Factors Affecting Beef Average Daily Gain and Carcass Traits in Smallholder Farms in Thailand

Authors

• China Supakorn, School of Agriculture and Cooperative, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi, Thailand 11120Follow
• Sumalee Supant, Madna Thom Subdistrict Administrative Organization, Khok Sri Suphan, Sakon Nakhon, Thailand 47280
• Warinthorn Maneerat, School of Agriculture and Cooperative, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi, Thailand 11120
• Ya-Shiou Chang, Department of Animal Science, Chinese Culture University, Taipei, Taiwan 11114
• Monticha Putsakhum, School of Agriculture and Cooperative, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi, Thailand 11120

Publication Date

12-1-2025

Abstract

This study examined the effects of farm management, body weight, fattening duration, breed, and estimated age on average daily gain (ADG) and meat quality traits, such as hot carcass weight (HCW) and dressing percentage (DP). The dataset comprised 3,286 steers from the Livestock Cooperative in Sakon Nakhon province, Thailand, spanning 10 yr (from 2013 to 2023). The mean initial and slaughter weights were 392.92 ± 29.18 kg and 600.75 ± 60.73 kg, respectively. The ADG during the fattening period was 0.95 ± 0.17 kg/d, while HCW and DP averaged 328.86 ± 40.79 kg and 54.75 ± 1.41%, respectively. The beef marbling score (BMS) was classified as quality grade 3 (select). The analysis model included fixed effects for farm, initial weight, fattening duration, breed, and estimated age, all of which significantly influenced ADG, HCW, and DP (p < 0.05). Charolais crossbreeds exhibited higher ADG (1.00 ± 0.18 kg/d), HCW (340.30 ± 21.04 kg), and DP (56.92 ± 2.42%) compared with Limousin and Brahman crossbreeds. Two-year-old steers were found to be optimum for achieving superior ADG and meat quality. However, breed and estimated age were independent of BMS. The coefficients of initial weight and fattening duration had a significant impact on the traits (ADG, HCW, and DP). In conclusion, the best performance in terms of ADG and carcass traits was observed among Charolais crossbreeds entering the fattening period at 2 yr of age.

Recommended Citation

Supakorn, China; Supant, Sumalee; Maneerat, Warinthorn; Chang, Ya-Shiou; and Putsakhum, Monticha (2025) "Factors Affecting Beef Average Daily Gain and Carcass Traits in Smallholder Farms in Thailand," The Philippine Agricultural Scientist: Vol. 108: No. 4, Article 5.
Available at: https://www.ukdr.uplb.edu.ph/pas/vol108/iss4/5