Ahmad et al. The Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences, 23(1 Suppl.

): 2013, Page:Plant
J Anim 98-102
Sci, 23(Sup 1): 2013
ISSN: 1018-7081

GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF CALVES IN KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA, PAKISTAN

Ahmad, S.1, Z. U. Haq2, G. Jabbar3, Y. Muhammed1, S. Sultan1, Ihsanullah1 and D. Khan1
1
Department of Livestock Management, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar; 2Department of
Agricultural Economics, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Agricultural University Peshawar; 3Livestock & Diary Development
Board Peshawar

ABSTRACT
Data from Feed Lot Fattening farms: operating under Livestock and Dairy Development Board; having at least one
buffalo calf were collected for analyzing comparative performance of buffalo-calves for beef production. A total of 1408
animals present in 56 farms scattered over eight districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were studied. In order to control for the
variables that could potentially affect the growth but the data for which is not available e.g. ambient temperature and
humidity, nature of green fodder, ingredients of concentrates, the model is augmented with location, year and specie
specific fixed effects. The model fitted the data and suggests 30 percent of the variation in the daily weight gain as
explained by variation in the independent variables. Mean weight at purchase were 139.4 ±1.77 and 131.4±1.40 kg of
buffalo and cattle calves which fattened over a mean period of 94 days at different seasons in two years. The species,
over the fattening period, gained mean weight of 70 and 72 kg for which the farmers received extra Rs. 3211.8 and Rs.
3030.6 per buffalo and cattle calf, respectively. The study estimates the effect of specie (buffalo and cow), year (2007
and 2008), location of farm (the eight districts), initial calf weight and season on the growth performance measured as
daily weight gain of cows and buffaloes. The growth model while controlling for other variables, suggests that daily
weight gain during winter is higher as compared to other seasons. However, the effect of herd size and specie on daily
weight gain is non-significant. On overall, the combined effects of location and year on daily weight gain are significant
implying that overlooking these effects in the analysis may result biased estimates similar to omitted variable in
regression analysis.
Key words: Buffalo calves, feed-lot fattening, growth performance.

INTRODUCTION pastures. Mortality is unusually higher, particularly

among the young-born calves. Except the crossbred
Water buffalo evolved under the sub-humid and female-calves, calves raising is considered un-economical
subtropical climate upon the river-beds and associated in view of the high cost of milk and non-availability of
marshy soil of Indian sub-continent. Different breeds milk-replacer. The survived male calf-crop is generally
developed majority of them are milch type. In addition to sold to local traders for butchering. No collective
milk production contributes 1.3, 2.8, 24.4, 26.9, 0.6, 21.2 commercial set up has yet in operation for protecting this
and 51.8% of the total meat in world, Asia, India, tender crop for upcoming fattening and replacement
Pakistan, china, Egypt and Nepal, respectively operation.
(FAOSTAT, 2007). Feedlot fattening program in the province was
Increasing population pressure, land mandated to introduce a transition from subsistence and
fragmentation and changing food habits emphasize to partially grazed farming to on-stall commercial beef
produce more meat and other livestock products. Under farming and inculcate a beef farming culture. Farmers are
the conventional mixed farming system, beef is a by- taught beef-farming techniques which are economically
product of both lactating and draft animals and after rewarding too. More than 1600 farmers at 18 different
completing their productive life, animals are consumed districts of the province were selected for feedlot beef
for meat. Buffaloes are the major source (FAOSTAT, fattening. The selected farmers were only allowed to keep
2007) of meat and Punjab is the habituating the larger at least 10 calves aging above one-year for a minimum
population. People in Punjab do not relish buffalo-beef; period of 3-4 months offering an affordable amount of
therefore the slaughtering animals are brought to adjacent concentrates.
province of North-Western province and coastal city of Majority of the fattening stock are purchased
Karachi for consumption. Although non-estimated, but a from local markets. As no proper beef breed exists,
considerable trucks of animals are taken across border to however, Friesian-crossbreds, which are rarely available,
Afghanistan for slaughtering. are favoured over others. Majority of the local cattle
Buffalo and cattle breeds in Khyber breeds are either single purpose or a few are dual
Pakhtunkhwa are local-evolved. They are either fed at purpose. Among the buffalo calves majority belong to the
stall or pastured at the constant degrading ranges and five available breeds of the country i.e., Neli-Ravi, Neli,

