2. Materials and methods
2.1. Data collection
Trained university personnel observed kosher beef slaughter of
steers and heifers of mostly Angus genetics sourced from North Dakota
and Minnesota, USA (n = 162) at a commercial abattoir in New Rockford,
ND during three slaughter days in consecutive months (January
throughMarch). Slaughter facilities are typical of a modern beef slaughter
facility,with cattle moving fromlairage pens onto a v-belt restrainer
thatmoved the cattle to the bleeding gate. All cattlewere held in an upright
position and the head restrained by a hydraulic device that presented
the throat to the trained rabbi for bleeding. A single rabbi
performed all of the bleeding, and all animal were presented for
“Glatt” kosher slaughter.