on calves' reactions to transport and quality of veal meat

The relationships between farmers' behavior toward Veal calves, calves' res ponses to handling and transport, and veal meat quality were assessed. Two groups of 10 veal units were selected based on previous observed farmers' b ehavior toward the calves: one group consisted of farmers who had shown pre dominantly "positive" behavior toward the calves, and the other group of fa rmers had shown predominantly "negative" behavior. Calves were observed for their reactions to people at the unit, and 20 calves per veal unit were tr ansported either directly to the slaughterhouse or subjected to additional transport consisting of a supplementary 20-min transport with additional un loading and loading. The effort needed to load the calves onto the truck an d their behavior during loading was observed. During loading and unloading, and during lairage at the slaughterhouse, potentially traumatic incidents (falling down, kits against structures, slips) were recorded, and heart rat e and cortisol measurements were taken. Carcasses were evaluated on their w eight, color, conformation, pH, and bruise level. A meat sample was taken f rom the longissimus thoracis muscle for physical, chemical, and sensory ana lysis. Calves originating from "positive behavior" units showed fewer fear responses to people at the veal unit, needed less effort to be loaded to th e truck, had lower heart rates during loading and unloading, and had fewer incidents at the slaughterhouse than calves from "negative behavior" units (P < 0.05). Carcasses from calves from "positive behavior" units were paler , and analyses of the meat sample revealed lower pH, moisture level, and re dness compared to carcasses from calves from "negative behavior" units (P < 0.05). Additional transport led to a lower cortisol level after transport and to higher carcass pH values at slaughter compared to direct transport ( P < 0.05) but did not affect meat quality. We concluded that farmers' posit ive behavior toward veal calves during rearing is likely to reduce the emot ional responses of calves to handling and transport and to lead to fewer in cidents, compared to negative behavior. This reduction of calves' emotional responses seems to be the reason for improved veal meat color.