TITLE:
Growth Performance of Arsi, Borana, Harar and HF-Crossbred Bulls Finished under Similar Feeding Condition
AUTHORS:
Ahmedin Abdurehman Musa, Yesihak Yusuf Mummed, Mohammed Yusuf Kurtu, Melese Temesgen, Travis Gene O’Quinn, Umer Seid Geletu
KEYWORDS:
Weight Gain, Body Condition Score, Change in Linear Body Measurement
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Animal Sciences,
Vol.12 No.2,
March
8,
2022
ABSTRACT: The study was conducted to evaluate the fattening
performance of Arsi, Borana, Harar and Holstein Friesian crossbred bulls
finished under a similar feeding condition at the beef farm in Haramaya
University. The average daily weight gain of
the four breeds ranges from 0.49 to 0.71 kg. Feed conversion efficiency also ranges from 0.11 - 0.15. Simple linear regression models were
used to explore the relationship between live body weight change and change in
body condition score as well as seven linear body measurements for all age
groups. An average change for a unite of body condition score was equivalent to
20.3, 20.61, 22.42 and 27.78 kg for
Borana, Arsi, Harar and Holstein Friesian crossbred bulls
respectively. Body condition score was significantly influenced by breeds.
There was a significant breed by age interaction effect on the initial body condition score of the four
breeds. There was a significant and positive strong association between
change in body weight and body condition score. There was a significant and
strong correlation between change in body weight and change in Total topline,
neck length, heart girth, flank circumference and rump length having
correlation coefficients ranges from 0.57 to 0.97. A higher net profit of
7380.47 ETB per head was recorded by Borana bulls followed by Harar bulls, Arsi
and Holstein Friesian crossbred with net profit of 5406.86, 5193.29 and 3384.98 ETB per head
respectively. Borana bulls are more
superior in weight gain and net profit. Bodyweight change could be
predicted based on body condition score change during the fattening period.