Effects of Brewers Grain, Soybean Curd and Rice Straw as an Ingredient of TMR on Growth Performance, Serum Parameters and Carcass Characteristics of Hanwoo Steers

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the dietary effect of total mixed rations (TMR) containing brewers grain, soybean curd and rice straw, respectively, on growth performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo steers. Twenty four Hanwoo steers (average body weight 168 kg) in 6 months age were randomly allocated to 4 experimental groups, which contained 6 animals per group during 22-months feeding trial. The treatment was composed of the group fed concentrate and rice straw separately (T1), the group fed TMR containing brewers grain (T2), the group fed TMR containing soybean curd (T3) and the group fed TMR containing rice straw (T4). Body weight (BW) was not different among treatment groups during the growing and middle fattening period. However, it was significantly greater in T4 group than in T2 group on the final BW (p<0.05). Average daily gain was significantly greater in TMR groups compared to T1 group on the growing and late fattening (p<0.05). However, it was not different in total average. Dry matter intake tended to be increased in TMR groups. The feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in T4 group compare to T2 group (p<0.05). According to the yield traits, carcass weight of T1, T2, T3 and T4 were 389.0, 368.4, 387.5 and 384.3 kg, respectively. The back fat thickness, rib-eye area, and yield index were not different among the groups. Meat color, fat color, texture and maturity were not significantly different among groups. However, marbling score and appearance rate of meat quality grade of over 1 + were greater in T2 and T3 groups compare to other groups. Therefore, these results indicated that TMR with brewers grain and soybean curd may be ameliorated the growth performance and carcass characteristics of Hanwoo steers.

Feeding strategies with total mixed ration and concentrate may improve feed intake and carcass quality of Hanwoo steers

“…Thus, daily weight gain was not different across the different treatment groups. These results are in accordance with reports by Jin et al [ 15 ] and Chang et al [ 16 ], wherein there was a difference in feed intake between TMR-based feeding and SCF during the growing period; however, there was no significant difference in body weight gain. Kim et al [ 17 ] argued that compared with SCF feeding, feeding TMR or TMR with fermented feed during the growing period increased daily weight gain, as nutrient use efficiency was improved with fermentation in the rumen.…”