Effects of weaning and castration ages on growth performance, blood metabolites, and carcass characteristics in Hanwoo steers

초록

BackgroundRecently, 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 31months 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.MethodsWeaning ages were calculated at 80 or 130days of age, and castration ages were calculated at 90days and 180days of age. Calves were allocated to one of the four treatment groups: W80C90 (weaning at 80days of age and castration at 90days of age), W80C180, W130C90, and W130C180.ResultsFor 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.ConclusionWeaning 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.

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