Background: This study focused on reproductive traits in Hanwoo cattle, specifically the environmental factors affecting gestation length and birth weight. Methods: The records of 1,540 cows calved at the Hanwoo Research Institute from 2015 to 2023 were examined. This study analyzed two populations, linebreeding Hanwoo (LBH) and general Hanwoo (GH), with all cows undergoing estrus synchronization and artificial insemination. The R software was used to compare the differences between the two populations and analyze the environmental factors affecting each trait. Results: The results showed that the average gestation length for LBH was 283.28 ± 5.93 days, which was significantly shorter than that of the GH, which had an average of 285.63 ± 6.21 days (p < 0.001). The average birth weight of LBH calves was 25.10 ± 3.69 kg, significantly lighter than GH calves, which weighed 27.26 ± 4.11 kg on average (p < 0.001). Analysis of environmental factors revealed significant differences in the gestation length of LBH based on dam parity, year, and season of calving. However, no significant differences were observed based on calf sex. For LBH, birth weight showed significant differences based on dam parity, year of calving, and sex of the calf, but not the season of calving. In GH, gestation length varied with dam parity and calving season, but not with calving year or calf sex. The GH birth weight showed differences based on dam parity, year of calving, and calf sex, but not the season of calving. Conclusions: Reproductive traits in the Hanwoo cattle industry are economically vital but are heavily influenced by environmental factors due to their low heritability. An accurate evaluation of the genetic potential of these traits requires an analysis of the environmental factors affecting them. The results of this study serve as foundational data for predicting the potential for genetic improvement in the gestation length and birth weight of Hanwoo cattle.

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of mountain grazing on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo steers. Thirty two Hanwoo steers were randomly assigned. Control were fed concentrate + forage until 30 month of age. Treatment1 were fed concentrate + forage after mountain grazing from 8 to 13 months. Treatment2 and 3 were fed concentrate + forage after mountain grazing from 8 to 17 months. Hanwoo steers on Treatment 1 and 2 were slaughtered at the same age (30 months) as the control, and Hanwoo steers on Treatment 3 were slaughtered at 31 months. The average daily gain (ADG) were higher in the control than in the other treatments during the growing period (p<0.05). Carcass back fat thickness was thicker in the TRT 3 and marbling score was higher in the TRT 1 than in the other treatments; however, the differences were not statistically significant. There was no difference in the meat composition and shear force of the longissimus muscle according to the mountain grazing. However, the yellowness (b) of fat colors were significantly lower in the control than in the TRT 1 and TRT 2 (p<0.05). The effect of grazing on fatty acid composition was not constant. In conclusion, mountain grazing could reduce meat color without affecting the growth and meat quality of Hanwoo steers, and further research on the quality, yield and intake of grassland would be needed.

This study was conducted with two ruminally cannulated Holstein steers to examine the effect of micronized and steam flaked corn on ruminal fermentation characteristics. The in situ dry matter degradability after 48 h incubation was the highest (P<0.05) at micronized corn (2.5 mm thickness) compared with steam flaked corn treatments. The steam flacked corn (3.3 mm thickness) was degraded lower (P<0.05) than the 2.9 and 3.1 mm thickness of steam flacked corn. Effective dry matter degradability and the rate of constant were the highest (P<0.05) at micronized corn (2.5 mm thickness) compared with steam flaked corns as well. The in vitro dry matter degradability after 48 h incubation was tended to higher (P=0.088) at micronized corn (2.5 mm thickness) than steam flaked corns, whereas there is no significantly difference between steam flaked corn treatments. Total volatile fatty acid concentration was higher at steam flaked corn (2.9 mm thickness) than micronized corn (2.5 mm thickness) and steam flaked corn (3.1 and 3.3 mm thickness). The acetate : propionate ratio was the highest (P=0.008) at steam flaked corn (2.9 mm thickness) and the lowest (P=0.008) at micronized corn (2.5 mm thickness). Total gas and methane production after 48h ruminal incubation was the highest (P=0.001) at micronized corn (2.5 mm thickness) compared with steam flaked corns. According to these results, the thickness of steam flaked corn as resulted corn processing is believed to do not affect methane production. However, further study is needed to better understand the present results to verify the correlation between corn processing method and their thickness on methane production using the same thickness corns by difference processing methods.

