The Relationship between Carcass Condemnations and Tail Lesion in Swine Considering Different Production Systems and Tail Lengths

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Tail biting is considered a major welfare problem in swine production, associated with relevant financial costs for farmers. The European Union has reaffirmed the prohibition of tail docking practices, with all Member States establishing standards for the protection of pigs as well as measures to reduce the need for tail docking and tail biting prevalence. This research aims to assess the importance of tail lesions (using two different scores) and its influence on carcass condemnations considering different production systems and tail length. According to the results, higher tail lesion scores reflected higher total condemnations rates. An intimate association was encountered between the scarring score and total and local carcass condemnations. Tail length was also significant, with undocked animals presenting higher tail lesions scores. Organic batches reported more total condemnations. This research highlights the importance of tail lesions on carcass condemnations that may also be influenced by docking and type of production. These results suggest that scarred tail tissue should be included in the current tail surveillance program. ABSTRACT: Tail biting has been recognised as an intractable problem in pig production. This study aims to evaluate tail lesion occurrence in slaughtered pigs and explore the relationship between carcass condemnations and tail lesion considering different production systems and tail lengths and to evaluate the importance of creating a detailed tail score classification that includes scarred lesions. Data on a total of 9189 pigs from 73 batches with different tail lengths (undocked; docked mid-length; fully docked) and from distinct production systems (conventional; conventional antibiotic-free and organic) were collected at a Spanish abattoir. Batches with higher tail lesion scores presented a significantly higher chance of total condemnation and total condemnation due to pyaemia, being even more associated with scarring score. The within-batches probability for local condemnations and local condemnation due to abscesses increased significantly with higher scarring scores. Regarding tail length, docked at mid-length and undocked carcasses presented significantly higher odds to be condemned due to abscess. Organic farms showed a higher probability of total condemnations. This research highlights the importance of tail lesions on carcass condemnations that may also be influenced by docking and type of production. Results suggest that scarring score should be included in the tail surveillance program.