Selection of suitable crossbred cattle for beef fattening program in Dhaka district of Bangladesh

Abstract

Background: This study evaluated four crossbred cattle groups used for beef fattening in Dhaka district, Bangladesh, by comparing production performance, feed intake, feed cost, daily meat value, and profit. The objective was to identify the crossbred group most suitable for commercial beef fattening under farm conditions.

Methods: Data were collected at Sadeeq Agro Farm, Dhaka, from April to July 2023, around the Eid-ul-Azha marketing period. Forty cattle were assigned to four breed groups (n=10 each): Holstein Friesian×local, Brahma×local, Sahiwal×local, and Red-Sindhi×local. Data were analyzed in SPSS version 26.0 by one-way ANOVA under a completely randomized design, and mean differences were separated using Duncan's multiple range test at P<0.05.

Results: Holstein Friesian×local cattle had the highest body weights at both 2-3 years (742.70±23.79 kg) and 3-4 years (903.90±17.68 kg). Brahma×local cattle achieved the highest average daily weight gain (0.68±0.02 kg/day), daily meat value based on weight gain (576.40±19.29 BDT/day), and profit (248.05±21.06 BDT/day). Holstein Friesian×local cattle consumed the most roughage (14.70±0.30 kg/day) and concentrate (5.30±0.15 kg/day) and had the highest feed cost (380.50±10.42 BDT/day), whereas Red-Sindhi×local cattle had the numerically lowest feed cost (313.50±9.13 BDT/day).

Conclusion: Among the four crossbred groups, Brahma×local cattle offered the most favorable balance of daily gain, feed cost, daily meat value, and profit. Brahma crossbreds therefore appear suitable for beef fattening when breeding is managed through controlled mating and supported by appropriate feeding.