Australia: Shorter lairage boosts returns but there is a secret to it

Shorter waiting times before slaughter for cattle at Australian Country Choice's Cannon Hill processing facility could see a 4.64 kilogram per carcase benefit, according to a new study. Shared across the wider Australian red-meat industry, the research findings could offer a way to improve economic returns for livestock producers and meat processors and improve meat eating quality for consumers. UNE honours student Holly Speers found that reducing waiting time from the industry standard of 16 to 24 hours to as low as two hours increases dressing percentage, carcass weights - both hot and cold - and eating quality, without compromising food safety. She focussed her four-month study on 1896 crossbred steers coming from ACC's Brisbane Valley feedlot to Cannon Hill from June to September 2024. Her research suggested that the shorter waiting time in lairage increased hot standard carcass weight, cold carcass weight and dressing percentage, compared to longer lairage times. Lairage is ...