Estimated of optimum slaughter age and slaughter weight of the Holstein x South Anatolian Red bulls

Şefik MÜFTÜOĞLU; Çetin EŞCAN; Celal TOPRAK

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Estimated of optimum slaughter age and slaughter weight of the Holstein x South Anatolian Red bulls

Şefik MÜFTÜOĞLU ,Çetin EŞCAN ,Celal TOPRAK

- This investigation was carried out to determine the optimal feed to time and slaughtering weight for Holstein x Southern Anatolian Red (H x SAR) crossbred bulls. Fifty five feeder cattle were obtained from Maraş Livestock Research Station and assigned to three age groups of 6 – 9 months (Group I), 9 – 12 months (Group II) and 12 – 15 months (Groups III) at the start of the experiment.

The experiment, lasted 135 days. Weights of the bulls were taken every two weeks and feed consumption data were recorded daily.

The increases in average daily gain contiuned until 90 th day in group III and until 105 th day in group I and II.

Feed consumptions of the animals were increased as the experiment progrened. Feed efficiencies were highest in group I and lowest in group III. Average values were increased in each groups as the time progressed.

Optimal feeding lenghts of the bulls were 105 days for group III and 130 days for group II. The feed lot length coult be expanted beyond 135 days.

The results obtained indicated that the feeding of crossbred bulls were economical up to the live weight of 340 kg, that the bulls should be slaughtered at this weight. Keywords :