Monetary losses resulting from liver condemnation of cattle slaughtered at the Iganga Municipal Council Abattoir

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the major causes of liver condemnation and monetary losses resulting from liver condemnation of cattle slaughtered at the Iganga Municipal Council abattoir during the wet season. The abattoir is located in Iganga district Bikhado zone. The study period lasted 3 weeks and in this period of time 308 cattle were slaughtered and their respective livers observed and inspected at the abattoir. On average 14 animals were slaughtered per day. Out of the 308 livers inspected, 73(23.7%) were normal, 67(21.75%) were totally condemned and 168(54.55%) trimmed livers. Districts, Kaabong, Lira and Iganga registered the highest number of condemned livers. The leading cause of condemnation of livers was fascioliasis with a prevalence of 53.7%, followed by hydatidosis (16.4%), and then calcification and abscessation (14.9%). A total of 185 kilograms were condemned which were equivalent to 2,782,500 UGX monetary loss during the study period, 132,500 UGX losses per day and 48,230,000 UGX estimated annual monetary loss.