FREQUÊNCIA, CARACTERIZAÇÃO E FATORES ASSOCIADOS À OCORRÊNCIA DE FRATURAS NA COLUNA VERTEBRAL DE SUÍNOS ABATIDOS EM UBERLÂNDIA-MG

Abstract

The pig production, like any productive chain, presents critical points, if they are not well managed, generate losses. One of these points is the disposal of pork because of fractures that occur during the slaughter process. In this context, the present study had as objective to evaluate the possible causes of fractures in pigs slaughtered in a slaughterhouse located in Uberlândia-MG. The analysis of the fractures was made from data collected in eight visits between March and June of 2017, in which information was collected on 745 slaughtered pigs. This information refers to the origin and weight of the animals, characteristic of the fracture and compliance of the electrocution. Of the total analyzed, 274 (36.8%) presented some type of fracture, mostly in the medial position (80.2%) and the other fractures, cranial and caudal, showed a smaller number (19.7%). Both the weight and the compliance of the electrocution did not statistically influence the occurrence of fractures (P> 0.05). Among the factors analyzed, the only one that significantly influenced the occurrence of vertebral fractures was the origin of the animals (P <0.05). Through the results obtained, and using economic-financial data from official agencies, it was possible to estimate the loss, in reais, caused by the fracture, it was estimated a monthly loss of R$ 1,675.00 for the slaughterhouse. It was concluded that the origin of the animals was determinant in the occurrence of spine fractures in pigs, resulting in financial loss for the industry.