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Performance of Botswana composite breed and indigenous breeds under feedlot and grazing conditions

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 November 2017

O. R. Madibela*
Affiliation:
Sebele Station, Dept. of Agricultural Research. P/Bag 0033, Gaborone, Botswana Dept. of Animal Science & Production, Botswana College of Agriculture. P/Bag 0027, Gaborone, Botswana
I. Raditedu
Affiliation:
Sebele Station, Dept. of Agricultural Research. P/Bag 0033, Gaborone, Botswana
T. D. Pelaelo-Grand
Affiliation:
Sebele Station, Dept. of Agricultural Research. P/Bag 0033, Gaborone, Botswana
J. Macala
Affiliation:
Sebele Station, Dept. of Agricultural Research. P/Bag 0033, Gaborone, Botswana
B. M. Mosimanyana
Affiliation:
Sebele Station, Dept. of Agricultural Research. P/Bag 0033, Gaborone, Botswana
*
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Extract

The Botswana Composite Breed (BCB) was developed by Dept. of Agricultural Research to mitigate problems of small herds that could not sustain crossbreeding programs. The breed has 47.5% Sanga, 22.6% Zebu and 29.9% Bos taurus blood. Indigenous Tswana cattle are 40% of the national herd (Masilo and Podisi 2001), indicating an erosion of local genetic material. Tswana cattle are small framed and are prejudiced by the Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) weight-based pricing system in favour of large-framed cattle. Lack of carcass characterization of indigenous cattle contributes to the above situation. The aim of this study was to evaluate performance of BCB and other indigenous breeds under feedlot and grazing conditions in order to promote their attributes.

Type
Poster Presentations
Copyright
Copyright © The British Society of Animal Science 2005

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References

Masilo, B. S. and Podisi, B. 2001. Field Guide to Livestock Breeds in Botswana. Dept. of Agricultural Research. MoA Gaborone Google Scholar
Franke, D. E. 1997 Postweaning performance and carcass merit of F1 steers sired by Brahman and alternative subtropically adapted breeds. Journal of Animal Science 75: 26042608 Google Scholar