How Stress Affects Water Holding Capacity

Animal stress before processing can adversely affect WHC in animal carcasses, lowering yield and quality.

Animals subjected to abnormal levels of stress leading up to processing can affect the water holding capacity of meat by speeding up metabolism and the rate of lactic acid production. This can lead to lower carcass yields and lower quality in the meat cuts. The attached outline offers some things to watch for as you work to maintain the highest quality for your customers.