Economic Efficiency of Beef Cattle Produced from in vitro Fertilized Fertilized Eggs of Hanwoo Beef
Authors:   The Korean Society for Veterinary Nursing, Lee Jun Young , Jung Yun Gil , Kim Su Jin , Seo Byoung Boo 
Published: January 2024

This study seeks to compare the economic feasibility and slaughter weight of beef cattle produced based on in vitro embryo. To this end, the study compared and investigated the grade rate of carcasses based on embryo transfer and artificial insemination; slaughter weight, carcass grading results, meat quality and quantity. With respect to the meat grades of carcass based on embryo transfer and artificial insemination; 50.0% (5/10) of embryo transfer-based carcasses were graded with 1++; and 50.0% (5/10), 1+, indicating that 100% (10/10) received at least 1+ grade. On the other hand, artificial insemination-based castrated cattle had no 1++ grade while 30.0% (6/20) received 1+; 60.0% (12/20), 1; and 10.0% (2/20) 2. This finding showed that embryo-based castrated cattle had higher grades than artificial insemination-based cattle as 100% of the former were graded with 1+ or higher. This study also investigated 10 embryo transfer-based castrated cattle and 20 artificial insemination-based cattle to compare their dressed weight, back fat thickness, sirloin cross section, and meat quantity indication. As a result, the embryo transfer-based castrated cattle showed slaughter weight of 488.4kg on average, heavier by 40.6kg than 447.8kg of artificial insemination-based cattle. Back fat thickness was 15.6㎝ on average in embryo transfer-based cases, 0.9㎝ thinner than 16.5㎝ of artificial insemination-based cases. Sirloin cross section of embryo transfer-based cattle was 99.6㎠ on average, 9.8㎠ wider than 89.8㎠ of artificial insemination cases. Meat quantity indication was found 2.1% higher in the embryo transfer cases (62.8%) than artificial insemination cases (64.9%).
With respect to meat quantity grade, 10.0% (2/20) of the artificial insemination cases had Grade A; 50.0% (10/20), Grade B; and 40.0% (8/20), Grade C. Embryo transfer-based cattle showed no Grade A among the 10 carcasses; Grade B in 60.0% (6/10); and Grade C in 40.0% (4/10).
Comparing the results of economic profitability in terms of carcass auction prices, the embryo transfer-based castrated cattle was KRW 1,119,453 higher than artificial insemination-based castrated case. Per-head economic gain of embryo transfer-based castrated cattle was KRW 2,282,602, higher than KRW 1,567,149 of artificial insemination-based cattle.
Based on the findings, this study examined embryo transfer-based castrated cattle and artificial insemination-based cattle to compare their carcass grade rate, dressed weight, grading result and economic feasibility. Consequentially, this study found that in vitro embryo transfer-based castrated cattle had higher meat quality grade, slaughter weight and economic feasibility. Based on information on pedigree, attribute, and carcass data of individual with blood tie which indicate such meat productivity; high grade cattle genetic resources would be secured to contribute to quality meat production. Subsequent study will need to research industrialization based on in vitro embryo transfer.