• Journal of The Korean Society of Grassland and Forage Science
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.85-91
• /
• 1988

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effects of shading degrees (0: full sunlight, 25, 50 and 75%) on the proximate components, cell wall constituents (CWC), digestibility, water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and nitrate nitrogen ($NO_3$-N) concentration of grasses grown in forest. For the test different artificial shading houses were established and pasture species used were orchardgrass, timothy, perennial ryegrass and ladino clover. The experiment was performed at LES in Suwon. 1985. 1. Considering proximate components, CWC and digestibility of grasses, ladino clover showed the best quality, and then perennial ryegrass. 2. The contents of crude protein, crude ash, and digestibility of grasses were increased with shading, regardless of pasture species. As the shading degrees are increased, the contents of crude fiber in orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass and timothy were decreased, while that in ladino clover was increased with shading. 3. Grasses grown in spring showed higher digestibility than those grown in summer season. 4. The content of WSC was the highest in perennial ryegrass, and then ladino clover, orchardgrass, and timothy, in that order. Also WSC was decreased as the shading degrees are increased. 5.The content of $NO_3$-N was the highest in perennial ryegrass, and then orchardgrass, ladino clover and timothy, in that order. Also the $NO_3$-N was significantly increased with higher shading level. In the regression equation between shading degrees and $NO_3$-N ($r^2$=0.90**, TEX>$r^2$=0.95**), shading degree of 43 to 44% was critical level, causing nitrate poisoning to animal. 6 Considering grass quality, dry matter yield and $NO_3$-N, less than 40% of shading degree (over 60% of full sunlight) was desirable for better grassland improvement, management and utilization in the forest.

• Journal of Animal Science and Technology
• /
• v.47 no.6
• /
• pp.1081-1086
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of mixture types which consist of different species on the dry matter(DM) yield, botanical composition and forage quality. The experimental design includes three mixture types: Conventional mixtures(orchardgrass 50% + tall fescue 20% + perennial ryegrass 10% + Kentucky bluegrass 10% + white clover 10%), complex mixtures(orchardgrass 40% + tall fescue 20% + perennial ryegrass 10% + Kentucky bluegrass 10% + redtop 10% + alfalfa 5% + red clover 5%) and simple mixtures(orchardgrass 80% + red clover 20%). The DM yield was higher in conventional mixtures(13,070kg/ha) than in other mixtures(p<0.05). In the chemical composition and dry matter digestibility, there was significant difference among mixtures. Crude protein content and dry matter digestibility were higher in complex mixtures than in other mixtures(p<0.05). But, the content of fibrous constituents was higher in conventional mixtures than in other mixtures. The yield of crude protein dry matter(CPDM) and digestible dry matter(DDM) were higher in complex mixtures than in other mixtures. In this experiment, DM yields and quality of mixture types were observed significant difference. therefore, the complex mixtures which combined various species were more effective in enhancing the dry matter digestibility(DMD) and digestible dry matter(DDM) yield.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.151-156
• /
• 2013

