논문 상세보기
pp.157-163
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of the slaughtering age on carcass characteristics and economic efficiency of Holstein steers. The Holstein steers (n=27, 4 months old, average body weight 160 ㎏) were divided into 3 groups and raised with TMR feeding formulation until 18, 20 and 22 months old, respectively. In the result, final body weights were 703, 768 and 804 ㎏, and average daily gains were 1.32, 1.32 and 1.27 ㎏, respectively. Dry matter intakes (DMI) were 8.62, 8.94 and 9.24 ㎏. Feed conversion ratio was 6.53, 6.77 and 7.28 for 18, 20 and 22 months old groups. Feed conversion ratio was increased as the fattening periods increased. In yield traits, carcass weight was significantly lower in 18 months old group compared to other groups (p<0.05). The back fat thickness were 8.4, 7.3 and 7.8 ㎜, rib eye area were 70.6, 73.4 and 73.84 ㎠, and the meat yield index was 62.9, 62.5 and 62.1 when slaughtered at 18, 20 and 22 months old, respectively. In the frequency of the yield grade (A:B:C, %), grade B was highest at 20 months old group as 0:75:25. In the quality traits, marbling score, texture and maturity were not different among slaughtering age groups. However, marbling score tended to be increased at 22 months old group. Meat color and fat color were higher at 22 months old group compare to other groups (p<0.05). In the frequency of the quality grade (1+:1:2:3,%), 22 months-old group was the greatest as 12:0:50:38. The income was highest for 20 months old group as 279 thousand wons among the 3 groups. Therefore, the slaughtering ages of Holstein steers may be appropriate at 20 months old.
