Exploratory study of growth performance of Harar, Ogaden, Arsi, and Jersey × Horro crossbred bulls fed corn silage based finishing diet

Abstract

This exploratory study was conducted to determine the growth performance of bulls from Harar, Jersey×Horro crossbred, Arsi, and Ogaden cattle breeds fed a corn-silage based finishing diet. A total of 12 bulls, 3 from each breed, were used for the study. A completely randomized design (CRD) was implemented to assign experimental bulls in a breed factor arrangement of treatment. The results of the study revealed that the breed of cattle had a significant (p<0.05) influence on final body weight, change in body weight, and average daily weight gain (ADG). The ADG was higher (p< 0.05) for Harar (0.65 kg/day) and Ogaden (0.63 kg/day) breeds compared to Jersey×Horro crossbred (0.49 kg/day), and Arsi (0.49 kg/day) breed. The body weight was significantly (p < 0.001) and accurately predicted from Heart girth (R2 = 94.07%) and body length (R2 = 82.50%). From the study, it was concluded that finishing young Ogaden and Harar breeds using corn silage and concentrate can improve growth performance and economic benefit and have attained the weight demand for the export market.