Reducing sheep slaughter line rejections

During post‑mortem inspections, any organ, or part or whole carcase, not meeting the required standards will be rejected. This leads to reduced returns and possible non‑payment to the farmer because of total carcase rejection. Find out how to minimise carcase losses and generate better returns.

At English sheep slaughterhouses in 2021:

• 822,034 livers were rejected because of Cysticercus tenuicollis
• 474,187 livers were rejected because of liver fluke
• 600,676 carcases showed signs of pneumonia/pleurisy
• 219,340 sheep had abscesses
• 97,476 carcases were rejected because of Cysticercus ovis

Underlying health issues affect lamb growth rates and influence returns, as it takes longer for animals to be marketable.

Worms are a major threat to the performance and health of lambs, and controlling them is vital. Anthelmintics give good control in most areas, but wormer resistance is growing across England.

Use risk assessment strategies and tools such as faecal egg counts before treating and follow good drenching practice.

Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) not only affects the live animal but also damages the end product.

At certain times of year, up to 50% of livers can be condemned in abattoirs due to liver fluke damage, and these cannot be sold for human consumption. This has a knock-on effect to the whole supply chain.

Sheep bruise easily, particularly young lambs. This can result in wasteful trimming and partial condemnation of the carcase, which reduces saleability and the amount you’ll be paid.

Avoid potential losses by:

• Not handling sheep by grabbing wool
• Not allowing sheep to trample over each other in races during handling or selection
• Not overcrowding sheep in vehicles and using internal partitions to restrict movement while travelling
• Not leaving any sharp objects in races, trailers or gates, etc.
• Using clean injection needles and correct injection techniques to avoid infection
• Choosing injection site with care – inject animals in the neck and avoid the rump

The condition livestock arrive in at slaughter has a major impact on carcase cleanliness, product quality and shelf life.

Clean livestock avoids extra interventions, price penalties and rejection and is essential for producing safe, high-quality meat and maintaining confidence in British products.

Sheep must be presented for slaughter clean, free from dung and soil, to prevent carcase contamination.

Sheep with heavily contaminated, dirty fleeces may be ineligible for slaughter due to strict food safety and hygiene regulations.

A dirty fleece is worth less than a clean one and it can contaminate the carcase.

Clean livestock policy

The clean livestock policy is a guide to determine suitability for slaughter. It is no longer compulsory for plants to use this system, but many still do as it is widely understood:

• Category 1 – Clean and dry: Accepted for slaughter without special treatment
• Category 2 – Slightly dirty: Accepted for slaughter without special treatment
• Category 3 – Dirty: May be rejected for slaughter or special methods used and value reduced
• Category 4 – Very dirty: May be rejected for slaughter or special methods used and value reduced
• Category 5 – Filthy and wet: May be rejected for slaughter or special methods used and value reduce

Reducing the risk of dirty sheep

Maintaining clean, dry conditions on farm and during transport helps minimise this risk.

Tips to reduce the risk:

• Present livestock clean, dry and fit for transport
• Keep vehicles clean, dry, disinfected and well ventilated, using absorbent bedding such as straw, shavings or sawdust, and ensure upper decks don’t soil lower decks
• Crutch or belly clip where necessary, but be wary of overzealous shearing, which can damage and devalue the skin
• Consider finishing lambs on grass but be mindful of wet weather and muddy fields, which can lead to dirty fleeces
• Plan appropriate parasite controls
• Avoid sudden changes to their diet; changes should be gradual to avoid scouring
• House sheep on clean straw or slats for 24 hours before slaughter with fresh water available and withhold feed for at least six hours prior to transport