Lairage time (short — 8min to 2.7 h, n=28 vs. long — 14 to 21.5 h, n=72) and pig handling (gentle— no use of
stick or electric prod, pig not slipping, falling, nor emitting high-pitched vocalizations vs. rough — where any of
these occurred) effects on pig stress and meat quality were measured. Blood lactate and cortisol, plus postmortem
pH (pH60 min; pH24 h), temperature (T60 min), drip loss, sensory and instrumental color andmeat quality
for the longissimus dorsi, pars lumbalis derived meat were determined. Carcass rigor mortis and skin damages
were measured. Lairage time significantly affected blood lactate, carcass rigor mortis, skin damages, drip loss,
color and meat quality. Handling procedure influenced blood lactate, pH60 min and T60 min. Long lairage was
more stressful, and was detrimental to carcass quality, but caused bettermeat quality compared to short lairage.
Rough handling was related to higher lactate and lower meat quality