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The effect of different stocking rates on the weight gain of Ankole steers on natural grassland in Western Uganda

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

D. D. Thornton  and
G. N. Harrington
D. D. Thornton
Affiliation:
Animal Health Research Centre, Ministry of Animal Industry, Game and Fisheries, P.O. Box 24, Entebbe
G. N. Harrington
Affiliation:
Animal Health Research Centre, Ministry of Animal Industry, Game and Fisheries, P.O. Box 24, Entebbe
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Summary

Stocking rates of 3, 6 and 9 acres per 2- to 3-year old steer on Acacia-Cymbopogonj Themeda complex pasture in Ankole, Uganda, demonstrated that 3 acres per head gave significantly lower individual live-weight gains, but that there was little difference between 6 and 9 acres over a 6-year period. Although cattle grazed at 3 acres averaged only 175 lb per head per annum, compared with 207 lb at 6 acres per head, the income was Sh. 34 per acre compared to only Sh. 20–50 at 6 acres per head. At 9 acres/head the return was Sh. 13–50 an acre.

A comparison of a 2 paddock/1 herd system with continuous grazing revealed no differences in production, despite the heavier capital investment involved in the former system. Growth rates at all three stocking rates were similar for most of the year, but in the dry season when all the cattle lost weight those stocked at 3 acres per head suffered the greatest losses (50–60 lb) and those at 9 acres per head the least (20–30 lb).

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 76 , Issue 1 , February 1971 , pp. 97 - 106
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1971

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References

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