• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.31 no.11
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• pp.1714-1720
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• 2018

Objective: This study was conducted to analyze the effects of stocking density on growth and carcass quality, and behavior of Hanwoo cattle to conform with global trends, targeting animal welfare production through the practice of environmentally friendly condition. Methods: Thirty six steers were randomly assigned to three treatment groups (C: 5 heads, T1: 4 heads, T2: 3 heads) and reared in separate pens with a constant stocking density of $50m^2$ (C: $10m^2/head$, T1: $12.5m^2/head$, T2: $16.67m^2/head$) per group from 12 to 30 month of age. Growth performance, behavior and carcass quality traits of each steer were recorded and compared between the treatment groups. Results: In general, the average daily gain during the fattening period was lower in group T2 than in T1 and the control groups. However, carcass weight and dressing percentage was lower in the control group than in T1 or T2 groups (p<0.05). Also, marbling score at 30 months of age was the lowest in the control group (p<0.05), while the three heads group (T2) had the greatest longissimus muscle area and marbling score (p<0.05). The behavior of walking time was the greatest in T2 group, while self-grooming and fighting occurred with the most frequency in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusion: Our results show that the steers in more spacious stocking density had better carcass quality and wellbeing related behaviors, indicating that a lower density has a positive effect on raising management and carcass quality. Thus it is a need to install appropriate pens fitted to welfare-oriented management practices from growing to fattening period in Hanwoo cattle.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.66 no.3
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• pp.523-542
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• 2024

Hanwoo and Jeju Black cattle (Jeju Black) are native breeds of Korean cattle. Jeju Black cattle are recognized as natural monuments and are known to exhibit slower growth rates compared to Hanwoo. While several studies have analyzed the genetic characteristics of these cattle, there has been limited research on the differences in their microbiome. In this study, rumen fluid was obtained from three Hanwoo steers and three Jeju Black steers, and three different diets (total mixed rations [TMRs] for growing, early fattening, and late fattening periods) were used as substrates for in vitro fermentation. The in vitro incubation was conducted for 3 h and 24 h following a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement. After both incubation periods, fermentation characteristics were analyzed, and ruminal microbiome analysis was performed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, employing both QIIME2 and PICRUSt2. The results revealed significant differences in the ruminal microbiota due to the inoculum effect. At the phylum level, Patescibacteria and Synergistota were found to be enriched in the Jeju Black inoculum-treated group. Additionally, using different inocula also affected the relative abundance of major taxa, including Ruminococcus, Pseudoramibacter, Ruminococcaceae CAG-352, and the [Eubacterium] ruminantium group. These microbial differences induced by the inoculum may have originated from varying levels of domestication between the two subspecies of donor animals, which mainly influenced the fermentation and microbiome features in the early incubation stages, although this was only partially offset afterward. Furthermore, predicted commission numbers of microbial enzymes, some of which are involved in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, fatty acids, and alpha amylase, differed based on the inoculum effect. However, these differences may account for only a small proportion of the overall metabolic pathway. Conversely, diets were found to affect protein biosynthesis and its related metabolism, which showed differential abundance in the growing diet and were potentially linked to the growth-promoting effects in beef cattle during the growing period. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that using different inocula significantly affected in vitro fermentation characteristics and microbiome features, mainly in the early stages of incubation, with some effects persisting up to 24 h of incubation.

• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.839-851
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• 2024

