Performance of draught cattle in communal farming areas in Zimbabwe after dry season supplementation.
Sixty-four pairs of oxen owned by smallholders were randomly allocated to one of 3 supplementary treatments offered at one kg per head per day from July to October or to a control where no supplement was offered. The supplements were maize stover plus silverleaf hay (2:1 w/w), urea-treated maize stover (50 g urea/kg stover) and plain maize stover. Animals fed plain maize stover or no supplement lost weight (6 to 7% of initial weight), whilst those fed the other 2 supplements maintained their liveweights. Supplementation reduced time spent on feeding activities by 10 per cent. Animals fed on urea-treated maize stover or maize stover plus silverleaf hay ploughed at speeds that were 29% faster than oxen on the other treatments and covered 45% more area. Blood parameters indicated a general deficiency of nitrogen intake throughout the dry season. It was concluded that supplements of good quality have the potential to improve the working ability of communal area oxen.
Ndlovu
L R
LR
Department of Animal Science, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Francis
J
J
Hove
E
E
D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000592:standards*; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D002417:Cattle / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005527:Food, Fortified / Q000592:standards; D006400:Hematocrit / Q000662:veterinary; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011897:Random Allocation; D012621:Seasons; D014508:Urea / Q000097:blood; D015030:Zimbabwe
D001798:Blood Proteins; D006885:Hydroxybutyrates; D014508:Urea; D003404:Creatinine; D020155:3-Hydroxybutyric Acid