Effects of feeding level, season of calving and body weight on performance and carcass traits of Friesian x native calves

Extract

Forty-two weaned calves( Friesian X Native) of 100 Kg body weight were used in this study to estimate the most appropriate feeding level for calves reared under the upper Egypt conditions. The experimental farm of Animal production department, Faculty of Agriculture, El-Minia University, Egypt, was the farm where this work was conducted. Calves (21 males and 21 females) were randomly alloted into three equal groups fed on concentrate mixture (44% wheat bran, 19% yellow maize, 12.5% cotton seed meal, 12.5% cotton seed hulls, 5% extracted rice bran, 4% molasses, 2% lime stone and 1% sodium chloride) and rice straw in quantities that meet 80 , 100 and 120% of the averaged feed standerds (Kellner, 1926; Morrison,1957; T'ommi,19S3; ARC, 1979 and NEC, 1984). Barseem (Trifolium Alexandrinum),the popular green clover was included in the diet to represent 50% of the roughage portion(1 % of the body weigi when it was available. The concentrate mixture was offered twice dail at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. while rice straw was introduced once daily at 8 a.m. . Water was freely available. The feeding period was extended til the males achieved 400 Kg body weight and slaughtered, while females were kept for breeding.