Comparative Evaluation of the Fattening Performance of Fogera and Adet Old Oxen at Andassa Livestock Reseach Center, Ethiopia
Adebabay Kebede 1, Addisu Bitew 1, Tewodros Bimrew 1, Asresu Yitayew 1, Yihalem Denekew 1, Yeshiwas Ferede 1, and Getinet Zeleke 2
1 Andassa Livestock Research Centre, P.O.Box 27, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
2 Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute, P.O.Box 1790, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
2 Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute, P.O.Box 1790, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
Abstract—This study was conducted at Andassa Livestock Research Center to evaluate the fattening potential of two breeds of cattle in Amhara region and evaluate the economic feasibility of feed treatments. Twenty four (12 Adet and 12 Fogera) old oxen were evaluated for a period of 90 days allotted to three different feeding levels. The experimental oxen were blocked by weight and randomly assigned to the different concentrate feeding levels. Analyses were involved 2 by 3 factorial arrangements with breed and feed level groups respectively. Hay was provided as a basic ration adlibitum. Dry matter intake, body weight, and body condition were recorded. Analysis of results showed that except for total acid detergent fiber intake and total neutral detergent fiber intake, least square means were significant between treatments (P<0.01; P<0.001). Total TDMI per day was also highly significant between breeds and feeding levels (P<0.01). The feed conversion efficiency of the experimental animals were not significantly different (P>0.05) consistently between breed, treatment and the interaction between breed and feeding level. Final body weight and weight gain and average daily gain of experimental animals were highly significant between breeds (P\<0.01). The Net return (ETB head -1 per 90 days) for Fogera oxen was 2811.92, 4474.84 and 4799.76 for 2 kg, 4 kg and 6 kg concentrate feeding levels respectively. The Net return (ETB head -1 per 90 days) of Adet oxen were 2849.92, 2561.84 and 1949.76 for 2 Kg, 4 kg and 6 kg concentrate feeding levels. The study indicated that the economical fattening period for fogera cattle is 10 weeks. The results of this study indicated that Fogera oxen has higher fattening potential compared to Adet oxen in terms of weight gain, average daily gain and economics of fattening(gross return, net return and marginal rate of return. From the results of this study it is wise to recommend 2 kg and 5.1 kg of concentrate ration supplementation per day for Adet and Fogera cattle breed respectively. Besides, given the same feeding regime, it is recommended that Fogera cattle should be fattened for 75 days excluding the adaptation period than the conventional 3 months.
Index Terms—Adet, Amhara Region, Fogera, Fattening Performance and Total Dry Matter Intake
Cite: Adebabay Kebede, Addisu Bitew, Tewodros Bimrew, Asresu Yitayew, Yihalem Denekew, Yeshiwas Ferede, and Getinet Zeleke, "Comparative Evaluation of the Fattening Performance of Fogera and Adet Old Oxen at Andassa Livestock Reseach Center, Ethiopia," International Journal of Pharma Medicine and Biological Sciences, Vol. 2, No. 4, pp. 65-75, October 2013.