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Fattening studies with cross-bred (European×Zebu) bulls: 1. Performance on diets of native hay and concentrate

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

P. B. O'Donovan ,
A. Gebrewolde ,
B. Kebede  and
E. S. E. Galal
P. B. O'Donovan
Affiliation:
Animal Production Section, Holetta Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Research, P.O. Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
A. Gebrewolde
Affiliation:
Animal Production Section, Holetta Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Research, P.O. Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
B. Kebede
Affiliation:
Animal Production Section, Holetta Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Research, P.O. Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
E. S. E. Galal
Affiliation:
Animal Production Section, Holetta Research Station, Institute of Agricultural Research, P.O. Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Summary

Two group-feeding and one individual-feeding experiments were made for 112 and 182 days, respectively, with 76 cross-bred and eight Zebu bulls. Simmental, Friesian and Jersey sire breeds were mated to three Ethiopian Zebu breeds, namely Boran, Horro and Barca, while Zebu bulls were included for comparison purposes in Expt 3. The trials were conducted in confinement at Holetta Research Station, located at 2400 m elevation and having a mean maximum temperature range of 18·7–24 °C. In the group-feeding trials (Expts 1 and 2) a common diet was fed, consisting of native hay (30%) molasses (20%) and a concentrate supplement. In the third experiment, two diets containing 30 and 50% native hay were supplemented by concentrate and fed individually to eight Simmental and eight Friesian cross bulls, while eight Zebus served as a control.

The average daily gains, feed intake and conversion did not differ markedly between Simmental and Friesian crosses, but lower values were generally found for Jersey crosses. Cross-breds outgained Zebus, consumed more feed and converted it more efficiently to live-weight gain. Performance differences were noted between the Zebu breeds as well as some evidence of sire × dam breed interactions. Significantly higher gains were achieved with the low than with the high roughage diet.

Type
Research Article
Information
The Journal of Agricultural Science , Volume 90 , Issue 2 , April 1978 , pp. 425 - 429
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1978

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