Hanwoo (Also known as Korean native cattle; Bos taurus coreanae) have been used for transportation and farming for a long time in South Korea. It has been about 30 yrs since Hanwoo improvement began in earnest as beef cattle for meat yield. The purpose of this study was to determine the trend of improvement as well as to estimate genetic parameters of the traits being used for seedstock selection based on the data collected from the past. Hanwoo proven bulls in South Korea are currently selected through performance and progeny tests. National Hanwoo genetic evaluations are implemented with yearling weight (YW), carcass weight (CW), eye muscle area (EMA), backfat thickness (BF) and marbling score (MS). Yearling weights and MS are used for selecting young bulls, and EMA, BF, and MS are used for selecting proven bulls. One individual per testing room was used for performance tests, and five individuals per room for progeny tests. Individuals tested were not allowed to graze pasture, but there was enough space for them to move around in the testing room. Feeds including roughages and minerals were fed ad libitum, and concentrates were provided at the rate of about 1.8% of individual weight. Overall means of the traits were $352.8{\pm}38.56$ kg, $335.09{\pm}44.61$ kg, $77.85{\pm}8.838\;cm^2$, $8.6{\pm}3.7$ mm and $3.293{\pm}1.648$ for YW, CW, EMA, BF and MS. Heritabilities estimated in this study were 0.30, 0.30, 0.42, 0.50 and 0.63 in YW, CW, EMA, BF and MS, respectively, which are similar to results from previous research. Yearling weight was 315.54 kg in 1998, and had increased to 355.06 kg in 2011, resulting in about 40 kg of improvement over 13 yrs. YW and CW have improved remarkably over the past 15 yrs. Breeding values between 1996 and 2000 decreased or did not change much, but have moved in a desirable direction since 2001. These improvements correspond with the substantial increase in use of animal models since the late 1990s in Korea. Hanwoo testing programs have practically contributed to the improvement in aspects of quality and quantity. In sum, the current selection system is good enough to accommodate circumstances where fewer sires are used on many more cows. Although progeny tests take longer and cost more, they seem to be appropriate under the circumstances of the domestic market with its higher requirement for better meat quality. Consequently, accumulative data collection, genetic evaluation model development, revision of selection indices, as well as cooperation among farms, associations, National Agricultural Cooperative Federation, universities, research institutes, and government agencies must be applied to the Hanwoo selection program. All these efforts will assist the domestic market to secure a competitive position against imported beef under Free Trade Agreement trade system and will provide farmers with higher profits as well as the public with a higher quality of beef.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.14 no.5
• /
• pp.720-732
• /
• 2001

Skeletal muscle is of major economic importance since it is finally converted to meat for consumers. The increase in meat production with low costs of production may be achieved by optimizing muscle growth, whereas a high meat quality requires, among other factors, the optimization of intramuscular glycogen and fat stores. Thus, research in energy metabolism aims at controling muscle metabolism, but also liver and adipose tissue metabolism in order to optimize energy partitioning in favour of muscles. Liver is characterized by high anabolic and catabolic rates. Metabolic enzymes are regulated by nutrients through short-term regulation of their activities and long-term regulation of expression of their genes. Consequences of liver metabolic regulation on energy supply to muscles may affect protein deposition (and hence growth) as well as intramuscular energy stores. Adipose tissues are important body reserves of triglycerides, which result from the balance between lipogenesis and lipolysis. Both processes depend on the feeding level and on the nature of nutrients, which indirectly affect energy delivery to muscles. In muscles, the regulation of rate-limiting nutrient transporters, of metabolic enzyme activities and of ATP production, as well as the interactions between nutrients affect free energy availability for muscle growth and modify muscle metabolic characteristics which determine meat quality. The growth of tissues and organs, the number and the characteristics of muscle fibers depend, for a great part, on early events during the fetal life. They include variations in quantitative and qualitative nutrient supply to the fetus, and hence in maternal nutrition. During the postnatal life, muscle growth and characteristics are affected by the age and the genetic type of the animals, the feeding level and the diet composition. The latter determines the nature of available nutrients and the rate of nutrient delivery to tissues, thereby regulating metabolism. Physical activity at pasture also favours the orientation of muscle metabolism, towards the oxidative type. Consequently, breeding systems may be of a great importance during the postnatal life. Research is now directed towards the determination of individual tissue and organ energy requirements, a better knowledge of nutrient partitioning between and within organs and tissues. The discovery of new molecules (e. g. leptin), of new molecular mechanisms and of more powerful techniques (DNA chips) will help to achieve these objectives. The integration of the different levels of knowledge will finally allow scientists to formulate new types of diets adapted to sustain a production of high quality meat with lower costs of production.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.32 no.9
• /
• pp.1475-1481
• /
• 2019