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Ahmad et al. J Anim Plant Sci, 23(Sup 1): 2013

Ravi, Kundi and Azikheli. Due to non-availability of only year was found effective variable affecting daily
proper implements and mechanization culture, greater growth rate in calves.
reliance was inevitably placed on efficient labour The external environmental factors are
management. Labour-efficient housing was another major becoming increasingly important (Keeney, 1997;
intervention aiming proper animal comfort. Bontems and Thomas, 2000). Five capital assets available
The current study focusing analyzing beef to rural communities, that is human, physical, natural,
production potential of buffalo calves under feedlot social and financial capitals, differ among farmers are
system in comparison to cattle calves. The study further needed to optimally exploit to the extent of capabilities of
analyzes the newly introduced system for its the farming community (Bebbington, 1999) for
performance, management factors and the economic successful beef farming.
return. The models used for analyses for daily growth
rate included fixed effects of location, year of fattening,
MATERIALS AND METHODS season of fattening and specie. Since the model uses
cross-sectional data, tests for normality of the errors were
Data extended over a period of two years (2006- carried. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences
2008) was collected from a total of 1408 animals present (SPSS 10) was used for these analyses.
in 56 buffalo-calves (male) containing herds scattered
over eight districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Table 1). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
These herds were registered and operating under the
extension and support services of the Livestock and Dairy A total of 1408 calves belonging cattle and
Development Board. Information regarding initial and buffalo species, having both sexes, kept under feedlot
final weights; fattening period; prices at purchase and fattening program were studied. These calves reared
selling; year and part of the growing period were utilised distributed among 56 farms scattered over eight different
for analysis. The year was distributed in to five seasons: districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under different batches.
winter (Dec-Jan); spring (Feb-Apr); hot summer (May- The growth performance of calves, factors affecting the
Jun); wet summer (Jul-Sep); fall (Oct-Nov). The effect of growth rate and some economic aspects of beef farming
location (district) was taken as variable and fitted in to is presented.
the model. Data were edited for outliers prior to analyses.
Growth performance: Growths in buffalo calves were
Table 1 shows the number of observations,
higher (P<0.001) than the cattle calves as given in Table
mean, standard deviations and minimum and maximum
2. Mean initial body weight of buffalo and cattle calves
values for variables affecting daily growth performance
were 139.4 and 131 kg respectively. The daily weight
in calves. Season affected growth performance. Summer
gain achieved during the growth period was similar i.e,
(both hot and wet) yielded the best results, followed by
752.1±5.87 and 766.3±4.83 for buffalo and cattle calves,
fall and spring. Except a few exceptions, wet summer
respectively. The p-value for this 0.059, though not
gave the best results for calf growth. Winter was found as
significant but still a trend toward significance is there,
the least suitable season for beef production. Calves
indicating more capability of cattle calves to attain higher
growth has been variable among districts which can be
weight gain per day. However, the difference in weights
understood considering the availability of
at sale between the two species was due to the different
vegetation/fodder-crops. Abbotabad, which receives more
initial weights of buffalo and cattle calves. All these
than 1000 mm rainfall annually, nicely spread over the
calves had age above one year as per requirement of the
year, provides abundant green vegetation for cutting. This
programme. The additional weight obtained during the
is followed by Swabi, has vast ranges situated on the
growth period of 94 days, was 50% more than their initial
river bed, providing sufficient vegetation during spring,
body weights. This clearly shows that the growth
summer and fall months. Growth performance in other
potential of the local stock has not been exploited and any
districts is almost similar except the poor performance at
attempt which could harvest the optimum potential of
Charsadda and D.I. Khan. D.I. Khan, being semi-arid to
these calves may provide enhance the quality beef to the
arid in climate, has bare plains, providing a poor
market. Literature shows that growth in calves varied
vegetation/fodder supply. Charsadda on the other hand,
widely. Male buffalo calves, having initial body weight
has wide spread canal irrigation system, supporting arable
of 190 kg, grew at an average rate of 520 g /day when
farming of cash crops, leaving no/limited land for fodder
raised on ration containing Sorghum Sudan Hybrid
crops and grazing. Animals under this system mostly rely
known as (Sadabahar) as basal diet (Tahir and Rehman,
upon the agri-residues and wastes like, sugar cane tops,
1987). Pasha, 1986, reported a growth rate of 430 to 700
vegetable residues and leaves, wheat straw, sugar beat
g growth rate in male buffalo calves having initial live
leaves and pulp, maize thinning etc. Year, specie and
weight of 142 kg, grown on rice straw, rice husk and
herd size were among the other variables tested; where
maize cobs. Other workers in Pakistan (Pasha and Tahir,

