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Velazco DM, Hess A, Edwards-Callaway LN, Nair MN. Benchmarking the United States bison meat industry: stakeholder perceptions, production parameters, and live animal factors affecting meat quality. J Anim Sci 2024; 102:skae033. [PMID: 38347826 PMCID: PMC10924537 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skae033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
The objectives of this study were 1) to understand stakeholder perceptions regarding the bison industry, 2) to benchmark live animal characteristics and production parameters of the bison industry, and 3) to identify live animal factors related to animal welfare and their effect on specific quality characteristics of bison meat. A survey was conducted both online and in-person at the National Bison Association Winter Conference (2022). Descriptive statistics were performed on a total of 110 surveys. Most stakeholders (94%, n = 104) agreed that the industry should continue to grow, and the majority (99%, 108) agreed that animal welfare impacts meat quality. Facility design (80%, n = 88), animal handling (78%, 86), employee training (56%, 62), and transportation duration (56%, 62) were selected as the factors that affect animal welfare. More than half of the stakeholders selected flavor (67%, n = 74) as the most important quality attribute of bison meat. For the in-plant antemortem and postmortem parameters data was collected from three plants in the United States over the course of a year. A total of 2,284 bison (bulls: n = 1,101; cows: n = 199; heifers: n = 984) were included in the study. Antemortem measurements such as distance traveled, vocalization, prod use, mobility, and head bumps were measured, followed by postmortem measurements that included bruise score, live weight, dressing percentage, ribeye area, and instrumental color. Approximately 97% of bison (n = 2,213) had at least one bruise. The average distance traveled from producer to slaughter plant was (mean ± SD; 823 ± 583 km) and the average dressing percentage was (mean ± SD; 60.5 ± 3.3%). Average (mean ± SD) fat thickness and ribeye area were 1.4 ± 1.1 cm and 62.6 ± 9.8 cm2, respectively. Approximately 30% (n = 676) of the bison in this study head bumped between 1 and 5 times in the restraining chute or the single-file gate before being stunned. Linear regression indicated that differences in lean a* were associated with plant, number of head bumps in the chute, ribeye area, fat thickness, live weight, and sex class (P < 0.05). Logistic regression indicated that season, sex class, live weight, plant, and season were associated with differences (P < 0.05) in bruising. These results can be used as a baseline for current production parameters and serve as the foundation for future research to monitor improvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Velazco
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | - Ann Hess
- Department of Statistics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
| | | | - Mahesh N Nair
- Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523, USA
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Corduneanu A, Taulescu M, Ursache TD, Ionică AM, Mihalca AD. Piroplasms in farmed American bison, Bison bison from Romania. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1158072. [PMID: 37065243 PMCID: PMC10090506 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1158072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The American bison (Bison bison) is the largest terrestrial mammal of North America, with around 350,000 individuals in the wild and in private herds but the knowledge regarding the presence of different vector-borne pathigens in these mammals is very poor. Babesia and Theileria spp. are tick-borne apicomplexan parasites which are considered to be among the most commonly found blood parasites of large ruminants, often with a high economic importance. However, the knowledge on piroplasms of bisons is extremely scarce. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of apicomplexan parasites in blood and tissues of farmed American bison from Romania. Overall, we tested 222 blood samples and 11 tissues samples (heart, liver, and spleen) from farmed B. bison raised for meat in Romania. All the samples were analyzed by nPCR targeting the 18SrRNA gene for piroplasmids. All positive samples were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically. The overall prevalence of infection with piroplasmids in American bison was 1.65%, with Babesia divergens and Theileria sp. identified following sequencing. To our knowledge, this is the first report of piroplasms detected in blood and tissues of farmed B. bison from Europe. Further studies are necessary in order to obtain a better overview on the epidemiological status and clinical relevance of piroplasms in farmed American bisons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Corduneanu
- Department of Animal Breeding and Animal Productions, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- *Correspondence: Alexandra Corduneanu
| | - Marian Taulescu
- Department of Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Synevovet, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Teodor Dan Ursache
- Department of Pathology, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Angela Monica Ionică
- Molecular Diagnosis Laboratory, Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj-Napoca, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Andrei Daniel Mihalca
- Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Parasitology Consultancy Group, Coruşu, Romania
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The Sustainability of Bison Production in North America: A Scoping Review. SUSTAINABILITY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/su132413527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The American bison (Bison bison) is iconic of the Great Plains of North America, yet the genus has had to overcome near extinction in the recent past prior to being re-established for food production. This scoping review summarizes the literature on the Plains Bison as a large ruminant species adequate for modern-day meat production in order to evaluate the species’ appropriateness as a sustainable meat source and to identify knowledge gaps hindering the sustainability evaluation of bison production. To date, we can anecdotally assume that bison husbandry could contribute to sustainability based on its positive contribution to biodiversity, physiological robustness, economically higher price per kg, and nutritive values, despite their decreased growth and performance rates compared to beef cattle. However, targeted and system-based research is required in order to unequivocally assess the sustainability of bison production in North America.
