Image depicting the hidden economic impact of livestock injuries during transport.

Hidden Costs: How Livestock Injuries Impact Your Bottom Line

Elliot Brynn in Business & Economy December 2025 • 3 min read.

"Discover how pre-slaughter handling affects meat quality and learn practical steps to minimize financial losses."

In the competitive meat industry, optimizing every stage of production is crucial. While much attention is given to breeding and feeding, the often-overlooked area of pre-slaughter handling can significantly impact profitability. Bruises, cuts, and other injuries on livestock carcasses result in downgrades, trimming losses, and ultimately, reduced revenue.

Brazil, a global leader in beef production, exemplifies this issue. With its massive cattle herds and extensive export market, even small improvements in carcass quality can translate to substantial financial gains. The state of Mato Grosso, holding the largest cattle herd in Brazil, faces unique challenges due to its vast geography and varied transportation conditions.

This article explores the economic impact of livestock injuries occurring during transportation and pre-slaughter management. Drawing from research conducted in Mato Grosso, we'll uncover the financial costs associated with carcass lesions and highlight strategies to minimize these losses, benefiting producers, processors, and consumers alike.

How Do Pre-Slaughter Injuries Impact Carcass Value?

Image depicting the hidden economic impact of livestock injuries during transport.

Research was undertaken evaluating carcasses in a northern Mato Grosso slaughterhouse to quantify the economic losses attributed to injuries. The study meticulously examined 1,021 bovine carcasses, documenting lesions resulting from transportation and handling prior to slaughter. The findings revealed that 42.4% of the carcasses exhibited injuries directly linked to these pre-slaughter conditions.

The frequency of these injuries was significantly influenced by transportation time. Here's a breakdown:

Short Hauls (Up to 2 Hours): Averaged 1.82 lesions per injured carcass.
Mid-Range Transport (2-8 Hours): Increased to 2.05 lesions per injured carcass.
Longer Journeys (Over 8 Hours): Maintained a similar level at 2.07 lesions per injured carcass.

While most injured animals had up to four lesions (96.9%), the impact on carcass value is noteworthy. The primary location of these lesions was the loin (50.35%), followed by the rump (36.38%) – prime cuts that command higher prices. The total weight loss from trimming these lesions amounted to 115.76 kg across the studied carcasses. For a medium-sized slaughterhouse, these losses can accumulate to an estimated R$ 200,000 (approximately $40,000 USD) annually.

Reducing Carcass Damage: Steps Towards Profitability

Minimizing pre-slaughter injuries requires a multifaceted approach, focusing on improved animal handling techniques, transportation practices, and facility design. By implementing strategies to reduce stress and prevent physical trauma, producers and processors can significantly improve carcass quality, reduce economic losses, and promote better animal welfare.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1590/s0100-736x2015000400002, Alternate LINK

Title: Perdas Econômicas Ocasionadas Por Lesões Em Carcaças De Bovinos Abatidos Em Matadouro-Frigorífico Do Norte De Mato Grosso

Subject: General Veterinary

Journal: Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira

Publisher: FapUNIFESP (SciELO)

Authors: Angelo Polizel Neto, Natália Zanco, Danielly C.J. Lolatto, Paulo S.A. Moreira, Tiago Dromboski

Published: 2015-04-01

Everything You Need To Know

What economic impact do injuries have on livestock carcasses before slaughter?

Injuries on livestock carcasses sustained before slaughter, such as bruises and cuts, lead to downgrades and trimming losses, reducing revenue for producers and processors. The state of Mato Grosso exemplifies this where a medium-sized slaughterhouse can lose approximately $40,000 USD annually due to trimming lesion on carcasses. These losses can significantly impact the overall profitability of the meat production process.

How does the length of transportation affect the number of lesions on livestock carcasses?

The frequency of injuries increases with transportation time. Short hauls (up to 2 hours) average 1.82 lesions per injured carcass, mid-range transport (2-8 hours) increases to 2.05 lesions, and longer journeys (over 8 hours) maintain a similar level at 2.07 lesions per injured carcass. Extended transportation duration contributes to a higher incidence of carcass lesions, which negatively affect meat quality and value.

Where are lesions most commonly found on livestock carcasses, and why is this significant?

Lesions are most commonly found on the loin (50.35%) and rump (36.38%) of livestock carcasses. These are prime cuts that command higher prices, so injuries in these areas lead to substantial financial losses due to the need for trimming. The loin and the rump represents high-value portions of the carcass, making injuries particularly costly.

What strategies can producers and processors implement to minimize pre-slaughter injuries and improve carcass quality?

To minimize pre-slaughter injuries, producers and processors can implement improved animal handling techniques, transportation practices, and facility design. Reducing stress and preventing physical trauma during transportation and handling can significantly improve carcass quality and reduce economic losses. This includes minimizing stress during loading/unloading, ensuring adequate space in trucks and improved road quality.

Given that a study examined 1,021 bovine carcasses, revealing that 42.4% exhibited injuries from pre-slaughter conditions, what broader implications does this finding have for the meat industry, particularly in regions like Mato Grosso?

The finding that 42.4% of bovine carcasses exhibit injuries from pre-slaughter conditions highlights a systemic issue in the meat industry, particularly in regions like Mato Grosso with extensive cattle herds and varied transportation conditions. This suggests that a significant portion of potential revenue is being lost due to preventable injuries. Addressing these issues through improved animal handling, transportation, and facility design could lead to substantial financial gains and improved meat quality. This can also promote better animal welfare and consumer satisfaction.