Evaluation of control over the microbiological contamination of carcasses in a lamb carcass dressing process operated with or without pasteurizing treatment.

The aim of this study was to quantify the hygienic status of a lamb slaughterhouse by means of multivariate statistical analysis, to demonstrate how the microbiological data could be exploited to improve the lamb slaughter process by constructing control charts and to evaluate the potential effect of an intervention step such as steam application on the microbiological quality of lamb carcasses. Results showed that pelt removal and evisceration were hygienically uncontrolled. TVC and Enterobacteriaceae progressively increased from the stage 'after pelt removal of hind and forelegs/before final pulling' to the stage 'after evisceration/before pluck removal' thus indicating possible deposition of microorganisms during these operations.

Supporting the extensive dairy sheep smallholders of the semi-arid region of Crete through technical intervention.

The objective of this field study was to depict the extensive system of dairy sheep farming in the semi-arid environment of the island of Crete and to assess the potential margins of improvement through technical intervention. Forty-three family-run farms keeping a total of 13,870 sheep were surveyed in seven representative areas of the island. Several parameters were dealt with, concerning socio-economy, flock management and productivity.

Losses in weight and body water in sows after weaning.

The loss of body water of eight sows in the 7 d following weaning was determined using the deuterium oxide dilution technique. Four of the sows had received a concentrate diet in restricted amounts while the other four had been given the same diet mixed with two-thirds its weight of oat husks ad lib. during the whole of the preceding lactation.