Table 2
Effects of weaning and castration ages on growth performance of Hanwoo steers

ItemTreatmentcP-value
W80C90W80C180W130C90W130C180
Growing period (3–12 months of age)
Initial body weight (kg)112.7 ± 12.3114.9 ± 13.8118.7 ± 10.8110.7 ± 13.70.062
Final body weight (kg)314.6 ± 31.3317.5 ± 29.2320.2 ± 24.0299.0 ± 23.80.277
Average daily gain (kg)0.74 ± 0.080.75 ± 0.080.74 ± 0.070.70 ± 0.060.362
Concentrate (DM, kg)3.58 ± 0.583.58 ± 0.583.58 ± 0.583.58 ± 0.58
Rice straw (DM, kg)1.78 ± 0.251.78 ± 0.251.78 ± 0.251.78 ± 0.25
Dry matter intake (kg)5.36 ± 0.575.36 ± 0.575.36 ± 0.575.36 ± 0.57
Feed conversion ratio7.24ab ± 0.606.96b ± 0.657.24ab ± 0.518.68a ± 0.530.011
Early fattening period (13–22 months of age)
Initial body weight (kg)314.6 ± 31.3317.5 ± 29.2320.2 ± 24.0299.0 ± 23.80.277
Final body weight (kg)569.5 ± 40.5584.7 ± 56.2583.8 ± 57.8570.7 ± 48.90.828
Average daily gain (kg)0.84 ± 0.050.88 ± 0.110.87 ± 0.120.90 ± 0.130.500
Concentrate (DM, kg)5.82 ± 1.115.82 ± 1.115.82 ± 1.115.82 ± 1.11
Rice straw (DM, kg)2.39 ± 0.212.39 ± 0.212.39 ± 0.212.39 ± 0.21
Dry matter intake (kg)8.21 ± 0.458.21 ± 0.458.21 ± 0.458.21 ± 0.45
Feed conversion ratio10.06 ± 0.779.70 ± 1.419.71 ± 1.319.41 ± 1.590.714
Late fattening period (23–31 months of age)
Initial body weight (kg)569.5 ± 40.5584.7 ± 56.2583.8 ± 57.8570.7 ± 48.90.838
Final body weight (kg)756.5 ± 60.1783.0 ± 79.3781.8 ± 75.6766.1 ± 72.90.793
Average daily gain (kg)0.65 ± 0.090.69 ± 0.120.69 ± 0.080.68 ± 0.170.868
Concentrate (DM, kg)7.97 ± 0.818.13 ± 0.648.13 ± 0.648.13 ± 0.64
Rice straw (DM, kg)0.96 ± 0.340.96 ± 0.340.96 ± 0.340.96 ± 0.34
Dry matter intake (kg)8.93 ± 0.839.09 ± 0.649.10 ± 0.649.10 ± 0.64
Feed conversion ratio13.77 ± 3.9311.98 ± 2.0311.87 ± 1.6612.10 ± 2.390.642
Entire period (3–31 months of age)
Initial body weight (kg)112.7 ± 12.3114.9 ± 13.8118.7 ± 10.8110.7 ± 13.70.062
Final body weight (kg)756.5 ± 60.1783.0 ± 79.3781.8 ± 75.6766.1 ± 72.90.793
Average daily gain (kg)0.75 ± 0.060.78 ± 0.070.77 ± 0.050.77 ± 0.080.739
Concentrate (DM, kg)5.72 ± 2.335.78 ± 2.375.75 ± 2.435.75 ± 2.43
Rice straw (DM, kg)1.73 ± 0.651.73 ± 0.651.69 ± 0.671.69 ± 0.67
Dry matter intake (kg)7.45 ± 2.177.50 ± 2.197.45 ± 2.337.45 ± 2.33
Feed conversion ratio10.2 ± 4.099.35 ± 3.059.26 ± 3.119.30 ± 3.310.879