Feed Intake and Feed Conversion Ratio of Ongole Crossbred Cattle Fattened at Different Ages and Feed

Abstract

This research aimed to determine the effect of the dietary treatments and age on the fattening process in cattle. Thirty-six Ongole crossbred cattles were allotted into two different dietary treatments and three different age groups, with six replications for 24 weeks period, 4 weeks of preliminary followed by 20 weeks of data collection at the Beef Cattle Research Station (BCRS). The experimental design was completely randomized with a 2 x 3 factorial. The cattle were placed in individual pens and had ad-libitum access to water and feed, the feeds were elephant grass and concentrate (25:75). The parameters observed were liveweight, DM intake, feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency, IOFC, and BCR. Liveweight was measured every fortnight and feed intakes were measured daily. The results showed that a 10% substitution of DGGS with cassava did not affect all parameters observed. Age did not affect the total gain. Total DM intake increased with age, although percentage of DM intake on liveweight and efficiency decreased with the increasing age. All parameters observed for 18 months old group were better than those in 30- and 42-months old groups. It was concluded that the fattening process at 18 months old PO cattle was the most profitable. Keywords: Ongole crossbred, cattle, intake, FCR, age