A Comparison of Rice Straw and Whole-Crop Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Silage Supplements on Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Hanwoo (Bos taurus coreanae) Steers

This study aimed to analyze the effects of whole-crop barley silage (WCBS) and a high-concentrate diet combination to replace a rice straw/concentrate on growth performance, and meat quality of Hanwoo steers (HS). Twenty-four animals were allocated to two groups with a rice straw/concentrate control treatment (CON) and a WCBS/concentrate treatment group. The concentrate was offered to all animals based on live weight after a feeding trial of grass-based diets. Feed intake of WCBS was lower than the CON (p < 0.01) and intake of concentrate was lower in the WCBS group than the CON in all experimental phases (p < 0.01). WCBS increased backfat thickness (BFT) and slaughter weight (p > 0.05). The marbling score was slightly higher in the WCBS group (p > 0.05). WCBS-fed beef had higher crude fat, lower crude protein, and moisture contents. WCBS feeding increased the levels of alpha-linolenic acid (p < 0.01) and decreased arachidonic acid in meat (p < 0.02). Hanwoo steers fed WCBS/concentrate improved feed intake, carcass traits, meat price, palatability, and FA content compared to those fed rice straw/concentrate, suggesting that WCBS is a potential source for improving the growth performance and meat quality in Hanwoo steers with significant economic efficiency.