The effect of carcass traits on economic values in Hanwoo

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate factors related to carcass traits of Hanwoo. In the statistical model developed in this study, slaughterhouse, carcass year, carcass month and sex effects were used as fixed effects and carcass traits (carcass weight, marbling score, loineye muscle area, backfat thickness and meat yield index) as covariations. The grading service data for 285,515 Hanwoo, which were evaluated by Animal Products Grading Service from 2005 to 2007, were used in this study. The partial R-square values of the fixed effects and the marbling score (MS), loineye muscle area, back-fat thickness, meat yield index and carcass weight (CW) on auction prices (AP) of the carcass and carcass price (CP) of the animals were estimated. The most important estimated trait in AP was MS. However, CW is the most important estimated trait on the CP and the MS also has secondly significant effect on the CP. In conclusion, MS as well as CW should maximize the farmer profits and establish a breeding scheme for Hanwoo.