• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.29 no.8
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• pp.1083-1094
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• 2016

Carcass and price traits of 72,969 Hanwoo cows, bulls and steers aged 16 to 80 months at slaughter collected from 2002 to 2013 at 75 beef packing plants in Korea were analyzed to determine heritability, correlation and breeding value using the Multi-Trait restricted maximum likelihood (REML) animal model procedure. The traits included carcass measurements, scores and grades at 24 h postmortem and bid prices at auction. Relatively high heritability was found for maturity ($0.41{\pm}0.031$), while moderate heritability estimates were obtained for backfat thickness ($0.20{\pm}0.018$), longissimus muscle (LM) area ($0.23{\pm}0.020$), carcass weight ($0.28{\pm}0.019$), yield index ($0.20{\pm}0.018$), yield grade ($0.16{\pm}0.017$), marbling ($0.28{\pm}0.021$), texture ($0.14{\pm}0.016$), quality grade ($0.26{\pm}0.016$) and price/kg ($0.24{\pm}0.025$). Relatively low heritability estimates were observed for meat color ($0.06{\pm}0.013$) and fat color ($0.06{\pm}0.012$). Heritability estimates for most traits were lower than those in the literature. Genetic correlations of carcass measurements with characteristic scores or quality grade of carcass ranged from -0.27 to +0.21. Genetic correlations of yield grade with backfat thickness, LM area and carcass weight were 0.91, -0.43, and -0.09, respectively. Genetic correlations of quality grade with scores of marbling, meat color, fat color and texture were -0.99, 0.48, 0.47, and 0.98, respectively. Genetic correlations of price/kg with LM area, carcass weight, marbling, meat color, texture and maturity were 0.57, 0.64, 0.76, -0.41, -0.79, and -0.42, respectively. Genetic correlations of carcass price with LM area, carcass weight, marbling and texture were 0.61, 0.57, 0.64, and -0.73, respectively, with standard errors ranging from ${\pm}0.047$ to ${\pm}0.058$. The mean carcass weight breeding values increased by more than 8 kg, whereas the mean marbling scores decreased by approximately 0.2 from 2000 through 2009. Overall, the results suggest that genetic improvement of productivity and carcass quality could be obtained under the national scale breeding scheme of Korea for Hanwoo and that continuous efforts to improve the breeding scheme should be made to increase genetic progress.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.667-672
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• 2020

It is well known that intensive selection caused a decline in reproductive performance in dairy cattle. Interestingly, the reproductive performances including fertility and calving interval of Korean native beef cattle have declined in the last 20 years, suggesting that a breeding program focusing on carcass weight and intramuscular fat may affect the reproductive physiology in Korean native beef cattle, too. In this study, we analyzed the calving interval (CI) and selection index (SI) based on genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of Hanwoo cows for seven years (2013 - 2019). Multiparous cows (4.5 ± 0.11) were analyzed, which were bred by artificial insemination (AI). We first examined the distribution of the AIs and calving dates. About 40% of the AIs were carried out in May to June and October to December; subsequently, calving was observed from March to April and August to October, respectively, indicating the cows were seasonally bred. No correlation between CI and SI was found (y = 0.0459x - 17.64; R² = 0.0356), but the ratio of cows with a positive SI was higher in the longer CI group compared to the shorter group, suggesting that the selection for meat quality and quantity may affect the reproductive performances. In addition, the average value of SI was - 3.42 in the CI < 400 while + 5.79 in the CI > 400 although the values were not statistically significant. However, our results suggest that reproductive indices such as fertility and CI should be considered for sustainability in the Hanwoo breeding selection program.

• Korean Journal of Animal Reproduction
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.91-96
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• 1988

A study was conducted to improve breeding efficiency of dairy and beef cows on Cheju Island. Milk progesterone and plasma progesterone profiles were determined by using radioimmunoassay techniques during the oestrus cycle, onset on oestrus and during the gestation period. Progesterone connections in milk were very low during the oestrus with a means value of 2.4ng/ml and 4.6ng/ml at the onset of oestrus but gradually declined at 4 to 9 hr after oestrus. In the cyclic cow, milk progesterone concentraitons in the early part of the cycle, ranged from 3 to 5ng/ml and increased from 6.0 to 11.6ng/ml on day 13 to 21 of cycle. Milk progesterone concentrations of pregnancy cows ranged from 5.0 to 40ng/ml during the gestation and grom basal line to 3.5ng/ml for nonpregnant cows. Plasma progesterone concentrations of beef during pregnancy period ranged form 3.0 to 33ng/ml and basal levels ranged from 0 to less than 2.5ng/ml for non-pregnant beef cows.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.225-234
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• 1993

