• Animal Bioscience
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• v.37 no.4_spc
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• pp.755-774
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• 2024

The main objective of this study was to present data on the current situation and future trends of pig meat production in the European Union-27 (EU). Pig production has played an important social and economic role for centuries in many states of the EU. In 2022, pig meat production in the EU reached 23 M tons, which represented 21% of total production worldwide. The two key reasons that justify such amount of pork produced, are the acceptance and high consumption of the meat by the local population and the high quality of the meat produced which facilitated pork export. However, current data show a reduction in pork production for the last three years, as a consequence of a series of events that include i) problems with the chain of ingredients supply, ii) uncontrolled increase in African Swine Fever (ASF) outbreaks, iii) fast recovery of pig production in China, iv) increasing concerns by the rural population on the high cost to meet future requirements of the EU legislation on farm management, environmental sustainability and animal welfare, v) increased cost of all inputs involved in pig production and vi) limited interest of the new farmer generation to work on the pig sector. Consequently, pork production is expected to decrease in the EU for the next years, although sales will be maintained at a relative high level because pork is the meat preferred by local consumers in most EU countries. In order to maintain the favourable position of the pork industry in the near future, strategies to implement include: i) maintain the quality of the meat destinated to export markets, ii) improve the control of outbreaks of ASF and other swine diseases, iii) implementation of technological innovations to improve working conditions making more attractive to work in the pork sector of the food chain to the new generation of farmers and workers.

• Korean Journal of Poultry Science
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.313-325
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• 2019

In most cases of HPAI (highly pathogenic avian influenza) outbreaks, stamping-out operations are initiated by officially designating the affected premise, which is subsequently followed by depopulation of infected flocks. The primary objective of this study was to develop an evaluation method that correlates the level of biosecurity and the risk of having an HPAI outbreak in domestic poultry farms. A total of eight farms were selected nationwide, including layer farms, broiler farms, and an animal welfare type farm. The biosecurity level of the chosen poultry farms was assessed based on a total scoring index of 183 divided into three categories, general management (51), quarantine management (106), and sanitation management (26). Conclusively, the five layer farms (JS, GE, CS, HS, OE), scored higher overall scores compared to the animal welfare farm (CH) and broiler farms (JG, LB). In terms of scoring, which adds up to a total of 183 points, most layer farms scored between 130 and 157, while the two broiler farms and the welfare farm scored 45, 75 and 70, respectively. Next, an independent HPAI risk assessment of the farms was carried out. Regarding the correlation between biosecurity levels and HPAI risks, in the farms that presented a higher overall score in terms of biosecurity and outweighed the risks of HPAI, they tended to earn more points in the quarantine management category. The results of this study suggest that a viable system for evaluating biosecurity levels can establish strong correlations with the risk of having HPAI.

• Journal of Animal Environmental Science
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.37-50
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of on-farm management systems(including the farm size, stocking density of growing-finishing phase, proportion of finisher diet and type of growing-finishing building) and pre-slaughter handling(including the transportation time and loading time) on carcass grade, the incidence of PSE pork, the meat quality score for intra-muscle fat, inter-muscle fat, subcutaneous fat and score for elasticity of market pigs. For this study, 248,787 pigs of 53 different farms were used to establish the pork quality assurance program and to meet the comsumer's need. The results are summarized as follows. 1. The farm size had significant influence on carcass grade, in which showing the higher grade by increasing the farm size. However, the incidence of PSE pork were not significantly differences among the farm size. The meat quality score for intra-muscle fat, inter-muscle fat, subcutaneous fat and score for elasticity of market pigs were not significant influenced by farm size. 2. The stocking density of growing-finishing phase was statistically significant for carcass grade, in which showing the higher grade in mid density group. However, the incidence of PSE pork was higher in high density group. The meat quality score for intra-muscle fat, inter-muscle fat and elasticity of market pigs were greater in mid density groups, but not influenced by stocking density for subcutaneous fat score. 3. The carcass grade and the incidence of PSE pork were not significantly influenced by transportation time. However, transportation time significantly affected the meat quality score, the meat quality score for intra-muscle fat, inter-muscle fat, subcutaneous fat and elasticity of the carcasses were superior in more than 1 hour transportation groups. 4. At any time loading, the carcass grade and PSE incidence were not significantly differences. However, the meat quality score for intra-muscle fat, inter-muscle fat and elasticity of market pigs were superior in before 10 AM groups, but not influenced by loading time for subcutaneous fat score. 5. The proportion of finisher diet had not significant influence on carcass grade, but PSE incidence affected by proportion of finisher diet, 21 percent or more group was higher PSE incidence. The meat quality score for intra-muscle fat and inter-muscle fat of the carcasses were superior in 21 percent or more fed finisher diet groups, but elasticity score of carcass had not influenced by the proportion of finisher diet. 6. The type of growing-finishing building was affected the carcass grade and PSE incidence of the market pigs, carcass grade and PSE incidence were superior in enclosed mechanical ventilation building groups. The meat quality score for intra-muscle fat and inter-muscle fat of the carcasses were not significantly differences by the type of finishing building, but the score of subcutaneous fat and elasticity of carcass were superior in opened natural ventilation building groups. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that we have more precise on-farm management practice and the knowledge related to pre-slaughter handling skills to reduce the stress and improve the status of welfare of market pigs.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Agricultural Engineers
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• v.64 no.6
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• pp.87-99
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• 2022

