Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

• Pirouz Shakeri ¹
• nader asadzadeh ²
• Sayyed Mahmoud Nasrollahi ³
• Mahdi Nikbakhti ⁴
• Amirali Shakeri ⁵

¹ Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO),

² Member of Scientific Board

³ Animal and Poultry Production and Reproduction Research Department, Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO)

⁴ University Of Zabol

⁵ Veterinary student of Islamic Azad University, Karaj Branch

Abstract

The objective of this study was to compare feedlot performance between crossbred male Simmental×Holstein (S×H) and purebred Holstein (H) calves over a 6-month in hot and humid conditions of Iran. For this purpose, 17 male calves (181.4±42.30 kg BW) including 10 H and 7 S×H male were assigned to one of the two treatments in the national research and development cattle station of Gawdasht in the suburbs of Babol. The calves were kept individually in the cages (3×3 m) and were fed two times daily in equal portions at 8:00 and 16:00 with total mixed ration. The results showed that in the 6-month fattening period, there was no difference in the average dry matter intake of S×H calves and H calves, however, the average daily gain of S×H calves was 1.508 kg/d and higher (P=0.02) than H calves (1.190 kg/d). Feed conversion ratio in S×H calves (6.25) was better (P=0.02) than H calves (7.73). All of measured nutrients digestibility were higher in H calves than S×H calves (P=0.02). Also, there was no difference in the concentration of blood parameters of urea, urea nitrogen, triglyceride, total protein and serum albumin between S×H and H calves. It was concluded that in a fattening period of 6 months, S×H calves had 26.7% more weight gain, and 19.2% better feed conversion ratio compared to H calves with the same feed intake. Therefore, cross-breeding can be a successful strategy to improve beef production via produce commercial calves.

Keywords

• "cross breed"
• "performance"
• "Simmental"
• "terminal cross"
• "Holstein calves"

Main Subjects

• Animal and poultry management