This study analyzed slaughter data from 350,363 Hanwoo cattle processed between 2022 and 2024. To assess the contribution of carcass traits to auction and total prices, cattle were classified into three carcass weight groups: Upper (≥ mean + 0.5 SD), Average (within mean ± 0.5 SD), and Lower (≤ mean – 0.5 SD). The overall descriptive statistics indicated moderate levels of backfat thickness, muscle area, carcass weight, and marbling score, corresponding to mid-range auction and total prices. Within each group, steers exhibited significantly higher values for carcass weight and marbling score, while cows had higher values for backfat thickness and eye muscle area. Seasonal effects on carcass traits were evident, with backfat thickness being thickest in winter and eye muscle area larger in spring and winter. Carcass weight and marbling score were significantly higher in winter across all groups. The slaughter year also influenced carcass traits, with 2024 showing the highest values for eye muscle area, carcass weight, and marbling score across most groups. Phenotypic correlation analysis revealed that marbling score had the strongest positive correlation with auction price, while both carcass weight (r = 0.79) and marbling score (r = 0.78) showed strong positive correlations with total price. Contribution analysis showed that marbling score was the primary determinant of auction price, while marbling and carcass weight dominated total price. The relative importance of traits varied across weight groups, indicating differentiated effects by category. These findings suggest that improving marbling and optimizing carcass weight management are key strategies to enhance the economic value of Hanwoo beef and provide practical guidance for breeding and farm management.
Lee et al. (Tue,) studied this question.