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Menghwar H, Prysliak T, Perez-Casal J. Phylogeny of Mycoplasma bovis isolates from cattle and bison based on multi locus sequence typing and multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeats. Vet Microbiol 2021; 258:109124. [PMID: 34058524 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2021.109124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Multiple outbreaks of Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) have been reported in North American bison (Bison bison) in Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nebraska, New Mexico, Montana, North Dakota, and Kansas. M. bovis is mainly spread through direct contact and disseminated via animal movements thus, reliable genotyping is crucial for epidemiological investigations. The present study describes the genotyping of sixty-one M. bovis strains from cattle and bison isolated from different provinces of Canada by multi locus sequence typing (MLST), and multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). The sixty M. bovis clinical isolates together with the reference strain PG45 were divided into ten sequence types by MLST. Three novel sequence types were identified. Two isolates, one from cattle and one from bison shared the same sequence type, whereas one strain had the same sequence type as PG45. The cattle isolates could be further subdivided in Clade A with two subclades and bison isolates were grouped in Clade B with two subclades. With the exception of one animal, isolates originating from the same animal had the same sequence type. The sixty-one isolates also formed three main clades with several subclades when analyzed by MLVA. A total of 20 VNTR (Variable number tandem repeats) types were distinguished, 8 in cattle and 12 in bison isolates. The results showed multiple sequence types and genotype populations of M. bovis in bison and cattle. The results may further help to understand the evolution of M. bovis and develop strain specific or sequence type diagnostic tools.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harish Menghwar
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Rd, Saskatoon, S7N 5E3, Canada.
| | - Tracy Prysliak
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Rd, Saskatoon, S7N 5E3, Canada
| | - Jose Perez-Casal
- Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO), University of Saskatchewan, 120 Veterinary Rd, Saskatoon, S7N 5E3, Canada
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Influence of Grain- and Grass-Finishing Systems on Carcass Characteristics, Meat Quality, Nutritional Composition, and Consumer Sensory Attributes of Bison. Foods 2021; 10:foods10051060. [PMID: 34065784 PMCID: PMC8150981 DOI: 10.3390/foods10051060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the influence of two finishing systems (grain- or grass-finishing) on carcass characteristics, meat quality, nutritional composition, and sensory attributes of bison. Bison heifers were assigned to either a grain- or grass-finishing treatment for 130 days prior to slaughter. Carcass measurements, lean color and fat color were recorded. Striploins (M. longissimus lumborum) were collected for analysis of pH, fatty acid profile, cholesterol, proximate analysis, Warner-Bratzler shear force, cook loss, and consumer sensory evaluation. Grain-finished bison heifers had greater (p < 0.01) hot carcass weights, dressing percentage, ribeye area, backfat, and marbling scores compared to grass-finished heifers. Instrumental color values (L*, a*, b*) of the ribeye and a* value of backfat opposite the ribeye were greater (p < 0.01) for grain-finished heifers. Steaks from grain-finished heifers had increased (p < 0.05) crude protein and fat content and decreased (p < 0.01) moisture compared to grass-finished heifers. The grain-finishing system produced steaks with increased (p < 0.01) cholesterol and total fatty acids (mg/g of wet tissue). The grain-finished system produced more tender (p < 0.05) steaks, but consumer sensory ratings did not differ (p > 0.10) between treatments. These data indicate that finishing systems influence bison carcass characteristics, nutritional composition, and meat quality, but do not translate to differences in consumer preferences.
