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Factors influencing the work done by draught oxen: a study in the eastern hills of Nepal

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

R. Anne Pearson ,
P. R. Lawrence  and
C. Ghimire
R. Anne Pearson
Affiliation:
Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG
P. R. Lawrence
Affiliation:
Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Easter Bush, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG
C. Ghimire
Affiliation:
Pakhribas Agricultural Centre, Pakhribas, Dhankuta District, Koshi Anchal, East Nepal
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Abstract

The work done, distance travelled and body temperature of five teams of oxen ploughing land for winter crops was measured continuously over a 5-h working day. On terraces in East Nepal the cattle worked at slow speeds (about 0·3 m/s). Daily work output was variable and depended on ground and soil conditions and on the man working the team. Estimated daily energy expenditure on working days in October and November was 1·25 to 1·46 × maintenance. Differences between teams were small. No noticeable change in performance occurred over the 5-h work, with the exception of one team which usually worked erratically over the last 2 h. Only one animal showed signs of heat stress during work, when its body temperature increased by 1·8 to 2°C, otherwise body temperature varied little (< 1°C) during work.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 49 , Issue 3 , December 1989 , pp. 345 - 353
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1989

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References

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