Differences in pre-harvest stress measurements and carcass characteristics between kosher and not-qualified-askosher
cattlewere evaluated. Finished heifers (n=157) were slaughtered by a shochet while held in an upright
position using Glatt slaughter procedures. Stress measurements were collected prior to slaughter. Carcass data
were collected, and 3.8-cm thick samples were taken from the loin at the 13th rib. Steaks from each sample
were evaluated for mechanical tenderness and simulated retail display. Cattlewith shorter times fromgate to exsanguination
and lower vocalization scores weremore likely (P b 0.01) to qualify as kosher. Kosher carcasses had
larger (P = 0.02) ribeye areas and higher (P b 0.0001) Warner–Bratzler shear values. At each day of simulated
retail display, kosher steaks had lower (P b 0.05) L*, a*, and b* values. These data suggest that body composition
and pre-harvest stress affect the likelihood of a beef animal qualifying as kosher and quality differences exist
between kosher and non-kosher steaks.