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GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CALVES IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN
Abstract
Data from Feed Lot Fattening farms: operating under Livestock and Dairy Development Board; having at least one buffalo calf were collected for analyzing comparative performance of buffalo-calves for beef production. A total of 1408 animals present in 56 farms scattered over eight districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were studied. In order to control for the variables that could potentially affect the growth but the data for which is not available e.g. ambient temperature and humidity, nature of green fodder, ingredients of concentrates, the model is augmented with location, year and specie specific fixed effects. The model fitted the data and suggests 30 percent of the variation in the daily weight gain as explained by variation in the independent variables. Mean weight at purchase were 139.4 +/- 1.77 and 131.4 +/- 1.40 kg of buffalo and cattle calves which fattened over a mean period of 94 days at different seasons in two years. The species, over the fattening period, gained mean weight of 70 and 72 kg for which the farmers received extra Rs. 3211.8 and Rs. 3030.6 per buffalo and cattle calf, respectively. The study estimates the effect of specie (buffalo and cow), year (2007 and 2008), location of farm (the eight districts), initial calf weight and season on the growth performance measured as daily weight gain of cows and buffaloes. The growth model while controlling for other variables, suggests that daily weight gain during winter is higher as compared to other seasons. However, the effect of herd size and specie on daily weight gain is non-significant. On overall, the combined effects of location and year on daily weight gain are significant implying that overlooking these effects in the analysis may result biased estimates similar to omitted variable in regression analysis.
... In present study, average daily weight gain in male and female calves was 804g and 728g respectively. The ADG had also been reported previously as 752g [19] and between 700-800g [20] in different feeding trials while in another two studies the ADG was observed 782g and 841g [21]. These values were closer to our findings. ...
Fourteen growing Kundi buffalo calves, 11-12 months of age were fed for a period of 120 days in ordinary village condition. The animals were divided into male and female (7 of each) groups of an average weight 158±9.92 and 140±7.15 kg respectively. Experimental diet offered was formulated with corn yellow grain, rice grain, rapeseed meal, cotton seed cake, molasses cane, calcium carbonate, dicalcium phosphate, urea, salt, mineral premix and wheat bran with 14.03% crude protein and 55.06% Total Digestible Nutrient. Animals were fed on ration contained 2 kg experimental diet and wheat straw ad-lib along with 5kg chaffing green maize fodder for each animal. The calves were weighed fortnightly intervals and average daily weight gain (ADG), in male and female, was recorded. There was no significant difference in ADG although male buffalo calves had numerically higher ADG (0.804 vs 0.728) than female. Dressing percentage, boneless meat, lean meat, bone, fat and other tissues in male and female were 52.5% and 51%; 77.5 and 76; 59% and 58.5%; 22.5% and 24%; 12.9 and 11.5; 5.6 and 6 respectively. Likewise, crude protein (20.8% vs 20.8%) and moisture in lean meat (74.55% vs 74.5%) of male and female were similar. It is concluded that there was no significant difference in ADG and carcass characteristics between male and female buffalo calves.
... Calves are improperly reared, resulting in a poor growth rate (415 g/d) at the age of one year, and a body weight of 70-100 kg having a 42-43 dressing percentage, resulting in improper fattening before their slaughter (Afzal et al., 2009). However, Ahmad et al. (2013) reported that a weight gain of 766 g/day could be achieved in cattle calves through improved feeding methods. ...
Male cattle calves (n=24), 9-12 months age, with an average body weight of 120 ± 20 kg were fed total mixed rations (TMR) for 120 days to determine their growth performance. Animals were divided into four groups (six of each breed): Crossbred (Friesian × Sahiwal), Dhanni, Lohani, and Cholistani. The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance techniques under a completely randomized design. The average daily gain (ADG), feed efficiency (FE), and dressing percentage ranged from 639-892 g/d, 0.105-0.155 kg/kg, and 51.2-51.5%, respectively, in the different breeds. The ADG and FE did not differ between the Crossbred, Dhanni, and Lohani breeds, but these values were lower in Cholistani calves (P<0.05). The dressing percentage was similar in all breeds. The highest increase in body height was observed in Dhanni calves, but heart girth was obviously higher in Lohani calves. The feed cost per kg gain was higher for Cholistani calves but similar among Crossbred, Dhanni, and Lohani calves (P>0.05). In conclusion, Dhanni, Lohani, and Crossbred calves possess the promising potential for beef production under the rainfed (Barani) conditions of the Punjab.
Proceedings of the First International Conference and Industrial Exhibition on Dairy Science Park at Peshawar, Pakistan
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