This study was conducted to analyze long-term trends in moisture content and regional distribution characteristics of winter forages produced in Korea. A total of 14,204 samples collected from forage production farms and TMR facilities across 128 Si/Gun units nationwide from 2015 to 2024 were analyzed for moisture content, and annual, regional, and species-specific trends were examined accordingly. The overall mean moisture content was 34.82 ± 16.68%, with a declining trend from 46.70% in 2015 to 30.71% in 2024. Among the forage species, Italian ryegrass showed the lowest mean moisture content (29.44 ± 13.31%), decreasing consistently from 41.16% in 2015 to 23.91% in 2024, contributing substantially to the overall declining trend. Regional variation in moisture content was associated with differences in forage storage type composition, with Gangwon province showing higher moisture content corresponding to a greater proportion of silage, while Jeonbuk province showed lower moisture content with a higher proportion of hay. No statistically significant correlations were found between moisture content and environmental factors including precipitation and drainage installation rate (p>0.05), suggesting that final moisture content is likely influenced by multiple factors beyond regional precipitation, highlighting the need for further studies including direct variables like post-harvest management. The proportion of hay increased from 7.8% in 2015 to 32.3% in 2024, while silage decreased from 43.9% to 15.0%, a trend that coincides with the implementation of the national forage quality grading system initiated in 2015, suggesting a possible association. These results provide baseline data for developing region-specific forage production and quality management strategies in Korea.

This study aims to propose new grading standards that can be applied to AI-based automatic sorting machines, reflecting current distribution and consumption trends. The current domestic grading standards for onions in South Korea are based on the “Agricultural and Fishery Products Quality Control Act”. They classify onions based on criteria such as uniformity, shape, color, and the presence of foreign matter. Onion grading standards are divided into four categories based on bulb diameter and weight. However, in the actual domestic market, onions are distributed according to a five-grade classification based on bulb diameter. Therefore, this study classified onions into eight grades, reflecting current distribution and consumption trends in the domestic market. These grades are applicable to AI-based automatic sorting machines. Marketable onions were classified into A1 (extra large) to A5 (extra small) based on the diameter of a single bulb. Onions used for non-marketable purposes (processing) were classified as grade B. Additionally, grade C and grade D were designated for processing and disposal, respectively. By establishing quality grading classifications that align with current distribution and consumption market trends as well as the operational characteristics of AI-based automatic sorting machines, we can expect improvements in work efficiency and reductions in distribution costs. Following this study, it will be necessary to establish comprehensive quality grading standards that include both external criteria (such as bulb weight and size) and internal criteria (such as detection of internal decay and disease occurrence).

시판 '청도반시' 말랭이의 품질 분석과 등급화 지표를 설정하기 위하여, 시중에 유통되고 있는 제조사가 다른 7종의 제품을 구입하여 객관적 및 관능적 품질을 분석하였다. 아울러 전반적 기호도와의 상관분석을 통해 등급화 지표를 설정하고 검정을 실시하였다. 감말랭이의 중량, 길이, 너비, 두께, 경도 등은 제품별로 다소 차이를 보였다. 가용성 고형분 함량은 제품별 차이를 보였으며, 그 범위는 로 나타났다. 기계적 색도 역시, 제품별 차이를 보였는데 L