THE ROLE OF EQUIPMENT THAT HAS DIRECT CONTACT WITH THE CARCASE IN THE SPREAD OF SALMONELLA IN A BEEF ABATTOIR

Counts of Salmonella were performed by the most probable number technique on 16 articles of abattoir equipment having direct contact with the carcase. Forty samples were collected from each article over 21 months. The contamination rate of these articles with salmonellae varied from nil % for a saw used to quarter the sides to 47.5% for stainless steel tables and hooks. Mesh gloves were also highly contaminated, salmonellae being isolated from 32.5% of gloves on the slaughter floor and 40% of those in the boning room. Salmonella counts ranged from 1.0 to 3,663 organisms per article. Mesh gloves, cutting boards and stainless steel tables were found to have counts that were at times greater than 1,000 salmonellae per article.     

BEEF CATTLE RESEARCH IN THE NEXT DECADE*

SUMMARY Priorities for research in beef cattle are proposed in the areas of nutrition, breeding, reproduction and health. Research in nutrition should be concerned with enhancing utilisation of cellulose and non-protein nitrogen. Cattle breeding projects should concentrate on the synthesis of genotypes suited to specific environments, while in the area of reproduction, wastage remains the most important problem. Improvement of diagnostic tests and vaccines would result from intensified research into subcellular function of causative organisms. Major contributions to animal health could emanate from studies of the genetic basis of disease resistance. The very small number of veterinarians employed in animal production research tends to deprive health of its proper place as a central feature of production.