Assessment of commercial feedlot finishing practices at eastern Shoa, Ethiopia

Tsegay Teklebrhan, Mengistu Urge

College of Agriculture, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia.
College of Agriculture, School of Animal and Range Sciences, Haramaya University, Dire Dawa, Ethiopia;.

DOI: 10.4236/ojas.2013.34041                

Abstract

This study was conducted to characterize and identify husbandry practice and major constraints of commercial feedlot industries in the study area. Forty eight commercial feedlot farms were used to collect data. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The results showed that, livestock species such as cattle, shoat and camels were used in commercial fattening though significant variation in demand among species. Cattle had got the highest acceptance in feedlot industries followed by shoat, however, camel and swine had least preference. All cattle breeds were granted equal requirement by domestic market. However, there is variation in demand among cattle breeds for export market. Boran was the most preferred cattle breed compared to the rest of cattle by the importers. Uncastrated bull demanded for export market however, castrated and female cattle were not used for export markets. Pastoralists were the potential supplier of feeder livestock followed by small holders to feedlot industries. Teff straw was predominantly used roughage feed in most of commercial feedlot farms and agro-industrial by-products as a source of concentrate. However, sorghum and maize grains were utilized by very few farms. Vitamin and mineral supplementation were not often available except common salt in all feedlot rations. Market was noted as the most potential constraints followed by feed and type of livestock coming to the markets in the commercial feedlot industries. The study suggested that, government and other development partners should provide and improve all services to pastoralists or producers in an organized way at their localities to ensure sustainable supply of livestock to the market.

Keywords

Constraints; Fattening; Livestock

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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