EVALUACIóN DEL MANEJO PRESACRIFICIO Y SU RELACIóN CON LA PRESENCIA DE CONTUSIONES EN CANALES BOVINAS

a transversal study in a slaughter plant in the colombian western region was carried out in order to evaluate animal welfare practices during pre-slaughter and their relation with carcass contusions. follow up was performed to 2.288 cattle heads, establishing transport times, fasting, lairage time and other indicators of interest. carcass contusions were categorized, evaluating severity, size and localization. lesion prevalence was 84.3% significantly associated to sex, being females more susceptible than males. lairage time (average 67.1 hours), presence of horned animals, herding method in the farm, and resting time during transport, increased the risk of bruises presence (p ≤ 0.01). execution of animal welfare guidelines during pre-slaughter requires a dissemination process of current laws, training of human resources, an incentive policy for producers, a decrease of lairage times, transport and slaughter plants infrastructure improvement.