Objective: The objective of the present study was to investigate pork quality from Hereford${\times}$Berkshire female and intact male pigs reared outdoors in an alternative production system. Methods: Berkshire purebred sows were artificially inseminated, once in the fall and again in the spring of the following year, with semen from Hereford boars and managed free of antibiotics in an outdoor hoop structure until the last month of pregnancy, after which they were moved to a pasture-based unit of 0.8 hectares with individual lots with a farrowing hut, shade, and water ad libitum. Piglets were weaned at 4 weeks of age and housed in a deep-bedded hoop structure, grouped by sex. Animals were harvested at market weight of 125 kg, approximately 200 days of age. Hot carcass weight was collected at the time of the harvest. After 24 hours of refrigeration, carcass characteristics were measured. Longissimus dorsi samples collected from the right side loin. Loins were cut into 2.54-cm thick chops and were used to measure marbling score, color score, drip loss, and ultimate pH. Sensory panel tests were conducted as well at North Carolina State University. For pork characteristics and sensory panel data, trial and sex were included in the statistical model as fixed effects. Hot carcass weight was included in the model as a covariate for backfat thickness. Results: Neither the subjective nor the objective color scores displayed any differences between the boars and the gilts. No difference was found for pH and marbling score between trials or sexes. Gilts had a thicker backfat measurement at the last lumbar and a narrower longissimus muscle area measurement when compared to the boars. The only difference in the sensory characteristics was found between the trials for texture and moisture scores. Conclusion: Consumers were not able to detect boar taint under the condition of this study, which is that the intact males were reared outdoors. Additional trials would be necessary; however, based on the results of the present study, outdoor rearing can be suggested as a solution to the issue of boar taint.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.22 no.12
• /
• pp.1718-1734
• /
• 2009

The aim of this review is to address some characteristics that influence meat quality. Genetic groups, nutrition, finishing systems and gender are the major factors that change carcass characteristics, chemical composition and fatty acid profile. Genetic groups that have zebu genes in their composition show higher hot carcass dressing than genetic groups without zebu genes. Genetic groups that have European breeds in their composition have higher marbling scores. On the other hand, genetic groups that have zebu breeds show low marbling scores. Bulls finished in feedlots present higher final weight than steers, cull cows and heifers. Fat thickness is one of the principal parameters that are affected by different gender. Cull cows (4.72 mm) and heifers (4.00 mm) present higher values than bulls (1.75 mm) and steers (2.81 mm). The major effects observed by different systems of termination are fat thickness and marbling. Crude protein presents variation due to nutrition. Nutrition influences variation of fatty acid profile. Genetic groups also influence fatty acid profile. Genetic groups that have zebu genes in their composition show high percentage of PUFA. The major class of fatty acids that is changed with nutrition is PUFA. The better ratios of PUFA/SFA and n-6/n-3 are found in Longissimus muscle of animals finished in pasture systems.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.30 no.9
• /
• pp.1207-1214
• /
• 2017

Since the industrialization of swine production in the late 1900s, swine farms in the United States, as well as in Europe, have largely become consolidated. Pig farms became larger in size but fewer in number, with 91% of market pigs being produced by large operations with 5,000 or more pigs on-site in the US, and only 3% of the total utilized agricultural land representing organic farming. Such change in the market made it difficult for small farmers to stay competitive, forcing them to find alternative ways to reduce the cost of production and increase profit using the outdoor production system. In contrast to the indoor confinement system, outdoor production system uses pasture-based units and/or deep-bedded hoop structures that promote animal welfare and environmental sustainability with a lower capital investment. In accord with the growing concern for animal and environmental welfare and food safety by the consumers, small farmers practicing an outdoor production system are seeing increased opportunities for marketing their products in the pork niche market. Unlike the general belief that the reproductive and growth performance measures of the outdoor sows and piglets are poorer in comparison with the animals reared indoors, studies showed that there was no significant difference in the performance measures, and some traits were even better in outdoor animals. Improved reproductive and production traits can increase the sustainability of outdoor farming. Present study reviewed the recent studies comparing the performance measures, meat quality and health of indoor and outdoor animals, as well as the efforts to improve the outdoor production system through changes in management such as hut types and breed of animals.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.31 no.7
• /
• pp.1017-1035
• /
• 2018

