Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.

org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) DOI: 10.7176/JBAH
Vol.9, No.14, 2019

Evaluation of Different Feeding Options for Yearling Arsi Bulls to

Attain Export Market Weight
Aman Gudeto, Tesfaye Alemu, Mieso Guru, Ashebir Worku and Genet Dadi
Ethiopia Institute of Agriculture Research (EIAR)
Oromia Agriculture Research Institute (IQQO),
Adami Tulu Agriculture Research Center (ATARC), P.O.Box 35, Zeway, Oromia

Abstract
The study was conducted on station at Agricultural Research Center on Arsi bulls. Twenty four bulls were
purchased from the surrounding area. The study objectives were to evaluate and indentify the most economical
feeding options for yearling Arsi bulls for them to attain export market weight demand and evaluate the carcass
characteristics. Three feeding treatments were evaluated during the feeding period and eight bulls randomly
assigned to each of the three treatments. The result of the fattening trial revealed that there is no significant
difference in final body weight and carcass characteristics among the bulls received the dietary rations.
Furthermore, the study indicated that the yearling Arsi bulls fed on the three dietary rations did not attain export
market weight in 238 days of feeding. Therefore, their growth performance should be further evaluated with
other feeding options to know their fattening potential. Partial budget analysis of the bulls was not significant
difference among the treatments, any of the feeding options can be used depending on availability of the
ingredients in the area.
Keywords: Yearling Arsi bulls, Market body weight, Carcass characteristic
DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-14-01
Publication date:July 31st 2019

1. INTRODUCTION
Livestock is an important sector in both highland mixed smallholder farming and low land agro-pastoral systems
(Ayeneshet et al., 2018). The sector contributes about 15% of the total export earnings and 30% of the
agricultural employment. Despite the importance of cattle among the farming communities and to the national
economy at large, this sector has remained under-developed and, in many cases, underutilized (Gebretnsae et al.,
2017).
The average Ethiopian beef yield per animal of 135 kg is by far less than 146 kg for Africa, and 205 kg for
the whole world (Negassa et al., 2011; Yesihak and Webb, 2015; Zekarias, 2016). The total herd off take is
estimated at 7% annually for cattle, 33 and 37% for sheep and goats, respectively. In Ethiopia, the current per
capita consumption of meat is 13.9 kg/year, being lower than the African and the world per capita averages,
which are 27 and 100 kg/year, respectively (Tsigereda et al., 2016). This is due to the fact that livestock
production in Ethiopia is subsistence oriented and characterized by low performance.
Currently, the government is trying to expand sector to meet the increased meat demand from both foreign
and domestic markets. However, this could not be fully realized as the traditional livestock fattening practices
are not mostly market oriented (Belay and Menale, 2017). Previous effort work regarding fattening of beef cattle
at different research centers is less targeted for export market weight demand. To solve the underlying
constraints, different demand driven research proposals were developed by different agricultural research
institutes to come up with feasible and promising fattening technologies for end users. Evaluation of different
breeds and age groups has played a vital role improving body weights and the country’s foreign currency earning
by exporting meat and live animals (Mieso et al., 2013; Girma et al., 2015; Tesfaye A.T et al., 2017). In this
regards, effects of different feeding options for yearling Arsi bulls targeting export market weight demand is not
yet studied. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate and identify most economical feeding options for Arsi
cattle bulls to attain export market weight demand (250 – 300 kg) and yield quality carcass characteristics.

2. MATERIALS AND METHODS

2.1. Description Study site
The experimental was conducted at Adami Tulu Agricultural Research Center, which is located in mid rift
valley at 167 km from Addis Ababa, at altitude of 1650 m above sea level. The agro ecological zone of the area
is semi-arid and sub humid with acacia woodland vegetation type. The mean annual rain fall is 760 mm and its
mean minimum and maximum temperatures are 12.6 and 270c, respectably.

