Effects of dietary levels of tapioca residue on growth performance and carcass characteristics in Hanwoo steers.

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary levels of tapioca residue on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat composition in Hanwoo steers.

Methods: Twenty-eight steers were randomly assigned to one of four dietary groups; T0 (0% tapioca residue), T6.7 (6.7% tapioca residue), T9 (9% tapioca residue), and T12 (12% tapioca residue).

Results: Supplementation with tapioca residue had no effect on overall growth performance. The concentration of plasma total cholesterol was higher in T6.7 than in other treatments (p < 0.05). Dietary levels of tapioca residue did not affect carcass yield or the quality traits of Hanwoo steers. The lightness, redness, and yellowness of the longissimus muscle of Hanwoo steers were higher in T6.7 than in other treatments (p < 0.05). Cohesiveness, gumminess, chewiness, and resilience were lower in T6.7 than in other treatments (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: The results of the present study indicate that supplementation with tapioca residue does not exert any negative effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat composition in Hanwoo steers. However, as the dietary level of tapioca residue increased, the intake of concentrate intake decreased, and tapioca supplementation greater than 6.7% did not substantially improved the marbling score.