This study was conducted to ameliorate the productive performance of Hanwoo cow using hill pasture grazing system. Twenty seven animals aged 9 were designed to divide with 3 groups which were Control (restricted concentrate and hay for 5 months), T1 (restricted concentrate and pasture grazing ad libitum for 5 months) and T2 (restricted concentrate, 30 g/head of mineral nutrients and pasture grazing ad libitum for 5 months). Average daily gains increased higher in the order of T2, Control and T1. The conception rate of Control, T1 and T2 after artificial insemination during post-grazing period were 88.9%, 100%, 100%, respectively. In conclusion, the results indicated that hill pasture grazing system might enhance not only the productive performance of Hanwoo cow but also profit for conventional feeding system.

본 시험은 성 성숙기의 한우 암송아지 18두(14개월령, 평균체중 251kg)를 이용하여 저 수준의 농후사 료 급여에 따른 성장과 번식능력에 미치는 영향을 규명하기 위하여 실시하였다. 공시축은 시판 한우 번 식우용 배합사료를 체중의 0.8%(T1) 및 1.2%(T2)씩 총 30개월(사양시험 20개월, 번식능력시험 10개월) 동안 섭취하였으며, 처리구당 9두를 2우리에 완전임의 배치를 하였다. 본 시험의 사양시험 결과를 한국 가축사양표준의 영양소 요구량과 비교해 볼 때, T1구에서 성장이 제대로 되지 못한 이유는 에너지 보다 는 단백질 섭취부족 때문인 것으로 나타났다. 공시축의 체형변화에서 저 영양수준으로 인하여 영향을 가장 많이 받는 부위는 흉폭과 체장이었으며 특히, 흉폭은 시험시작시보다도 종료시 측정치가 오히려 3.7% 작았다. 난소의 크기는 T1구가 T2구의 약 63%수준밖에 되지 않았으며, 수태율(33.3% : 77.8%)과 송아지의 생시체중(22.5kg : 29.5kg)도 T1구에서 심각하게 저하되었다. 따라서 한우번식우 사양에 있 어서 성성숙기 이후에도 에너지보다는 단백질 공급수준에 의해 사양성적 및 번식능력에 많은 영향을 끼 치는 것으로 나타났다.

The objective of this study was to determine how feeding forage and concentrate separately (SF) or as a total mixed ration (TMR) affects enteric methane production of cattle. Six Holstein steers (203 ± 22.5 kg) were used in a 2 × 3 changeover design experiment. Experimental diets (TMR and SF) consisted of compound feed, timothy hay and soybean curd residue in a ratio of 40:48:12, respectively, and diets were fed at 10% of metabolic body weight, on an as-fed basis. There were no differences in dry matter intake and enteric methane production (g/d) between SF and TMR but the methane conversion rate (methane energy/GE intake) of TMR was significantly higher (p=0.05) than that of SF. The mean methane emission factor (kg/head/year) and conversion rate of the two treatments were 21.4 and 0.05, respectively. There was a strong relationship between metabolic body weight and enteric methane production (p<0.001). At the present time, further studies may be necessary in order to establish the effects of TMR and SF on enteric methane production.

본 시험은 동계작물인 쌀보리의 알곡에 대한 사료로서의 활용도를 제고하고자 미생물 분포를 분석하고, 발효과정 중 이화학적 및 미생물학적 특성의 변화 분석을 통하여 효 과적인 발효사료 제조방법을 제시하고자 수행하였다. 즉, 수확된 쌀보리 종실에 시판 생균제를 기준에 맞게 접종한 후 공기와 접촉하지 않도록 밀봉하여 37℃에서 7일간 발 효를 통해 쌀보리 종실의 저장성과 안전성을 증진시킬 수 있다. 쌀보리 종실 자체에 Staphylococcus속과 Bacillus속의 미 생물들이 다수 존재하여 자연발효의 가능성이 있음을 보여 주었다. 또한 생균제를 접종하지 않은 쌀보리 종실도 기간 이 경과됨에 따라 산도가 저하되고 유산균 수가 증가하여 발효가 이루어지고 있는 것으로 나타났다. 그러나 쌀보리 종실에 생균제를 접종하였을 경우, 발효 7일차에 pH가 4.33±0.02로 발효가 더 빨리 진행되었으며, 유산균의 수도 전체 발효기간 동안 미 접종 대조구에 비해 높게 유지되었 으나, 효모의 수에 있어서는 차이가 나타나지 않았다. 발효 에 의해 쌀보리 종실의 산도가 저하됨에 따라 초기 107 cfu/g 이상 검출되었던 대장균이 발효 7일차 이후부터는 전 혀 검출되지 않아 발효가 쌀보리 종실의 안전성을 유지시 키는 데 있어 효과적인 저장방법으로 나타났다.

