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Bangladesh. Bang. J. Anim. Sci., 2007, 36 (1 & 2), Fattening Practices of Selected Farmers in
24-32. Panchagarh District. Bang. J. Anim. Sci., 2007, 36
(1 & 2), 62-72.
The present study was carried out at the Nucleus
Herd of Red Chittagong Cattle (RGC) in This experiment was conducted to investigate the
Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU) to cattle fattening programmes of rural farmers in
analyze the genetic potential of RCC for Birth Panchagarh district of Bangladesh through field
weight (BW), Lactation length (LL), Lactation survey. Data were collected through interview
milk yield (LMY), Lactation fat yield (LFY) and schedule personally from 30 farmers in three
Fat % (FP). Data were recorded on 18 RCC calves villages of sadar upazilla involved in cattle
and on their lactating mothers. Means and standard fattening before Eid-ul-Azha in 2007. Parameters
errors, heritabilities and breeding values of the studied were the socio-economic conditions of the
aforementioned traits were estimated using farmers, factors associated with cattle fattening,
different computer programs. Birth weight of calf daily routine activities, feeding and marketing
averaged 15.00+0.59 kg, the averages of LL, system of fattening cattle, problems of fattening
LMY, LFY and FP were 242.17±8.33 days, cattle and cost benefit analysis. In this study 40%
516.94±35.89 kg, 24.09±1.59 kg and 4.73±0.01 % of the farmers had primary level of education and
respectively. Heritability estimates using animal 20% had no education. About 56.7% of the farmers
model restricted maximum likelihood (REML) used cattle of 2-3 years of age and 36.7% of the
principle for BW, LL, LMY, LFY and FP were farmers used cattle of 1-2 years age. About 70%
0.45±1.37, 0.39±0. 16, 0.27±0.11, 0.33±0.28 and farmers used bulls and 70% farmers had an
0.38±0.15 respectively. Calf bearing Tag no. 092 average of 1 -4 cattle for fattening. Fattening
showed highest breeding value (2.782) for BW period of 3-6 months and 7-12 months were
whereas, cow bearing Tag no. 009 ranked first for reported by 60% and 30% of the farmers,
most of milk production traits such as LL (25.513), respectively. Separate houses for cattle were
LMY (79.687) and LFY (3.958). While cow no. provided by 86.7% of the farmers. About 63.4% of
013 became first for FP (0.248) only. The results the farmers washed their cattle in ponds and rivers
of the study indicate that RCC possesses promise regularly. About 76.7% of the farmers had short
for development through long-term breeding training on livestock rearing and 80% farmers
program. In other words, the estimated dewormed their cattle before starting the fattening
heritabilities could be used for the prediction of program. About 96.6% of farmers reported
breeding values of Red Chittagong Cattle to take shortages of animal feed and 86.6% reported lack
selection decision based on their estimated of credit as the major problems of cattle fattening.
breeding values. The adopted quantitative Average total cost, sale proceeds and net profits
methodology as such could be applied for the were 7528, 9542 and 2055 Taka/cattle
operation of cattle breeding and development respectively. The farmers earned a profit of 27.3%
programs of Bangladesh in general. on their total investment. Small scale cattle
fattening programs could be recommended as an
471 BEGUM, M.A.A.; HOSSAIN, M.M.; income generating activity for the rural farmers of
KHAN, M.; RAHMAN, M.M. & RAHMAN, Bangladesh.
S.M.E. (Dept. of Animal Science, Bangladesh
Agricultural University, Mymensingh). Cattle
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