Effect of neck cut position on time to collapse in halal slaughtered cattle without stunning

This study examined the effect of neck cut position on the time to physical collapse in upright restrained halal slaughtered cattle (n=644). Time to collapse was used as an indirect indicator of the early stages of onset of unconsciousness. Cattle were slaughtered with either a conventional low (LNC) (n=561) or a high neck cut (HNC) (n=83). Mean time to final collapse was higher in the LNC compared to HNC group (18.9±1.1s and 13.5±1.3s respectively (P20s to collapse was reduced by the high neck cut.•High neck cut could reduce the suffering associated with slaughter without stunning.