How clean are my cattle?

Operator decisions regarding cleanliness will include an assessment of the amount of dung and dirt present as well as the wetness of the hide.

A system of sorting animals into different categories, may be used to evaluate whether the animals are able to proceed to slaughter. Appendix 2 shows examples of cattle that have been assessed as being clean enough to proceed to slaughter and cattle too dirty, particularly if wet, to proceed to slaughter. These examples provide guidance for the levels of cattle cleanliness expected when they reach the abattoir.

Any animals that do not meet the abattoirʼs minimum requirements for cleanliness may need to be retained by the operator in the lairage to dry and will possibly need clipping or other treatment before they are slaughtered. There is also the possibility of cattle being rejected.

Extra time spent in lairage, clipping, reducing the line speed and rejection of animals all incur additional costs to producers and operators. Therefore it is in everyoneʼs best interests to make sure cattle are clean when presented for slaughter.