Effect of Different Level of Molasses Inclusion on Feed Intake, Body Weight Gain and Carcass Parameters of Afar Bull

Abstract

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing different levels of molasses concentrates mix with a basal diet of cultivated pasture hay on intake, body weight and carcass quality of Afar bull. The experiment included three bulls in each group and a total of 12 bulls with mean initial live weight of 158 ± 1.20 kg, were used for the experiment in a complete randomized block design (RCRD). The experiment was consisted of 180 days of feeding trial followed by carcass evaluation. The concentrate mix were 2:1 (wheat bran and Cotton seed cake) The CP content of the cultivated hay, concentrate mix and molasses were 9.16, 25.2, and 3.8 %, respectively. Results showed that, the mean final weight for Tx1, Tx2, Tx3, Tx4 were 271.65Kg, 255.83kg, 243.79kg and 239.50 respectively. Significant differences in daily body weight gain and final body weight among the treatment were observed but carcass parameters were not significantly recorded. The Tx1 and Tx2 have a tendency to achieve a higher average daily weight gain (ADG), final body weight, hot carcass weight and feed conversion efficiency compared with Tx3 and Tx4. From the present study, it can be concluded that, the inclusion of 20% molasses in the diet of a mixed ration of Afar bulls can be finished with good performance without adverse effect on health. Further studies are required on the effects of age and feeding duration on carcass characteristics of Afar bulls.