The meat consumption per person has continuously increased in recent years. However, the labor force in the domestic livestock industry has decreased due to the declining and ageing population. In order to increase productivity, the government have developed and distributed design standard of livestock houses. Presently, report showed that the adaptation rate of the developed livestock house design standard on the real farm was still low. Thus, this paper aimed to find ways to improve the utilization of the design standard through surveys. The survey was conducted on 650 farms across the country. Analysis of the result showed that in the poultry house, the unawareness of farmers to the design standard was found to be the biggest reason for not using the design standards. On the other hand, in the swine house, the previously built swine houses do not fit with the design standard. From these result, the following recommendations were suggested: 1) promotion and education are needed to enhance usage of design standard; 2) since it is impossible to make a design standard considering all the farm sites, it is important to consider the conditions of various farm site prior to enhancement of the design standard; 3) improvement factors such as reinforcing the ventilation design, reflecting animal welfare, preventing livestock diseases, and enhancing ICT devices can also be promoted.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.1-11
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• 2019

This study conducted a survey on the recognition and demand such as recognition level, policy necessity, service demand and policy demand by supply types in order to provide the basic data for successful settlement of agro-healing services. According to the survey on awareness, 45.2% of respondents were aware of the healing farming, and 31.3% of respondents had experience in participating in the agro-healing services. 63.6% of respondents replied that they were experiencing reasons for participating in agro-healing services. Respondents who had no knowledge of agro-healing services responded that 76.7% of respondents said they would not participate. More than two-thirds of respondents in all types indicated that they needed agro-healing services. As a result of evaluating the maximum willingness to pay, there was a willingness to pay for farm work healing about 15,800 won, horticulture healing about 14,800 won, forest healing about 13,400 won, and animal assisted healing about 17,000 won. Improving accessibility and strengthening awareness were high priorities for inconveniences and improvements. 70.1% of the respondents said that policies for agro-healing services are needed. Development of agro-healing programs and contents was the first priority for support policy. The result of this study is expected to provide reference data that can be suggested for agro-healing policy establishment.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1486-1494
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• 2017

Objective: This research analyzed behavioral characteristics of Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) steers during each season and growth stage to enable measurement of the animals' welfare level for precision livestock farming. Methods: A hundred-eight beef steers were divided into three equal groups at a Hanwoo farm according to their growth stage: growing stage (GS), 8 months; early-fattening stage (EFS), 19 months; and late-fattening stage (LFS), 30 months. Twelve behavioral categories were continuously recorded for 13 day-time hours in each four seasons with three replications. Results: Time spent standing was found to be significantly longer in summer at all growth stages (p<0.05). Hanwoos at the GS spent significantly longer standing time in spring and summer than those at the EFS and LFS (p<0.05). Lying time in summer was the shortest for all growth stages (p<0.05). Steers at the LFS spent significantly longer lying time than that at the GS (p<0.05) in summer. For GS and EFS, time spent eating in spring and autumn were longer than in summer and winter (p<0.05). Eating time was the longest for the GS in spring, autumn, and winter, excluding for the LFS in winter (p<0.05). Regarding ruminating, steers at the LFS spent significantly shorter time than those at other stages in all seasons (p<0.05). GS and EFS steers showed the longest walking time in summer compared with other seasons (p<0.05). At GS and LFS, drinking time in summer was the longest of all seasons (p<0.05). Sleeping time was significantly shorter in summer compared with the other seasons (p<0.05). Self-grooming time was the longest in winter for all growth stages (p<0.05). Conclusion: Steers were found to have more variable behavioral patterns during summer and the GS and less active behaviors during the LFS, thus extra care seems necessary during the GS, LFS, and summer period.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.282-289
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• 2017