2.2. Experimental animals

A total of twenty four yearling Arsi bulls were purchased from Meki and Bulbula markets of the East Shoa Zone
of Oromia Region. Purchased bulls were kept under quarantine in separate barn and they were treated against

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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) DOI: 10.7176/JBAH
Vol.9, No.14, 2019

internal and external parasites before the commencement of the fattening trial. All experimental bulls were
randomly assigned to one of the three dietary treatment groups.

2.3. Dietary rations and its ingredients

Dietary rations were formulated from different feed ingredients, namely molasses, wheat bran, Noug seed cake,
maize grain and cotton seed cake. Three dietary rations were formulated in such a way that they contain similar
amounts of energy and protein. The rations were:
1. Rhodes grass hay + 20% molasses + 40% wheat bran + 40% Noug seed cake,
2. Rhodes grass hay + 20% maize grain + 45% wheat bran + 35% Noug seed cake and
3. Rhodes grass hay + 35% cotton seed cake + 65% wheat bran. DM, total CP and TDN content of
the experimental feeds are depicted in Table 1.
Table 1: Ingredients and chemical composition of the dietary rations
Dietary ration Ingredient DM% CP% TDN%
Molasses (5.8, 72) 20 1.16 14.40
T1 Wheat bran (13, 67) 35 5.52 26.80
Noug seed cake (27, 72) 45 11.9 26.40
Total 100 18.58 67.6
Maize grain (10, 85) 20 2.00 17.00
T2 Wheat bran (13, 67) 45 5.85 30.15
Noug cake (29.75, 66) 35 10.41 23.10
Total 100 18.26 70.25
Wheat bran (13, 67) 65 8.45 43.55
T3 Cottonseed cake (28, 75) 35 9.80 18.25
Total 100 69.8
T= Treatment, DM=Dry matter, CP= Crude protein, TDN=Total digestible nutrient

2.4. Feeding the experimental bulls

Grass hay was provided adlibtum for all the experimental animals. Every day, all bulls were supplemented with
concentrate feeds at the rate of 2.5% of their body weight throughout the fattening period. The amount of feed
offered for bulls were adjusted every two weeks depending on weight change during feeding period. All
experimental animals were individually fed with their corresponding rations for 21 days of adaptation and 238
days of feeding. Daily allocated feed per bull was divided into two equal amounts and offered twice per day, half
in the morning and the remaining half in the afternoon.

2.5. Growth performance calculation formula

TWG = FBW – IBW

Where: ADG = Average daily weight gain, TWG = Total weight gain, FBW = Final body weight, IBW =
Initial body weight and D = Total of fattening days

2.6. Carcass characteristics

At the end of the fattening period, nine bulls were slaughtered at Adami Tulu Agriculture Research Center
slaughter house then the animals were skinned, all important internal organs such as kidney, heart, liver, lung,
spleen, empty gut, heart fat, kidney fat, mesenteric and omental fat were eviscerated and the required carcass
parameters were individually measured. The hot carcass was dissected symmetrically into right and left part. The
right side carcass was set into cold chill room at - 4oc for 24 hours, after which the carcass was measured again
to evaluate the difference in weight change between hot and cold carcass of each slaughtered bull. To evaluate
the chilled carcass characteristics, the right part of each slaughtered bull was cut into five major carcass
parameters.

2.7. Partial budget analysis

All variable costs incurred in conducting the trial were recorded. Total variable costs such as animal purchase,
transportation, feeds, labor and veterinary costs were included in partial budget analysis. At the end of the
fattening period, the gross output/revenues were obtained from prices of the bulls as estimated by the help of
people who have enough knowledge on the prices of fattened animals. Fixed costs incurred for feeding the
animals were not included in cost benefit analysis.

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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) DOI: 10.7176/JBAH
Vol.9, No.14, 2019

2.8. Statistical analysis

Data on all live weights and carcass parameters were analyzed using the general linear model (GLM) of
Statistical Analysis System (ver. 8). The estimated least squares means were separated using the Duncan’s
Multiple Range Test at P< 0.05.

