This study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotic treatment with IgY and Bacillus subtilis complex on diarrhea and weight gain in Hanwoo calves. Bacillus and E. coli levels were measured in the feces of calves post probiotic administration. Subsequently, calves with diarrhea were divided into two groups. The total and daily weight gain was measured in 23 calves after three months of suckling and divided into three groups. In Test 1, Bacillus was detected of the control group constantly at 104 CFU/g; a statistically significant difference was observed between the treatment and the control groups on the 1st and 3rd day (p<0.05) but not on the 7th day, confirming that the Bacillus subtilis survived in the intestine only until the 7th day. The treatment and control groups in Test 2 did not show any significant difference in the E. coli levels. However, comparison of changes in the E. coli levels showed a decreased of 6.39×108±9.80×108 CFU/g in the control group increase by 1.54×109±2.16×109 CFU/g, and, a decrease by 1.47×109±2.20×109 CFU/g; a decrease of by 4.20×107±3.90×108 CFU/g was observed in the treated group, an increase by 7.19×108±2.04×109 CFU/g, anda a decrease by 9.22×108±1.79×109 CFU/g. The changes in, control group were more rapid than in the treatment group. Therefore we hypothesize that probiotics inhibit E. coli growth. A concurrent improvement in weight gain was observed following probiotic administration. The IgY and Bacillus subtilis probiotics complex used in this study can be effectively used for the prevention and treatment of calf diarrhea.

This study was conducted to investigate the breeding status of farms to improve the production efficiency of Hanwoo calf. The study was conducted on 45 farms divided into two groups. This study was conducted to investigate the breeding size and breeding area of Hanwoo cows. The average age at first delivery of Hanwoo was 28.7 months. The number of artificial insemination per pregnancy was 1.45±0.32, and the number of artificial insemination days after birth was 119.8 days. Conception rates were 75.2±16.93% for small farms and 70.6±17.46% for medium sized farms and 71.4±11.03% for large farms. When we looked at farming methods, ‘the farmers using estrus observation aids’ had 10.42% higher calf production rate than the ‘unused farmers’. The farms vaccinated with IBR and BVDV for breeding cattle showed a 4.41% decrease in abortion, stillbirth and mortality. According to farming conditions, conception rate and delivery rate improved by 3.47% and 18.29%, respectively, when grazing and exercising were performed. Observation, immunization and grazing were found to be important indicators for improving calf production efficiency in Hanwoo farm. This study can be used as a research data to improve the reproductive rate of farmhouse sites through the survey on the breeding status of Hanwoo farmers.

Calculating break-even price of calf production is closely associated with reproductive efficiency. To determine the price, we need data from reproduction records including number of claves weaned, number of cows exposed for breeding, and annual cash coast per cow, and average weaning or market weight of claves sold and retained. Unfortunately, the data were not available in Korea native cow (Hanwoo). To evaluate the performance and the price, we collected calving interval from about 60,000 cows for last 10 years and estimated reproductive performance. Calving interval was increased 4.3% and pregnancy rate was decreased about 1.4∼2.8% year-on-year. Increases in growth rates of number of cow and semen per calf supported the low reproductive performance. Finally, break-even price was calculated using estimated percent calf crop and demonstrated that growth rate of break-even price is larger than that of annual cash per cow, suggesting cow-calf profitability and financial efficiency in Korea native cow (Hanwoo) is getting worse.