Study on Comparison of Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency and Carcass Characteristics for Holstein and F1(Holstein ♀ x Hanwoo ♂) Steers and Heifers

Abstract

Present study was conducted to investigate the optimal feeding levels for producing the high quality meat on the basis of the information deriving from the comparison of the growth performance and carcass characteristics among breeds (Holstein vs F1, Holstein♀ × Hanwoo ), sex ♂ (steer vs heifer) and interaction between breed and sex. Thirty two animals on 4 treatments (i.e. eight head each) were used for 540 days from seven to 24 months of age.The results obtained are summarized as follows; the range of average daily gains was 0.733 to 1.018, 0.994 to 1.255, 0.947 to 1.259 and 0.736 to 0.824 kg for the growing, the early-fattening, the midfattening and the finishing periods, respectively. The range of average daily gains for the entire period was 0.882 to 1.061 kg. The gains were higher for Holstein(7.3%) and the steers(10.5%) than F1 and the heifers, respectively. Concentrates and total digestible nutrients intakes per kg gain were higher for Holstein and the heifers than F1 and the steers, respectively. These findings may indicate that feed utilization is higher for Holstein than F1, and higher for the steers than the heifers.In carcass characteristics, back fat thickness was thicker for Holstein than F1, and rib-eye area was smaller for Holstein than F1. The rib-eye area per kg carcass weight was larger for F1 and the heifers than Holstein and the steers, respectively. Meat color was better for Holstein than F1, but the sex distinction did not show any differences. In physicochemical properties of longissimus dorsi, shear force, cooking loss, water holding capacity and the panel test scores of juiciness, tenderness and flavor for F1 and the heifers were better than those for Holstein and the steers, respectively. According to the above results, we may conclude that F1 and heifers rather than Holstein and steers are recommended for high quality meat production. In steers and heifers of Holstein and F1, the optimal feeding levels may be 1.9% of apparent body weight for concentrates and 25% of concentrates intake for rice straw.

Effect of fattening period on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economic traits of Holstein steers

“…Steers in 20-month treatment group had a 12.88% lower FCR than those in the 24-month treatment group. Maintaining the maximum growth rate is important for increasing the feed efficiency of Holstein steers [ 13 ] because ADG begins to decrease after 20 months of age [ 6 ]. The final BWs of Holstein steers are similar with previous study [ 6 ].…”

“…Maintaining the maximum growth rate is important for increasing the feed efficiency of Holstein steers [ 13 ] because ADG begins to decrease after 20 months of age [ 6 ]. The final BWs of Holstein steers are similar with previous study [ 6 ]. Taken together, these results indicate that Holstein steers in the 20- and 21-month treatment groups had better growth performance, including greater ADG and FCR.…”

“…In 2020, 62,382 Holstein steers were sent to slaughterhouses, which is approximately 15.3% of the total number of Hanwoo steers slaughtered (405,785) [ 5 ]. However, the Holstein fattening system in Korea was recently modified with extended fattening period without considering the type of cattle or feed supplies, resulting in decreased feed efficiency and increased production costs [ 6 ]. Feeding and fattening strategies of Holstein steers then better be optimized to achieve improved growth performance and economic returns.…”

Effects of Feeding Total Mixed Ration in the Growing and Fattening Periods on the Growth and Carcass Characteristics of Hanwoo Steers

“…The DMI was 10.7% higher in the concentrate and forage-fed groups, but the daily gain was 6.3% higher in the TMR groups, which is similar to the findings of this study. In addition, Kang et al (2005) reported that the TMR-fed groups showed a higher growth rate than the concentrate and forage-fed groups. Cho et al (2008) reported that the average daily gain was higher in the TMR-fed groups than in the concentrate and forage-fed groups, especially in the early fattening period (p < 0.05).…”

Effects of energy levels on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and fatty acid composition of Holstein steers at different slaughter ages

“…Another study found that high-energy feed for 12 months increased intramuscular fat twice as much as in the 6-month experimental group [ 6 ]. However, little research has been conducted on improving the growth performance and meat quality of Holstein compared to other beef cattle, and previous studies have only focused on extending the fattening periods after castration [ 7 ]. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the most efficient energy feeding level for different slaughter ages of Holstein steers by adjusting the energy feeding level for different phases during the fattening period.…”