Abstract

Fattening performances for three age groups (G1=12-24, G2=25-36 and G3=37-48 months) were compared under the same feeding management to recommend the best possible age of culling of Horro Friesian crossbred bulls to boost the benefits of dairy farmers.  The study was conducted for a finishing period of 90 days using the recommended level of concentrate supplementation of 3.5 kg/head/day for finishing Horro-Friesian crossbred bulls. The bulls were fed on Rhodes grass hay under zero grazing system in individual feeding pen. Economic analysis was also made considering the current prices of concentrate ingredients and estimated prices of the bulls.  Though the total weight gain (85.9±5.91 kg) and average daily weight gain (999.4±0.07 g) were higher for the older age groups than the medium (78.3±5.91 kg and 921.1±0.07 g) and younger (81.2±5.91 kg and 954.7±0.07 g) groups respectively, the differences were not significant (p>0.05). The economic analysis also showed non significant differences between the three age groups. Therefore, it is apparent from the study that finishing of the crossbred bulls at early age is advantageous before incurring extra cost in keeping undesirable bulls in the herd. It is also suggested that these excess dairy bulls should be finished before disposal to boost the benefit of dairy farmers from dairy enterprise.

Key words: Horro-Friesian bulls, age of finishing, weight gain, economic evaluation.