The European Union (EU) is the world's third largest producer of beef. This contributes to the economy, rural development, social life, culture and gastronomy of Europe. The diversity of breeds, animal types (cows, bulls, steers, heifers) and farming systems (intensive, extensive on permanent or temporary pastures, mixed, breeders, feeders, etc) is a strength, and a weakness as the industry is often fragmented and poorly connected. There are also societal concerns regarding animal welfare and environmental issues, despite some positive environmental impacts of farming systems. The EU is amongst the most efficient for beef production as demonstrated by a relative low production of greenhouse gases. Due to regional differences in terms of climate, pasture availability, livestock practices and farms characteristics, productivity and incomes of beef producers vary widely across regions, being among the lowest of the agricultural systems. The beef industry is facing unprecedented challenges related to animal welfare, environmental impact, origin, authenticity, nutritional benefits and eating quality of beef. These may affect the whole industry, especially its farmers. It is therefore essential to bring the beef industry together to spread best practice and better exploit research to maintain and develop an economically viable and sustainable beef industry. Meeting consumers' expectations may be achieved by a better prediction of beef palatability using a modelling approach, such as in Australia. There is a need for accurate information and dissemination on the benefits and issues of beef for human health and for environmental impact. A better objective description of goods and services derived from livestock farming is also required. Putting into practice "agroecology" and organic farming principles are other potential avenues for the future. Different future scenarios can be written depending on the major driving forces, notably meat consumption, climate change, environmental policies and future organization of the supply chain.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.29-35
• /
• 2014

Purpose - The study aimed to evaluate the market opportunities and constraints confronting resource-poor pig farmers in South Africa. Research design, data, and methodology - Information was collected from 292 households in three municipalities through interviews with key informants. The data collected included socio-economic characteristics, major market channels, prices for different pig classes, average weight of the pigs on sale, number of pigs sold annually, and preferred meat quality attributes. Results - In Ngqushwa, 96% of respondents sold pigs as compared to Elundini (81%) and Ntabankulu (65%). Less resource-poor households and those with market-oriented production had large herdsizes (P < 0.05) when compared to more resource-poor farmers. The probability of selling pigs was high for the backyard production system and educated farmers. For all farmers, opportunities included high pork demand, good prices, employment creation, and a niche market for organically produced indigenous pork. Constraints include disease, feed shortages for large herds, distances to formal markets, lack of training, and drugs. Conclusions - Constraints outnumbered opportunities for the resource-poor pig farmers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.116-123
• /
• 2003

Forages are the most important feed resource for ruminants worldwide, whether fed as pastures, forage crops or conserved hay, silage or haylage. There is large variability in the quality of forages so measurement and prediction of feeding value and nutritive value are essential for high levels of production. Within a commercial animal production system, methods of prediction must be inexpensive and rapid. At least 50% of the variation in feeding value of forages is due to variation in voluntary feed intake. Identification of the factors that constrain voluntary feed intake allows these differences to be managed and exploited in forage selection. Constraints to intake have been predicted using combinations of metabolic and physical factors within the animal while simple measurements such as the energy required to shear the plant material are related to constraints to intake with some plant material. Animals respond to both pre- and post-ingestive feedback signals from forages. Pre-ingestive signals may play a role in intake with signals including taste, odour and texture together with learned aversions to nutrients or toxins (post-ingestive feedback signals). The challenge to forage evaluation is identification of the factors which are most important contributors to these feedback signals. Empirical models incorporating chemical composition are also widely used. The models tend to be useful within the ranges of the datasets used in their development but none can claim to have universal application. Mechanistic models are becoming increasingly complex and sophisticated and incorporate both feed characteristics and use of biochemical pathways within the animal. Improvement in utilisation through the deliberate selection of pasture plants for high feeding value appears to have potential and has been poorly exploited. Use of Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy is a simple method that offers significant potential for the preliminary screening of plants with genetic differences in feeding value. Near Infrared Reflectance Spectroscopy will only be as reliable as the calibration sets from which the equations are generated.