Objective: The main goal of our current study was to improve the growth curve of meat animals by decreasing the birth weight while achieving a finishing weight that is the same as that before selection but at younger age. Methods: Random regression model was developed to derive various selection indices to achieve desired gains in body weight at target time points throughout the fattening process. We considered absolute and proportional gains at specific ages (in weeks) and for various stages (i.e., early, middle, late) during the fattening process. Results: The point gain index was particularly easy to use because breeders can assign a specific age (in weeks) as a time point and model either the actual weight gain desired or a scaled percentage gain in body weight. Conclusion: The point gain index we developed can achieve the desired weight gain at any given postnatal week of the growing process and is an easy-to-use and practical option for improving the growth curve.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.3
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• pp.327-340
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of domestic clay minerals on feed efficiency, meat quantity, meat quality and economic traits in 24 head of Hanwoo steers(166.1kg in body weight) for 540 days from six to 24 months in age. Feeding trial was conducted with 4 treatment(six heads/treatment) which were T1(Control), T2(Control+Kaolinite), T3(Control+Bentonite), T4(Control+Illite). The results obtained are summarized as follows; The range of average daily gains were 0.682 to 0.713, 0.669 to 0.714, 0.690 to 0.840 and 0.699 to 0.756kg in growing, fattening, finishing and over-all period, respectively, and the gains were high in T1 for growing and fattening period but in clay mineral groups for finishing and over-all period, especially it was high in Illite and Bentonite groups. Concentrates and TDN intakes per unit of kg gains were lower in clay mineral groups than in control and was lower especially in Bentonite groups. In carcass characteristics, dressed carcass and fresh meat and retailed cut percent were not apparently difference by treatments, and yield index was 69.3, 68.9, 68.8 and 68.6 in T3, T2, T4 and T1, respectively. Marbling scores were 5.1, 4.6, 4.4 and 3.3 in T3, T2, T4 and T1, respectively, and the range of shear force by treatment was from 3.51 to 6.02kg/cm2. and were improved with significant difference(P<0.05) in clay mineral groups than in control. Also in palatability traits, panel test scores of juiciness, tenderness and flavor were improved in clay mineral feeding groups, especially the flavor was improved with highly significant difference(P<0.01) in clay mineral groups than in control. In total fatty acid contents, the rate of SFA(saturated fatty acid) in longissimus muscle of beef was higher in the order of T2, T3, T1 and T4 while the rate of MUFA(monounsaturated fatty acid) was high in the order of T4, T3, T1 and T2. The content of oleic acid which is major influential factor at the flavor of beef was higher in Illite groups than in any other groups. In composition of amino acids in longissimus muscles of beef, the rate of essential amino acids was high in the order of T1, T2, T3 and T4. and the rate of amino acids in clay mineral groups was smaller than in control.In chemical component in Gom-Tang(soup of bone) made by Hanwoo steer’s leg-bone, the ranges of crude protein, ether extract, and crude ash was 0.81 to 1.24, 0.17 to 0.35 and 0.07 to 0.09%, respectively. In mineral composition, the ranges of Ca, P, Na and Mg was 14.01 to 15.77, 11.45 to 16.40, 37.92 to 49.99 and 0.26 to 0.46ppm, respectively. Chemical composition were not apparently different but mineral composition was increased in clay mineral groups than in control. Income by treatments was 967,096 to 1,524,055 Won per head for 540 days and income of clay mineral groups in comparison with control’s increased by 23.7 to 57.6 percent, and especially it was higher in bentonite and(or) Illite groups than others. According to the above results it may be concluded that clay mineral to growing-fattening Hanwoo steers can be improved the meat quantity, meat quality and income. Especially the effect of bentonite and illite is large and can be recommended for usage to improve animal performance as feed additives of growing-fattening Hanwoo steers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.20 no.12
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• pp.1909-1916
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• 2007

This study compared the growth performance and carcass evaluation of Jeju native cattle (JNC) and its crossbreds (CBK = 25 JNC:50 Charolais:25 Brahman and BCBK = 62.5 JNC:25 Charolais:12.5 Brahman). Eight male calves of each JNC, CBK and BCBK were weaned at 4 month of age and were fed for 24 months of age. All animals grazed a pasture between 5 to 10 months of age then they were fed growing ration at the rate of 1.5% of their BW along with ad libitum supply of Italian ryegrass hay between 11 to 16 months of age and thereafter switched to ad libitum feeding of finishing ration and hay between 17 to 24 months of age. Mean body weight (BW) and BW gain were higher in CBK compared with BCBK and JNC at 4, 10, 16 and 24 months of age. Average daily BW gain during 4 to 10 months of age was the highest for CBK followed by BCBK and JNC. However, daily BW gain was higher in BCBK than in CBK and JNC during 11 and 16 months of age. During fattening period (17 to 24 months) average daily BW gain was higher in JNC than in CBK and BCBK. Slaughter weight, hot and cold carcass weight were higher in CBK compared with JNC and BCBK. Weight of bones, boneless meat, ribs, excluded rib meat, retailed cut meat, tender loin, sir loin, strip loin, sticking, top round, bottom round, fore leg, shank, and thin-flank were higher in CBK than in BCBK and JNC. Fat weight in these carcass cuts and kidney fat was similar in JNC and its crossbreds. Logissimus dorsi and its ratio were higher in CBK compared with BCBK and JNC. Percent moisture, crude protein, and ash contents of beef were similar in JNC and its crossbreds. Percent beef fat was higher in JNC and BCBK than in CBK. Cooking loss and water holding capacity of beef was similar in JNC and its crossbreds. Sheer force was lower in BCBK compared with JNC and CBK. Juiciness, tenderness and flavor of beef were higher in BCBK compared with JNC and CBK. In conclusion, CBK has shown higher growth rate and produced heavier carcasses with good degree of fatness compared with JNC and BCBK. However, fattening for longer period could increase the maintenance cost in CBK and BCBK because of their higher BW which they attained during growing period.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.409-420
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• 2003