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Depner K, Drewe JA, Garin-Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Schmidt CG, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Roberts HC, Sihvonen LH, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Candiani D, Van der Stede Y, Winckler C. Welfare of cattle at slaughter. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06275. [PMID: 33163113 PMCID: PMC7607414 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The killing of cattle for human consumption (slaughtering) can take place in a slaughterhouse or on farm. The processes of slaughtering that were assessed for welfare, from the arrival of cattle until their death (including slaughtering without stunning), were grouped into three main phases: pre-stunning (including arrival, unloading from the truck, lairage, handling and moving of cattle); stunning (including restraint); and bleeding. Stunning methods were grouped into two categories: mechanical and electrical. Twelve welfare consequences that cattle may be exposed to during slaughter were identified: heat stress, cold stress, fatigue, prolonged thirst, prolonged hunger, impeded movement, restriction of movements, resting problems (inability to rest or discomfort during resting), social stress, pain, fear and distress. Welfare consequences and their relevant animal-based measures are described. In total, 40 welfare hazards that could occur during slaughter were identified and characterised, most of them related to stunning and bleeding. Staff were identified as the origin of 39 hazards, which were attributed to the lack of appropriate skill sets needed to perform tasks or to fatigue. Measures to prevent and correct hazards were identified, and structural and managerial measures were identified as those with a crucial role in prevention. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, animal-based measures, origin of hazards, and preventive and corrective measures were developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise welfare consequences are proposed.
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Depner K, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Roberts HC, Sihvonen LH, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, Candiani D, Van der Stede Y, Winckler C. Welfare of cattle during killing for purposes other than slaughter on-farm killing of cattle. EFSA J 2020; 18:e06312. [PMID: 33312235 PMCID: PMC7696001 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cattle of different ages may have to be killed on farm for purposes other than slaughter (the latter being defined as killing for human consumption) either individually or on a large scale, e.g. for economic reasons or for disease control. The purpose of this scientific opinion is to assess the risks associated with the on-farm killing of cattle. The processes during on-farm killing that were assessed included handling and moving, stunning and/or killing methods (including restraint). The killing methods were grouped into mechanical and electrical methods as well as lethal injection. In total, 21 hazards compromising animal welfare were identified and characterised, most of these related to stunning and/or killing. Staff was identified as an origin for all hazards, either due to lack of appropriate skills needed to perform tasks or due to fatigue. Possible preventive and corrective measures were assessed: measures to correct hazards were identified for 19 hazards, and the staff was shown to have a crucial role in prevention. Three welfare consequences of hazards to which cattle can be exposed during on-farm killing were identified: impeded movement, pain and fear. The welfare consequences and relevant animal-based measures related to these were described. Outcome tables linking hazards, welfare consequences, animal-based measures, origins of the hazards, preventive and corrective measures were developed for each process. Mitigation measures to minimise the welfare consequences are proposed.