본 연구는 부존 조사료자원 이용으로 수입사료를 줄이고 사료비를 절감하고자 2010년도에 전남 해남(간척지), 강원 평창(강변), 원주(섬강변), 전남 영광(와탄강변) 등 4개 지역에서 갈대와 억새 등 야초 자생지를 탐색하고,수확 이용실태 조사와 함께 사료가치를 분석하였다. 전남 해남 해남목장 내 갈대(Phragmitescommunis) 위주의 야초 자생지는 300 ha로 예년에는 2회 곤포작업하여 연간 사일리지로2,300~2,500톤(ha당 8톤)을 생산하였으나 2010년도는 1회 곤포조제로 사일리지 2,000톤(ha당7톤)을 생산하였다. 유통가격은 롤 당 53천원으로 kg당 110원이었다. 곤포는 전량 자가소비하며, 외부 작업단에 롤 당 26천원의 작업비를지불하였다. 연간 조수입은 2억 2,260만원이며,소득은 1억원 수준(345천원/ha)이었다. 초장150 cm의 갈대는 조단백질 8.4%, 상대사료가치71.9 (건초 5등급), 건물 소화율 60.1%로 사료가치는 볏짚에 비해 약간 나은 것으로 평가되었다. 갈대 사일리지의 사료가치와 유기산 함량은 동일 지역에서 동일한 재료로 사일리지를조제하더라도 수확시기에 따라 차이가 컸으며(CP 4.7~6.4%, RFV 62.2~78.9, 건물 소화율41.9~53.9%), 갈대 사일리지의 품질은 수단그라스에 비해 불량하였다. 강원 평창 강변 자생갈대의 사료가치는 초장이 79, 117, 121, 142cm로 생육이 진행됨에 따라 낮아져, 조단백질은 각각 13.9%에서 7.6%로, 상대사료가치는90.7 (건초 3등급)에서 76.1 (건초 4등급)로, 건물 소화율은 72.9%에서 54.7%로 감소하였다.원주 섬강 주변 야초류는 곤포수확 작업에 어려움이 있었으며, 초장 130 cm의 갈대는 조단백질 8.5%, 상대사료가치 82.3 (건초 4등급), 건물 소화율 70.2%로 사료가치는 높았으며, 220cm의 성숙한 갈대는 조단백질 10.2%, 상대사료가치 65.1 (건초 5등급), 건물 소화율 48.9%로볏짚 대비 조금 나은 것으로 평가되었다. 전남영광지역에서는 와탄천 주변에 자생하는 갈대를 수거 이용하고자 시도하였으나 경제성이 없어 중단하였다. 이상의 결과를 종합하여볼 때,갈대, 억새 등 야초류는 현 상태에서 최대한수거 이용하되, 사료가치를 유지하고 가축 기호성이 양호한 시기에 수확하는 것이 중요하며, 최소한 볏짚과 비슷하거나 그 이상의 사료가치를 기대하기 위해서는 7월 중순 이전(늦어도 7월까지)에 수확 이용하는 것이 권장된다.

This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of varieties and quality of winter crop on palatability of calves for two years. Four Italian ryegrass variety(Kospeed, Kogreen, Kowinearly and Hwasan 101ho), two barley(Youngyang, Yuyeon), and a rye (Winter green) were cultivated at experimental field of National Institute of Animal Science, Cheonan. Four early varieties(Kospeed, Kogreen, Kowinearly and Winter green)were harvested at 20th Dry matter yield of "Hwasan 101 ho" was l8,629㎏/㏊(12,141 + 6,488) and Yeongyang, Youyeon and Winter green were 14,182, 12,487 and 10,935㎏/ha, respectively. Moisture content of Hwasan 101 ho was 81.5% in harvesting time, but wilting for 24 hours might bedecrease moisture content by 65.5%. The relative intake of Hwasan 101 ho, Kowinearly, Kospeed and Kogreen were 34.5, 60, 19.8, 15.7%, respectively. Among forage crop species, relative intake of Italian ryegrass(Hwasan 101 ho), barley(Yeongyang and Youyeon), and Rye(Winter green) were 43.1, 20.9, 20.5 and 15.5%, respectively.