This experiment was carried out to investigate effects of fermented feedstuff added Saccharomyces cerevisiae(FFSC) on growth performance and carcass grade of growing Hanwoo bulls. Twenty six Hanwoo bulls averaging 230$\pm$24kg were randomly assigned within two dietary treatments which were control and FFSC. Average daily gain and feed intake were significantly higher in FFSC compared with control during growing, fattening and finishing period. Feed conversion was improved in FFSC compared with control during fattening and finishing period. During the whole experimental period, average daily gains were 1.06 and 0.98kg in FFSC and control, respectively, and it indicated that 19% was improved in FFSC compared with control(P<0.05). Feed intake was not significantly different between treatments during whole experimental period. In addition, feed conversion was not significantly different between treatments, there was a tendency to be beneficially increased about 7% in FFSC compared with control. There was no differences on yield traits including carcass weight, dressing, back fat thickness, rib-eye area and meat production between treatments. Marbling score was improved in FFSC compared with control(P<0.05). Appearances of ‘A’ ranked meat quantity were 44.4 and 25.0% in FFSC and control, respectively. Only FFSC had ‘1’ ranked appearance, but there was no ‘1’ ranked appearance in the control.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.54 no.2
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• pp.111-124
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• 2012

Feeding trial was conducted with 80 Hanwoo steers (7.5 months of age, 204.4 kg body weight) for 680 days from growing period to late fattening period to examine the feeding value of whole crop barley silage TMR (BS-TMR) and whole crop rye silage TMR (RS-TMR) on body gain, feed cost, slaughter characteristics and quality characteristics of $longissimus$ $dorsi$ muscle. Dietary treatments were conventional separate feeding of concentrate and rice straw (control), feeding BS TMR up to middle fattening period and same diet as for control during late fattening period (BS-TMR I), feeding BS-TMR for whole experimental period (BS-TMR II), feeding RS TMR up to middle fattening period and same diet as for control during late fattening period (RS-TMR I) and RS TMR for whole experimental period (RS-TMR II). Sixteen castrated calves were assigned to each treatment (4 pens, 4 heads per pen). Pens in each treatment were randomly distributed. Feeding both BS silage TMR and RS silage TMR slightly increased body gain of Hanwoo steers at the stages of growing and early fattening, and increased (P<0.0001) at middle fattening compared to feeding control diet while control diet tended to increase body gain at late fattening stage compared to feeding BS-TMR I, BS-TMR II and RS-TMR I diets. Total body gain was slightly increased in Hanwoo steers fed both I and II for BS and RS TMR compared to that in control diet. Feed cost per kg gain per head was relatively low in the Hanwoo steers fed silage TMRs to that fed control diet. Carcass weight, back fat thickness and $longissimus$ $dorsi$ area of Hanwoo steers tended to increase but lowered (P<0.047) yield index by feeding silage TMRs. Feeding BS TMR slightly decreased marbling score but no difference was found in the number of head over grade 1 between diets. Control diet tended to improve yield grade compared to silage TMRs. Chemical composition, water holding capacity, drip loss, cooking loss and pH, color and fatty acid composition of $longissimus$ $dorsi$ were not affected by experimental diets and feeding duration of silage TMRs. Shear force, however, was increased (P<0.046) by silage TMRs without difference between them compared to control diet. Based on the results of the current study, BS TMR and RS TMR could improve body gain and reduce feed cost without deteriorating meat quality compared to separate feeding of concentrate and rice straw. Overall feeding value was similar between BS TMR and RS TMR.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.989-998
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• 2004

