Effects of Expected Progeny Difference and Feeding Systems on Carcass Characteristics in Hanwoo Steers

This study evaluated the effects of expected progeny difference (EPD) grade and feeding system on carcass performance in Hanwoo steers using a large-scale field dataset collected under commercial production conditions. Records from 4561 steers (1466 fed total mixed fermented feed [TMF] and 3095 on a conventional separate-feeding system) across 269 farms in Korea from January 2023 to May 2025 were analyzed. Expected progeny difference grades for carcass weight (CWT), backfat thickness (BFT), ribeye area (REA), and marbling score (MBS) were classified A-D. Carcass performance significantly differed among EPD grades. Compared with grade D, grade A steers exhibited greater CWT (45.2 kg), less BFT (3.44 mm), greater REA (10.77 cm²), and greater MBS (1.57 units). Genetically superior animals reached slaughter age earlier. Steers fed TMF demonstrated higher CWT, BFT, REA, and MBS than conventionally fed steers. No significant interaction between EPD grade and feeding system was found for any carcass trait. These results indicate that EPD grades consistently predict carcass performance across different feeding environments, while TMF improves the absolute level of carcass traits. This large field dataset demonstrates that integrating Hanwoo EPD information with appropriate feeding management may support more efficient and profitable carcass production under commercial farm conditions.