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1. Effect of dietary rations on growth performance
Growth performances of the experimental bulls were analyzed at 60 days, 120 days and 238 days of fattening
period. Final body weight, total and average daily weight gains of the bulls on these days are depicted in Table
2.
Table 2: Effect of dietary rations on growth performance of the bulls in each treatment
Fattening days Weight T1 T2 T3
First day IBW (kg) 106.8 106.2 108.3
FBW (kg) 155.4±4.7 158.7±4.6 156.6±4.6
60 days TWG (kg) 48.5±2.7 52.5±2.7 48.3±2.7
ADG (g) 866.8±48.3 937.5±48.4 862.3±48.3
FBW (kg) 202.1±5.2 201±5.6 185.5±5.2
120 days TWG (kg) 95.2±3.1a 96.8±3.3a 77.1±3.1b
ADG (g) 618.5±20.3a 628.9±21.7a 500.8±20.3b
FBW (kg) 239.7±6.5 239±6.9 220.2±6.5
238 days TWG (kg) 132.8±4.8a 134.8±5.1a 111.8±4.8b
ADG (g) 558.3±20.2a 566.6±21.6a 470.1±20.2b
IBW = Initial body weight, FBW = Final body weight, ADG = Average daily weight gain, TWG = Total weight
gain
The results show that there is no statistically significance difference in final body weight at all the three
weighing days among the three treatments (T1, T2 & T3). This is similar to the finding of Mieso et al., (2013)
who conducted similar study on the yearling Borana bulls. Similarly, Girma et al., (2015) reported that the three
dietary rations have similar effect on final body weight of two years old Borana bulls. Total and average daily
weight gains of these yearling Arsi bulls were significantly different among the three treatments at 238 days of
fattening. In previous studies (Mieso et al., 2013; Girma et al., 2015; Tesfaye A.T. et al., 2017) conducted on
yearling Borana bulls, two years old Borana and Kereyu bulls fed similar dietary ration, no significant
differences were reported in total weight gains among the treatment groups.
The current average daily weight gains of these Arsi bulls at the end of the fattening period is less than the
finding of Girma et al., (2015) who reported a daily weight gain of 777 g/day for Borana bulls in 224 days of
fattening period. Furthermore, this study indicated that the yearling Arsi bulls did not attain export market body
weight demand in 238 days of fattening period. However, yearling Borana bulls which were fed similar diets
reached export market body weight demand within 224 days of fattening (Mieso et al., 2013). This difference
may be attributed to naturally short skeletal dimension of Arsi cattle than Borana cattle breed.

3.2. Effects of dietary feeds on carcass components

The result of carcass evaluation of the bulls fed on the three different feed rations is illustrated in Figure1. In this
trial, there were no significant differences in hot carcass and cold carcass among the three treatments. However,
the carcass weight of bulls assigned to treatment one was higher than that of the other teatments. This finding
was similar to the finding of Tesfaye A.T. et al., (2017) for two years old kereyu breeds fed the same dietary
rations. Furthermore, hot carcass weight of the expermental bulls was slghtly higher than that of the cold
carcass.

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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) DOI: 10.7176/JBAH
Vol.9, No.14, 2019