The objectives of this work was to investigate the effects of feeding type of concentrates during growing period and slaughter age on growth performance, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics in growing-fattening Holstein steers. Treatments were two concentrates feeding types(ad libitum or restricted 1.9% of BW) and three slaughter ages(at 19, 22 or 25 mo). Body weight at slaughter was numerically higher(approx. 8.3%) for the restricted than the ad libitum feeding groups. TDN intake rate was higher(8.4%) for the restricted than the ad libitum feeding groups. One mo slaughter delay increased TDN intake by 4%. Despite the lack of significances, higher back fat thickness and rib-eye area appeared in the restricted feeding or the late slaughter groups compared with the ad libitum feeding or the early slaughter groups. Marbling score(mean 2.46) numerically increased when the steers were restrictively fed concentrates compared with the ad libitum feeding groups. In addition, significant increases in the marbling score were associated with the slaughter age delay. In economic analysis, increases in total income were associated with the restricted feeding and the slaughter age delay. Whereas the highest monthly income appeared in the restricted feeding-and-slaughter at 22 mo group. In conclusion, the optimal feeding system may be 1) the restricted concentrates feeding(1.9% of BW) during growing period and 2) the late slaughter age(22${\sim}$25 mo of age) in growing-fattening Holstein steers fed rice straw.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.267-272
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• 2021

This experiment was conducted to the purpose of evaluating the effect of feeding on Korean Native Cattle to expand the production and utilization of whole crop rice (WCR). TMR (Total mixed ration) feed was prepared by using WCR produced in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do, and the growth capacity and meat quality characteristics of 16 Korean Native Cattle raised up to 29 months of age were investigated. The produced WCR silage for feed had a moisture content of 64.02% and a crude protein content of 7.54%, and was blended with about 45% during the growing season, and lowered to 35, 15 and 9%, respectively, in the fattening period (early, middle and late stages). The body weight of the WCR-TMR feeding group was significantly higher than that of the control in the middle and late fattening stage, and at the end (29 months of age), the control group was 631 kg/head, but the WCR-TMR feeding group was 647 kg/head, which was higher. The average daily gain was significantly higher in the WCR-TMR feeding group in the growing and early fattening period, and there was no difference in the mid- and late fattening period. In the whole period, 0.71 vs 0.75 kg/head/day, WCR-TMR feeding group was high. In terms of meat quantity, the back fat thickness of the control group (11.7 mm) was significantly thicker than that of the WCR-TMR fed group (9.3 mm) (P<0.05). There was no difference in Rib eye area, Carcass weight and Meat yield index (P>0.05). In terms of meat quality, the Marbling score was higher in the WCR-TMR feeding group (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in Meat color, Fat color, Texture and Maturity. Considering the above results, TMR feeding mainly on whole crop rice silage for feed improved the productivity of livestock, but there was no significant difference in meat quality. Therefore, it is judged that it is necessary to produce and use the whole crop rice for feed in countries with poor forage conditions.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.62 no.6
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• pp.33-42
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• 2020

Emission factors for ammonia and particulate matters (PMs) from livestock buildings are of increasing importance in view of the environmental protection. While the existing emission factors were determined based on the emission inventory of other countries, in situ measurement of emission factors is required to construct an accurate emission inventory for Korea. This study is to report measurements of ammonia and PMs emissions from mechanically-ventilated pig houses, which are common types of pig barns in Korea. Ventilation rates and concentrations of ammonia and PMs were measured at the ventilation outlets of a weaner unit, a growing pig unit and a fattening pig unit to calculated the emission factors. The PMs emission was characterized with different aerodynamic diameters (PM_2.5, PM₁₀, and total suspended particulates (TSP)). The measured ammonia emission factors for weaners, growing pigs and fattening pigs were 0.225, 0.869 and 1.679 kg animal^-1 yr^-1, respectively, showing linear increase with pigs' age. The PMs emission factors for three growing stages were 0.023, 0.237 and 0.241 kg animal^-1 yr^-1, respectively for TSP, 0.017, 0.072 and 0.223 kg animal^-1 yr^-1, respectively for PM₁₀, and 0.011, 0.016 and 0.151 kg animal^-1 yr^-1, respectively for PM_2.5. PMs emissions were increased with pigs' age due to increasing feed supply and animal movement. The measured emission factors were smaller than those of the existing emission inventory indicating that the existing ones overestimate the emissions from pig buildings and also suggesting that long-term in situ monitoring at various livestock buildings is required to construct the accurate emission inventory.