Journal of Animal Science and Technology

Korean Society of Animal Sciences and Technology (한국축산학회)
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Effects of weaning and castration ages on growth performance, blood metabolites, and carcass characteristics in Hanwoo steers

  • Lim, Hwan (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Ahn, Jun Sang (Hanwoo Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA) ;
  • Kim, Min Ji (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Son, Gi Hwal (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Park, Joong Kook (Nonghyup Feed Co., LTD) ;
  • Shim, Jae Yoon (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Kim, Il Young (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Kim, Ji Hyung (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Cho, Sung Myoun (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Kwon, Eung Gi (Hanwoo Research Institute, National Institute of Animal Science, RDA) ;
  • Shin, Jong Suh (College of Animal Life Sciences, Kangwon National University) ;
  • Park, Byung Ki (Nonghyup Feed Co., LTD)
  • Received : 2018.09.27
  • Accepted : 2018.11.28
  • Published : 2018.12.31
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Abstract

Background: Recently, as production costs have been increasing owing to rising feed prices worldwide, shortening the age of slaughter has been recognized as a way to increase farm income. In Korea, the raising period for Hanwoo steers is over 31 months with the delay of weaning and castration stated as one of the reasons for the increase in the raising period. Thus far, studies on age of weaning and castration have been conducted individually, and there have been no studies on the combined effects of weaning and castration ages on the growth performance and carcass characteristics in Hanwoo steers. Methods: Weaning ages were calculated at 80 or 130 days of age, and castration ages were calculated at 90 days and 180 days of age. Calves were allocated to one of the four treatment groups: W80C90 (weaning at 80 days of age and castration at 90 days of age), W80C180, W130C90, and W130C180. Results: For the entire experimental period, weaning and castration ages did not significantly affect growth performance of Hanwoo steers. In addition, weaning and castration ages did not affect the overall yield and quality traits of carcass in Hanwoo steers. Conclusion: Weaning and castration ages had small effects on growth performance and carcass characteristics in Hanwoo steers. Therefore, the early weaning and castration ages are recommended to reduce the slaughter age without any negative effects on meat quality grade.

Keywords

References

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