Beef production from veld and legume-based pastures. 2. Post-weaning progeny perfomance
1994
Sibanda, S. | Mazoredze, C. | Grant, J.L. (Grasslands Research Station, Private Bag 3701, Marondera (Zimbabwe))
The performance of Nkone X Africander X Hereford steers was studied on four production systems for six calf generations to generate data on the productivity of veld (rangeland) and planted pastures reinforced with sub-tropical legumes. The systems which were evaluated were veld alone as a control, legume reinforced veld, veld supplemented with protein over the dry season, and a planted grass pasture -legume mix. Progeny were maintained on similar systems as their dams but in different paddocks post-weaning. Stocking rates were 3.7ha/animal on the veld-based systems and 1.0ha per animal on the grass pasture-legume treatment. No replacement females were generated from the trial. One-half the number of projeny from each treatment within year were slaughtered at either 2.5 or 3.25 years of age after being supplememnted for 100 days on a high energy concentrate (2kg/head per day: 16.0 per cent crude protein). The animals reared on the grass pasture-legume mix were heaviest at weaning (P0.05), at 18 months (P0.001) and at slaughter (P0.001). They lost the least weight (P0.001) during the dry season. Perfomance of progeny on the other treatments declined in the order: veld + protein veld veld + legume. The cattle slaughtered at 3.25 years of age were heavier, had larger carcasses, were fatter and better fleshed than those slaughtered at 2.5 years of age. All the variables measured tended to improve with each successive crop. Male progeny produced significantly (P0.001) heavier, leaaner and better fleshed carcasses than females but lost relatively more weight during the dry season (P0.05).
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