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9
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Schaut RG, Loving CL, Sharma VK. Escherichia coli O157:H7 virulence factors differentially impact cattle and bison macrophage killing capacity. Microb Pathog 2018; 118:251-256. [PMID: 29588211 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2018.03.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 colonizes the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants, including cattle and bison, which are reservoirs of these zoonotic disease-causing bacteria. Healthy animals colonized by E. coli O157:H7 do not experience clinical symptoms of the disease induced by E. coli O157:H7 infections in humans; however, a variety of host immunological factors may play a role in the amount and frequency of fecal shedding of E. coli O157:H7 by ruminant reservoirs. How gastrointestinal colonization by E. coli O157:H7 impacts these host animal immunological factors is unknown. Here, various isogenic mutant strains of a foodborne isolate of E. coli O157:H7 were used to evaluate bacterial killing capacity of macrophages of cattle and bison, the two ruminant species. Cattle macrophages demonstrated an enhanced ability to phagocytose and kill E. coli O157:H7 compared to bison macrophages, and killing ability was impacted by E. coli O157:H7 virulence gene expression. These findings suggest that the macrophage responses to E. coli O157:H7 might play a role in the variations observed in E. coli O157:H7 fecal shedding by ruminants in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert G Schaut
- USDA-ARS, National Animal Disease Center, Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Crystal L Loving
- USDA-ARS, National Animal Disease Center, Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, Ames, IA 50010, USA
| | - Vijay K Sharma
- USDA-ARS, National Animal Disease Center, Food Safety and Enteric Pathogens Research Unit, Ames, IA 50010, USA.
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Ding C, Rodas-González A, López-Campos Ó, Galbraith J, Juárez M, Larsen I, Jin Y, Aalhus J. Effects of electrical stimulation on meat quality of bison striploin steaks and ground patties. CANADIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2016. [DOI: 10.1139/cjas-2015-0001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
As bison is characteristically dark in colour, this study was conducted to determine if high-voltage electrical stimulation (HVES) could improve the colour and other quality characteristics in bison, similar to positive effects of HVES previously observed in beef. Forty bison bull carcasses were split and HVES (400 V peak, 5 ms pulses at 15 pulses s−1 for 30 s) was applied to the right sides and subsequently evaluated for grade characteristics, metabolic activity, and quality characteristics. The bison carcasses used in this study had a wide range of lean and fat, with minimal marbling. In the present study, HVES had no effect on bison quality traits, sensory attributes, retail display characteristics, nor the glycolytic metabolites (P > 0.05) except lactate. Inherent differences in muscle fibre type or physical carcass differences may have influenced the response to the electrical parameters used in the present study and merits further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. Ding
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, People’s Republic of China; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 600 C and E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4 L 1W1, Canada
| | - A.R. Rodas-González
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 600 C and E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4 L 1W1, Canada
| | - Ó. López-Campos
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 600 C and E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4L 1W1, Canada; Livestock Gentec, 1400 College Plaza, 8215 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8, Canada
| | - J. Galbraith
- Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, Livestock and Farm Business Section, 5712-48 Avenue, Camrose, AB T4 V 0K1, Canada
| | - M. Juárez
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 600 C and E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4 L 1W1, Canada
| | - I.L. Larsen
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 600 C and E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4 L 1W1, Canada
| | - Y. Jin
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010018, People’s Republic of China
| | - J.L. Aalhus
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lacombe Research and Development Centre, 600 C and E Trail, Lacombe, AB T4 L 1W1, Canada
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Cawthorn DM, Hoffman LC. The role of traditional and non-traditional meat animals in feeding a growing and evolving world. Anim Front 2014. [DOI: 10.2527/af.2014-0027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Donna-Mareè Cawthorn
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7600, South Africa
| | - Louwrens C. Hoffman
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, Matieland 7600, South Africa
- South African Research Chair in Meat Science, hosted by the University of Stellenbosch in partnership with the University of Fort Hare and funded by the Department of Science and Technology and administered by the National Research Foundation
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12
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Suman SP, McMillin KW. From the Editors: Contributions of non-traditional meat animals to global food security and agricultural economy. Anim Front 2014. [DOI: 10.2527/af.2014-0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Surendranath P. Suman
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Kenneth W. McMillin
- School of Animal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA
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