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Ahmad et al. J Anim Plant Sci, 23(Sup 1): 2013

1985; Pasha, 1987; Jabbar and Iqbal, 1993; Jabbar et al., calves) but expensive at sale (55.7±0.48 vs 50.9±1.03 for
1993) found the daily growth rate of 780 to 1010 g per buffalo and cattle calves). The data imply poor marketing
day in calves when selected at initial body weight ranging skills of the farmers rather than the inference that calves
from 116 to 188 kg. Basra, 1992, reported growth rate in at tender age costs more per kg than at later ages
buffalo calve ranging form 549 to 728 g per day when regardless of their good finish. Knowledge of marketing
grown on medium-protein high-energy diets. Growth rate techniques and skills are expected to improve income,
in cow calves have been sufficiently studied. Yearling which in turn might stimulate investment (Whiteside,
male calves from Sahiwal and (Friesian x Sahiwal) 1998.)
crossbreds having initial body weight of 180 kg, grew at Calves, regardless of the species were equally
a rate of 0.94 and 0.97 kg per day respectively (Asrar, rewarding and provided a gross difference of
1986). Basra, (1992) reported that crossbred (839-869 g 3211.8±144.23 and 3030.6±270.11 PKR for buffalo and
per day) calves perform better than Sahiwal (795-805 g cattle calves, respectively. The daily variable costs
per day) than buffalo (751-781 g per day) calves when including, feeding, housing, health, labour and
grown on similar fattening diet in a trial. Mohsin et al., miscellaneous cost, if found less than 35.9 PKR per calf,
(1995) found cow clave better than buffalo calves in would be a profitable activity. In case the daily expenses
growth performance (796 g vs 566 g/day in cattle and per calf are equal or exceeds this limit, may result in
buffalo calves, respectively). . In Indonesian farmers unprofitable/loss-making activity. In a study carried out
generally breed Friesian Holstein crossbreed (FHC) under Pakistani conditions during 2004, the feed cost
females with superior bulls like Simmental, Limousine, alone was (25%) i.e., Rs. 17 per kg live weight gain,
Brahman, Charolais, Hereford and Brangus. The feedlots when beef was pricing Rs. 70 per kg (Ahmad, et al.,
obtain an average daily weight gain of 1.2 (1.0–1.3) kg. 2004. At present the feed cost are much higher and the
By contrast, the growth rate of crossbred calves the local situation demands the combination of animal and feed
breed ‘Peranakan Ongole’ grow with an average daily giving maximum growth and profitability. The break
weight gain of 0.6 kg (Hadi et al., 2002). even point under the Indonesian conditions for average
Economic aspects of beef farming are given in daily weight gain is 0.8 kg (Hadi et al., 2002).
Table 3. Purchase and sale prices of calves from both
Factors affecting growth rate in buffalo calves: Results
species were similar. Calves were purchased at a mean
of the regression analysis are given in table 4. The cross-
price of 8241.1±116.97 and 8072.7±94.22 PKR, and sold
sectional nature of data when applied, the model fitted the
at a mean price of 9021.8±207.52 and 8463.1±225.91
data. The independent variables, given in table 3, affected
PKR, respectively. Despite the fact that there is no
daily growth rate in buffalo significantly. The estimated
tradition of marketing calves based on their body
R-Squared suggests that 30.3 percent of the variation in
weights, however, price per kg of body weight highly
growth rate of buffalo calves is explained by these
differed (P<0.001). Buffalo calves were cheaper at
variables.
purchase (59.2±0.41 vs 61.5±0.36 for buffalo and cattle

Table 1: Descriptive statistics of daily weight gain (g) in response to different variables.

