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Evaluation of Locally Available Energy Source Feeds on Fattening Performance of Local Oxen and Carcass Analysis in Wolaita, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Zekarias Bassa, Shewangizawu Wolde, Tesfaye Alemu, Melese Yilma, Asrat Terra, Berekt Zeleke and Deibe Gemiyu

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of supplementing Taro (Bolosso-1), Enset corm and Sugarcane stock on feed intake, weight gain and net return of fattening local oxen. Sixteen local un-castrated oxen of about 5 years’ age and average weight of 249 kg were used as Enset corm and Sugarcane. A completely randomized design was used and 4 bulls were allotted to a treatment. The result showed that bulls supplemented with Taro treatment had significantly (P<0.05) higher daily intake of a total dry matter (8.26 kg/bull) and nutrients while the daily intake of fresh grass (5.33 kg/bull) on no supplemented treatment had significantly higher (p<0.05). Bulls supplemented with Taro treatment had significantly (P<0.05) higher average daily weight gain (0.75 kg/bull) and lower feed to gain ratio (11.14). The extent of lean and fat meat per unit of animal implies that the amounts of total value added inform of raw meat in hotels and restaurants exceed 20,080 Birr. This also indicates that the specific value chain actors added more than 100% value for the live cattle that marketed 9500 Birr in the district. The highest and lowest net return was obtained from bulls fed Taro based supplement and sugarcane based supplement, respectively. It was concluded that fattening bulls by using Taro as energy supplement is recommended for the areas where Taro is available and cheap. Market actors that sell raw meat overexploit profit margin belong to producers that need systematic government intervention for efficient benefit share. Introduction Borana beef cattle with appropriate feeding intervention is believed to optimize the economics gains of actors in beef value chain.