Abstract
Fattening performances for three age groups (G1=12-24, G2=25-36 and G3=37-48 months) were compared under the same feeding management to recommend the best possible age of culling of Horro Friesian crossbred bulls to boost the benefits of dairy farmers. The study was conducted for a finishing period of 90 days using the recommended level of concentrate supplementation of 3.5 kg/head/day for finishing Horro-Friesian crossbred bulls. The bulls were fed on Rhodes grass hay under zero grazing system in individual feeding pen. Economic analysis was also made considering the current prices of concentrate ingredients and estimated prices of the bulls. Though the total weight gain (85.9±5.91 kg) and average daily weight gain (999.4±0.07 g) were higher for the older age groups than the medium (78.3±5.91 kg and 921.1±0.07 g) and younger (81.2±5.91 kg and 954.7±0.07 g) groups respectively, the differences were not significant (p>0.05). The economic analysis also showed non significant differences between the three age groups. Therefore, it is apparent from the study that finishing of the crossbred bulls at early age is advantageous before incurring extra cost in keeping undesirable bulls in the herd. It is also suggested that these excess dairy bulls should be finished before disposal to boost the benefit of dairy farmers from dairy enterprise. Key words: Horro-Friesian bulls, age of finishing, weight gain, economic evaluation.
Highlights
With estimated cattle population of 52 million (World Watch Institute, 2013) of which more than 38% is contributed by Oromia, Ethiopia ranks first in Africa and 10th in the world
Dairy cattle genetic improvement program was initiated to enhance milk production in the country. This involved the introduction of exotic dairy cattle breeds and crossbreeding with indigenous zebu cattle to improve genetic potential of the indigenous breeds, and subsequently to enhance the development of dairy sector in Ethiopia
Though the total weight gain (85.9 5.91 kg) was higher for the older age groups, the gain was at decreasing rate from 30 days of the fattening period on wards but for the lower and medium age groups the rate of gain was at increasing rate up to 60 days and increases at decreasing rate after (Figure 1)
Summary
With estimated cattle population of 52 million (World Watch Institute, 2013) of which more than 38% is contributed by Oromia, Ethiopia ranks first in Africa and 10th in the world. Owing to the different technical, socioeconomic and policy constraints, the contribution of the sector is very low even when compared to most of the sub saharan African countries. Dairy cattle genetic improvement program was initiated to enhance milk production in the country. This involved the introduction of exotic dairy cattle breeds and crossbreeding with indigenous zebu cattle to improve genetic potential of the indigenous breeds, and subsequently to enhance the development of dairy sector in Ethiopia. Among the beneficiaries of the crossbreeding programme, the smallholder dairy farms located in the western Oromia regional state could be mentioned, albeit the intervention is quite insignificant as compared to the demand of crossbreds in the area. Survey in urban and peri-urban areas of seven major towns in Oromia (Ulfina et al, 2013) revealed high demands for dairy and dairy
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