The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different pregnancy stages on the eating and ruminating behavior of Hanwoo heifers (Bos taurus coreanae). A total of twelve Hanwoo heifers were divided into four groups depending on pregnancy stage: C: before pregnancy, 9 months old, T1: 3 months pregnant, 16 months old, T2: 6 months pregnant, 19 months old, T3: 9 months pregnant, 22 months old (3 replicates per group). Concentrate of 1% of the body weight was fed to them. Roughage was provided at ad libitum to all treatments. Our results revealed that the intake of roughage was the highest in the T3 group (at 3.68 kg) and the lowest in the C group (at 1.02 kg, p<0.05). Total intake in the order from high to low was: T3 > T2 > T1 > C (p<0.05). The rate of dry matter intake compared to body weight (DMI/BW, %) from high to low order was: T3 > T2 > T1 > C (p<0.05). Eating time, ruminating time, and chewing time were the highest in T3 group (p<0.05). Resting time was the highest in C group (p<0.05). The number of bolus and the number of total chews were significantly higher in T3 compared to those in other groups. However, ruminating time per bolus was not significantly difference among groups. The number of chews per bolus from high to low order was: C > T1 > T3 > T2 (p<0.05). The number of bolus per minute was not significantly different among groups. The number of drinking and the number of defecating were significantly higher in C and T1, respectively (p<0.05). However, the number of urinating had no effect according to pregnancy stage. Eating rate and chewing efficiency were significantly higher (p<0.05) in accordance with pregnancy stage (T3 > T2 > T1 > C). Ruminating efficiency was significantly (p<0.05) higher T1 than that in other groups.

This study was carried out between November 2007 and October 2008 in the experimental farm of Chunnam National University to investigate the effect of feeding of whole crop barley silage on the reproductive performance of Hanwoo heifers and cows. Two diets, rice straw or whole crop barley silage separately from concentrate were fed 11 Hanwoo heifers and 26 Hanwoo cows. In control group (=CON), heifers (n=6) and cows (n=13) were fed 7 kg (/head) rice straw and 4 kg (/head) commercial diet. In whole crop barley silage group (=WBG), heifers (n=5) and cows (n=13) were fed 8 kg (/head) whole crop barley silage and 1 kg (/head) commercial diet. 1. Conception rates for first service in CON or WBG heifers were 66.7% (4/6) and 60.0% (3/5), respectively, and the services per conception cows were 1.5±0.2 for CON and 1.4±0.2 for WBG group. 2. Days to post-partum insemination were 106.6±26.3 days for CON and 85.6±12.6 days for WBG group, and days to post-partum conception in CON or WBG were 128.4±27.1 and 96.8±16.8 days, respectively. 3. Post-partum conception rates for first service in CON or WBG were 76.9% (10/13) and 84.6% (11/13), respectively, and caving interval was 418.1±50.7 days for CON and 392.8±20.7 days for WBG group.