Animal Welfare is spreading throughout the world, but remains weak in Korean swine farms. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the effect of floor type and hanging type environmental enrichment on the behavior of growing pigs under the traditional feeding environment. A total of 45 crossbred pigs (Yorkshire${\times}$Landrace${\times}$Duroc; average weight, $33.35{\pm}5.5kg$) were assigned into three treatments consisting of control, hanging type(T1) and floor type(T2) with three replicates in semi-slurry pen. The hanging enrichment was suspended at shoulder height of the pigs, and the floor enrichment was fixed in the center of the pens. Growth and cortisol were estimated at the end of the experimental period. Behaviour patterns were analyzed on the first and eighth days after starting the experiment. Growth was not differed among control and treatments. However, cortisol was decreased in T2 compared to control(25.28 vs. 46.75 ng/mL; p<0.05). On the first day, movement and aggression were lower in both treatments than in control(p<0.01). On the eighth day, time and frequency of playing action were increased in T2 compared to T1(p<0.01) and both treatment groups showed more active behaviour than control(p<0.01). These results suggested that the enrichment may meet the natural action requirement of pigs. Therefore, our data can be utilized as basic information for welfare with environmental enrichments in farm animals.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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• v.64 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2022

Equilume light masks had no impact on hastening the resumption of estrous cyclicity in mares maintained in outdoor pastures on the mainland of Korea due to the cold weather conditions. Jeju Island is a major horse-breeding site in Korea and is warmer than the mainland during the winter season. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to explore the efficiency of the Equilume light mask on the resumption of seasonal estrous cycles in Thoroughbred mares on Jeju Island. A total of 20 nonpregnant mares were randomly divided into the Equilume light mask (n = 9) and stable lighting (n =11) groups. The experiment was performed at seven different horse-breeding farms located on Jeju Island from November 15, 2020, to February 15, 2021. The mares were exposed to the respective lights from 16:00 to 23:00. Follicle size and uterine edema were measured by ultrasound scanning. Body condition scores (BCS) were also monitored during the experiment. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SAS and SPSS software, and p-values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Two of the nine (22.2%) mares in the Equilume light mask group and three of the 11 (27.28%) mares in the stable lighting group were still cycling in December and January, which were considered as all-year-round cycling mares. On February 15, there was no difference between groups in the resumption of early seasonal estrus cycle, which was determined by follicles > 25 mm in addition to uterine edema. All mares in the Equilume light mask group and five of the eight mares (62.5%) in the stable lighting group had resumed cycling. Interestingly, six of the seven mares (87.5%) in the Equilume light mask and four of eight mares (50%) in the stable lighting group had already ovulated on February 15 (p > 0.05), as determined by the presence of a recent corpus luteum. No difference was observed in BCS and uterine edema between groups (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the Equilume light mask can be an effective approach to induce early seasonal estrus cycles of mares in Jeju Island, and it also enhances the efficiency of farm management by reducing labor.

• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.29-35
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• 2009

To focus attention on milk and dairy products, we celebrate World Milk Day on the first day of June. Milk is a primary source of essential nutrients for newborn mammals, including humans. Milk and its by-products have been integral to human life since domestication of the dairy cow. Even though a large portion of the population is lactase impersistent, consumption of dairy products, including liquid milk, has been increasing over the last decade in Korea. Per capita annual consumption of dairy products in Korea increased to 61.3 kg in 2008, up from 49.4 kg in 1998. However, consumption of liquid milk has only increased marginally from 30.3 kg in 1998 to 35 kg in 2008. In 2007, the price of farm milk in Korea was the highest in the world. High dairy prices are forcing major manufacturers to find alternative, less expensive sources of milk, which has led to an increase in imported dairy products. Recently, the International Dairy Federation (IDF) published a special report containing the figures for world milk production, milk processing, and consumption. Understanding the current situation with regard to world diary production and the outlook for the industry could be useful during the present world economic crisis. The authors of this brief review summarize the status of dairy production in countries throughout the world, including Korea, along with some of the data published in the IDF annual report. The authors greatly appreciate the support of IDF Korea and the IDF for generously providing the data used in this paper.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.60 no.4
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• pp.289-293
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• 2022

Blastocystis is a genus of unicellular heterokont parasites belonging to a group of organisms known as Stramenopiles, which includes algae, diatoms, and water molds. Blastocystis includes several species that habitat in the gastrointestinal tracts of organisms as diverse as humans, farm animals, birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and cockroaches. It is important to public health and distributed globally, but its prevalence in dogs in Korea has not been reported to date. Here, we collected 787 canine fecal samples and assessed Blastocystis infection by age, sex, region, season, and diarrhea symptoms. We determined Blastocystis subtypes using phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rRNA gene sequences. We identified, 10 Blastocystis positive samples (1.3%). A higher proportion of infected dogs was asymptomatic; however, infection rates did not significantly differ according to region, age, sex, and season. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Blastocystis sp. identified belonged to 4 subtypes (STs), ST1, ST5, ST10, and ST14, thus revealed the genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in dogs Korean. This is first report on the presence of Blastocystis sp. in dogs Korean. This study revealed a lower infection rate than expected and differed from previous studies in STs. Further studies are warranted to observe the national infection status of Blastocystis in dogs and the genetic characteristics of this genus.