A total of 333 carcasses were evaluated for hindquarter traits: round weight, percent round, loin weight, percent loin, flank weight and percent flank. Other characteristics included: total retail, lean trim, fat trim, round steaks, rump, sirloin tip, loin steaks, percent loin steaks and flank steaks. Mating types included straightbred Angus and Santa Gertrudis, the reciprocal crosses of these two breeds and Gelbvieh ${\times}$ Angus. Breed of sire and breed of dam were significant for most of the traits evaluated. Calf year and slaughter group were also significant. This could be the result of environmental variations. Effect of sire within sire breed was non-significant for all the traits considered. Heterosis due to interaction between sire breed ${\times}$ dam breed was found significant for percent total retail cuts based on hindquarter weight. Generally, Santa Gertrudis purebreds were more desirable in cut out characteristics than all other breeding types followed by crossbreds of Angus ${\times}$ Santa Gertrudis.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.7
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• pp.933-950
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• 2018

In Japan, Wagyu cattle include four Japanese breeds; Black, Brown, Shorthorn, and Polled. Today, the renowned brand name Wagyu includes not only cattle produced in Japan, but also cattle produced in countries such as Australia and the United States. In recent years, the intramuscular fat percentage in beef (longissimus muscle) from Japanese Black cattle has increased to be greater than 30%. The Japanese Black breed is genetically predisposed to producing carcass lipids containing higher concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids than other breeds. However, there are numerous problems with the management of this breed including high production costs, disposal of untreated excrement, the requirement for imported feed, and food security risks resulting from various viral diseases introduced by imported feed. The feeding system needs to shift to one that is more efficient, and improves management for farmers, food security for consumers, and the health environment for residents of Japan. Currently, we are developing a metabolic programming and an information and communications technology (ICT, or Interne of Things) management system for Wagyu beef production as future systems. If successful, we will produce safe, high-quality Wagyu beef using domestic pasture resources while solving the problems of how to utilize increasing areas of abandoned agricultural land and to make use of the plant-based feed resources in Japan's mountainous areas.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.495-498
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• 1995

Records taken on 372 young beef bulls tested at the Ellerslie Bull Test Station, Alberta, Canada from November 1981 to April 1987 were analyzed to quantify the effects of age of dam, on-test age, on-test liveweight and herd of origin of bull on feed efficiency (feed/gain, kg/kg) in the test period (n = 231) and ultrasonic measurement of bakcfat thickness (mm) at the end of the test (n = 372). The reduction in $R^2$ due to each influencing factor (i.e. the variation accounted for by the factor) was used to indicate the importance of the influencing factor. Age of dam and on-test age of bull were not important factors on feed/gain and ultrasonic backfat thickness, as they accounted for less than 0.5% of the variation in feed/gain and ultrasonic backfat thickness, respectively (p > 0.1). On-test liveweight had some influence on feed/gain and ultrasonic backfat thickness, accounting for 3.5% (p < 0.01) and 0.4% (p < 0.05) of the total variation, respectively. The regression coefficients of feed/gain and ultrasonic backfat thickness on on-test liveweight were 0.016 (kg/kg)/kg and .013 mm/kg, respectively, both being significant (p < 0.05), indicating that lighter bulls entering the test were generally more efficient in feed utilization in the test period and had less backfat at the end of the test than heavier entering bulls. Herd of origin of bull accounted for a substantial amount of the total variation (> 16%) in feed/gain and ultrasonic backfat thickness (p = 0.08), indicating that a prolonged aqjustment period was needed to reduce the influence of herd of origin when assessing aggregate genetic merit of beef bulls for growth rate, feed efficiency and lean meat production using a central station performance testing program.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.63 no.4
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• pp.759-765
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• 2021

Recently, summer temperatures have frequently been abnormal in Korea owing to global warming. In summer, a decrease in feed intake rate and biological activity were observed in Hanwoo (Korean Native Cattle), leading to lower production rates in the industry. However, the precise scale of damage was not reported as with other animals of economic value. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of birth season on birth weight in Hanwoo. Data were collected from 100 local breeding farms from 2016 to 2019. A total of 41,081 Hanwoo calves were classified and analyzed by sex, year, month, and season (March-May, spring; June-August, summer; September-November, fall; and December-February, winter) of birth. The birth weight of Hanwoo calves differed according to birth month. The average birth weight of male calves was 30.47 kg and that of female calves was 28.16 kg. Hanwoo birth weight was the highest in March-born calves and the lowest in July-born calves. The birth weights of calves born in February, March, April, November, and December were significantly larger than those of calves born in July. In addition, the birth weight of Hanwoo calves from the summer was significantly lower than that of calves born in other seasons. Furthermore, Hanwoo steer slaughter age showed a negative correlation, whereas carcass weight had a positive correlation with birth weight. In the beef cattle industry, birth weight is a very important economic characteristic that is related to growth rate. These data will contribute toward planning the reproduction of Hanwoo and analysis of changes in characteristics of economic value owing to high temperatures.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.1211-1218
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• 2019