Variable Observations Mean Std. Dev. Min Max

Buffalo 651 752.1 149.85 135.4 1239.1
Season
Winter 81 569.0 161.64 206.2 880.4
Spring 62 748.8 158.53 511.1 1095.2
Wet summer 553 789.6 115.53 144.6 1239.1
Hot summer 76 792.1 96.647 543.5 967.4
Fall 616 765.8 131.02 135.4 1120
District
Abbottabad 28 880.0 84.86 741.6 1044.9
Charsadda 179 700.4 135.09 381.8 1064.5
D.I. Khan 35 713.0 118.60 351.6 880.4
Haripur 187 759.1 110.75 511.1 1239.1
Mardan 597 765.9 124.24 135.4 1120.0
Nowshera 129 771.1 204.17 206.2 1171.1
Peshawar 171 756.8 177.86 144.6 1239.1
Swabi 82 812.7 81.38 648.9 927.8

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Ahmad et al. J Anim Plant Sci, 23(Sup 1): 2013

Table 2: Description of some performance/biological parameters of feedlot fattening farms (Mean±SE)

Variable Buffalo Cattle Level of Sig.

Initial body wt (kg) 139.4±1.77 131.4±1.40 0.000
Final body wt (kg) 209.4±1.99 203.5±1.53 0.016
Wight gain (kg) 70.0±0.52 72.1±0.44 0.003
Growth period (days) 93.6±0.30 94.3±0.24 0.094
Daily wt gain (g) 752.1±5.87 766.3±4.83 0.059

Table 3: Description of some economic parameters of feedlot fattening farms (Mean±SE)

Buffalo Cattle Level of Sig.

Purchase price (PKR) 8241.1±116.97 8072.7±94.22 0.257
Sale price (PKR) 9021.8±207.52 8463.1±225.91 0.106
Purchase price per kg 59.2±0.41 61.5±0.36 0.000
Sale price per kg 55.7±0.48 50.9±1.03 0.000
Gross difference per calf/batch 3211.8±144.23 3030.6±270.11 0.520

Table 4: Estimates of the daily weight gain function worked out using ordinary least squares

Logarithm of the variable Coefficient Standard Error 95% Conf. Interval P-value
Winter 106.709 20.408 66.674 146.744 0.000
Spring -58.210 36.503 -129.817 13.398 0.111
Hot summer -42.599 31.610 -104.606 19.409 0.178
Wet summer -25.838 30.840 -86.336 34.660 0.402
Fall -45.150 28.821 -101.688 11.388 0.117
Abbottabad (dropped)
Charsadda -135.706 17.201 -169.448 -101.964 0.000
D.I. Khan -61.821 44.737 -149.581 25.939 0.067
Haripur -138.486 18.693 -175.156 -101.817 0.000
Mardan -124.726 17.917 -159.873 -89.578 0.000
Nowshera -89.543 20.418 -129.596 -49.490 0.000
Peshawar -114.799 21.191 -156.369 -73.229 0.000
Swabi -83.586 19.252 -121.351 -45.820 0.000
Year -371.758 25.996 -422.755 -320.762 0.000
Buffalo 1.653 7.176 -12.425 15.730 0.818
Herd size -0.019 0.153 -0.318 0.281 0.903
Constant 936.101 34.159 869.093 1003.110 0.000
Linear regression statistics
R-squared 0.3026 R-squared adjusted 0.295 F-statistics 0.000.

The estimated model implies that spring, hot starter and conventional rations in buffalo
summer, wet summer and fall, despite its negative sign, suckling calves Pakistan Vet. J., 24(4): 169-172.
are statistically non-significant. Winter, on the other hand Asrar, H. (1986). Comparative beef potential of male
significant affected the trait. All districts affected had buffalo calves and cow calves. M.Sc. Thesis,
variable response to growth, probably due to their varied Dept. Nutr. Uni. Agric. Faisalabad.
ecological placement and cultural practices. The specie Basra, M. J. (1992). Growth response in buffalo male
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non-significant factors. However, year differences 2nd Annual Report of Animal Nutrition Centre,
significantly affected daily growth rate in buffalo calves. pp: 91-100, Dera Chahl, Lahore.
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