Maciel S., Amimo J., Martins M., Okeyo A.M., Scholtz M.M., Neser F.W.C.
Department of Animal Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, UFS, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; International Livestock Research Institute, Biotechnology Theme, South Africa; REMOC, Lda, Posto Fomento do Impaputo, South Africa; ARC-Animal Production Institute, Irene, South Africa
Maciel, S., Department of Animal Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, UFS, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa; Amimo, J., International Livestock Research Institute, Biotechnology Theme, South Africa; Martins, M., REMOC, Lda, Posto Fomento do Impaputo, South Africa; Okeyo, A.M., International Livestock Research Institute, Biotechnology Theme, South Africa; Scholtz, M.M., ARC-Animal Production Institute, Irene, South Africa; Neser, F.W.C., Department of Animal Wildlife and Grassland Sciences, UFS, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
The objective of this study was to compare the growth performance of two Nguni ecotypes and its crosses (Nguni x Landim) raised under the same feedlot conditions at the Posto Fomento do Impaputo, in southern Mozambique. Live weight feedlot data, from entry to marketing, were collected every fortnight between 1999 and 2009 from 453 oxen of the Nguni and Landim male ecotypes, as well as the crosses. Year-season of birth had significant effects on live weight at entry in the feedlot and at marketing age. Overall means for average age at entry in the feedlot was 31.8 ± 4 months, with the Landim being younger than the Cross (p=0.07). The average live weight at entry in the feedlot was 390 ± 42.5 kg, with no differences between ecotypes (p>0.05). Males born in dry year-seasons were heavier than males born in wet years-seasons (p<0.0001 to p<0.05).The average age at marketing of the Nguni ecotypes was 34.4 ± 5.08 months, with the Landim being younger (p<0.05) than the Cross. The average live weight at marketing was 446 ± 42.2 kg. The average live weights at entry and at marketing were higher in dry years-seasons than in wet years-seasons. There were no differences between ecotypes for average daily gain (0.89 ± 0.79 kg) in this study. Growth rates for the feedlot in the Nguni cattle obtained in this study were substantially lower than that obtained for the Ngunis in South Africa albeit they entered the feedlot at a much older age. This study demonstrates that in Mozambique feedlot industry is still underdeveloped with main constraints on feed resources, especially concentrates.