Figure 1: Carcass weight of yearling Arsi bulls

3.3. Effects of dietary feeds on edible organs and dressing percentage

Effects of the dietary rations on edible organs of the slaughtered bulls are indicated in Table 3. The mean
weights of edible organs of the bulls are not significantly different among the bulls fed the three dietary rations.
This result may associated with the fact that the bulls received the same percentage of total CP and TDN which
might have the same effect on carcass characteristics of the bulls. This finding is similar with what is reported
by Mieso et al., (2013) for one year-old Borana bulls, by Girma et al., (2015) for two years old Borana bulls and
by Tesfaye A.T. et al., (2017) for two years-old Kereyu bulls.
The dressing percentages of these bulls was comparable to the dressing percentage of two years old Kereyu
bulls (56.3%), Ogaden bulls (56%) but slightly lower than that of the two years old Borana bulls (61%) reported
by Tesfaye A.T. et al., (2017), Yosep et al., (2011) and Girma et al., (2015), respectively. Though there was no
statistical difference, the dressing percentage of bulls in treatment one was higher than that of the bulls in
treatment two and three.
Table 3: Effects of different feeding options on edible organs of the bulls (kg)
Carcass parameters T1 T2 T3
Tongue 0.83±0.08 0.81±0.08 0.83±0.1
Heart 0.9±0.06 0.85±0.064 0.78±0.1
Heart fat 0.9±0.16 0.8±0.16 0.7±0.16
Kidney 0.5±0.02 0.45±0.02 0.45±0.02
Liver 3.7±0.2 3.8±0.23 3.4±0.22
Hump 4.9±0.49 3.9±0.5 5.1±0.4
Empty Gut 6.4±0.43 4.7±0.4 5.8±0.43
Dressing % 59.6 58.8 56.4

3.3. Partial budget analysis

Table 4: Partial budget analysis of fattening yearling Arsi bulls
List of items T1 T2 T3 Overall
Feeds costs per bull (ETB) 8825 9250 9100 9058.333
Purchasing price per bull(ETB) 3000 3000 3000 3000
labor cost per bull(ETB) 694.2 694.2 694.2 694.2
Vet cost per bull (ETB) 93 93 93 93
Total variable cost per bull(ETB) 12612.2 13037.2 12887.2 12845.53
Total gross output per bull(ETB) 16500 16500 16000 16333.33
Gross margin per bull(ETB) 3887.8 3462.8 3112.8 3487.8
Total gross margin (ETB) 31102.4 27702.4 24902.4 27902.4
ETB=Ethiopia birr
The result of partial budget analysis of fattening the yearling Arsi bulls is given in Table 4. The analysis
indicates higher gross margin per animal (31102.4 ETB) for experimental bulls fed dietary feed one than those
fed dietary feed two (27702.4 ETB) and dietary ration three (24902.4 ETB). The results are similar with the
results obtained from partial budget analysis of feeding two years old Borana bulls (Girma et al., 2015). The
bulls fed treatment three diet were less profitable as compare to those fed treatment one and two diets.

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Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare www.iiste.org
ISSN 2224-3208 (Paper) ISSN 2225-093X (Online) DOI: 10.7176/JBAH
Vol.9, No.14, 2019

4. CONCLUSION
Twenty four yearling Arsi bulls were randomly assigned for three dietary rations and kept on feeding for 238
days. Growth performances of the bulls were assessed during the fattening period. There is no statistically
significant difference in final body weight and in the most of the carcass characteristics which may be correlated
with similarity of the bulls both in breed and age. Moreover, the same percentage of total CP and TDN were
provided for all the experimental bulls. The yearling Arsi bulls did not attain export market weight in 238 days
of feeding. Hence it needs to see other feeding options that would enable the bulls to attain the export market
body weight demand in the shortest possible fattening period. However, numerically bulls fed on ration one are
more profitable than bulls fed on rations two and three. Therefore, any beef cattle fatteners can preferably use
feeding treatment one to fatten yearling Arsi bulls for local markets. However, as there were no significant
differences in major parameters among the treatments, any of the feeding treatments can be used depending on
the availability of the feed ingredients in the targeted area.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The authors are grateful to Ethiopia Institute of Agriculture Research, for providing funds for the experiments.
We are very grateful to Oromia Agriculture Research Institute for creation linkage between Ethiopia institute of
Agriculture Research and Adami Tulu Agriculture Research Centre. We would like to extend our appreciation to
Adami Tulu Agriculture Research Centre for technical support us during conducting study.
COMPETING INTERESTS
Authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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