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of age and gender (bull vs steer) on feeding behavior parameters in young beef cattle fed grass silage. Methods: The study was conducted on 180 young beef cattle at 7 to 18 mo of age. The experimental materials comprised 90 bulls produced by commercial crossing of Polish Holstein-Friesian cows with Charolais, Limousin and Hereford bulls (30 animals of each breed) and 90 steers of the same genotypes. The animals had ad libitum access to grass silage; the concentrate was fed separately, in feed stations. They received 28 g dry matter of concentrate per kg of metabolic body weight per day. Bunk visit data and silage intake for all experimental animals were recorded individually using the Roughage Intake Control system (5 feed bunks per 15 animals). Results: Age and gender (bull vs steer) exerted significant effects on the feeding behavior of young beef cattle. The frequency of bunk visits and meal frequency decreased, whereas the feeding rate of silage, and the average duration and size of a single meal increased with age (p<0.01). Bunk attendance and meal frequency were higher (p<0.01) in steers than in bulls (49.1 vs 37.4 visits/d, and 8.63 vs 7.99 meals/d, respectively). Daily feeding time was longer in steers than in bulls (102.3 vs 100.3 min/d, respectively), but the feeding rate of silage was lower in steers, and their meals were smaller in size and shorter in duration (p<0.01). Daily silage dry matter intake was higher (p<0.01) in bulls than in steers (4.62 vs 4.47 kg/d, respectively). Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that age and gender (bull vs steer) exerted significant effects on the feeding behavior of young beef cattle.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.8
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• pp.1074-1080
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• 2017

Objective: The growth, carcass and retail cut yield records on 1,428 Hanwoo steers obtained through progeny testing were analyzed in this study, and their heritability and genetic relationships among the traits were estimated using animal models. Methods: Two different models were compared in this study. Each model was fitted for different fixed class effects, date of slaughter for carcass traits and batch of progeny test live measurement traits, and a choice of covariates (carcass weight in Model 1 or backfat thickness in Model 2) for carcass traits. Results: The differences in body composition among individuals were deemed being unaffected by their age at slaughter, except for carcass weight and backfat thickness. Heritability estimates of body size measurements were 0.21 to 0.36. Heritability estimates of retail cut percentage were high (0.56 from Model 1 and 0.47 from Model 2). And the heritability estimates for loin muscle percentage were 0.36 from Model 1 and 0.42 from Model 2, which were high enough to consider direct selection on carcass cutability traits as effective. The genetic correlations between body size measurements and retail cut ratio (RCR) were close to zero. But, some negative genetic correlations were found with chest girths measured at yearling (Model 1) or at 24 months of age or with chest widths. Loin muscle ratio (LMR) was genetically negatively correlated with body weights or body size measurements, in general in Model 1. These relationships were low close to zero but positive in Model 2. Phenotypic correlation between cutability traits (RCR, LMR) and live body size measurements were moderate and negative in Model 1 while those in Model 2 were all close to zero. Conclusion: Therefore, the body weights or linear body measurements at an earlier age may not be the most desirable selection traits for exploitation of correlated responses to improve loin muscle or lean meat yield.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.353-358
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• 2003

Regarding the fattening of younger cattle that the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) recommends in Japan, this study looked at vitamin A control in feed and blood and its effect on performance of production and carcass composition of Wagyu steers. Five sets from 10 Wagyu artificial identical twins were divided to into 2 groups, a restricted group (Test) and a supplied group (Control). The body weight at the finishing time of the Test was significantly lower than that of the Control (p<0.05). The daily gain from 13 to 21 months old, as the animals in the Test were fed the concentrated feed without Vitamin A, was significantly different (p<0.05) between the Test and the Control. The total daily gains for the Test and the Control for the fattening period were 0.82 kg/day and 0.93 kg/day, respectively, which showed a significant difference (p<0.01). Regarding the rib thickness, the Test was thinner than the Control. The Beef Marbling Scores of the Test and Control were 3.60 and 2.80, respectively. The muscle weight of the Test was significantly smaller than that of the Control (p<0.01). However, regarding the ratio to the carcass, the Test was significantly higher than the Control (p<0.05). For the fat weight, the Test was smaller by about 15 kg than the Control (p<0.01). Furthermore, for the fat ratio to the carcass, the Test was significantly lower than the Control (p<0.05). The bone weights of the two groups were approximately the same. Regarding the ratio of bone to carcass, the Test was higher than the Control (p<0.01). For the younger fattening method, the low level vitamin A in the serum had the effect that the muscle ratio to the carcass weight was greater and the fat was less, but the carcass and muscle weight were less.