What is the effect of withholding feed prior to slaughter on meat quality?

Withholding feed prior to slaughter is primarily intended to reduce the weight of the gastrointestinal tract, which can help in minimizing the stress associated with transport and handling of the animal before slaughter. This practice can contribute to better meat quality by ensuring that the animal is less stressed when it arrives at the processing facility. Stress is known to adversely affect muscle metabolism and can lead to poor meat quality, including conditions like dark cutting beef, which arises from elevated stress levels prior to slaughter.

In this context, reducing stress on the animal directly contributes to a more favorable outcome for meat quality, ensuring that the muscle is in optimal condition during the slaughter process. Lower stress levels can ultimately improve factors pertinent to the final product, such as palatability and juiciness.

While other options, such as improving fat deposition or enhancing tenderness and flavor, may be associated with various management practices or post-slaughter techniques, they do not directly relate to the immediate effects of withholding feed prior to slaughter. The practice mainly centers around managing the animal's stress levels, which is critical for maintaining high standards of meat quality.