Effect of breed and initial body weight on daily weight gain of Simmental Ongole Crossbred Cattle and Ongole Grade Cattle

The research was aimed to observe the influence of the breed and the initial body weight on the daily gain of Simmental Ongole crossbred (SimPO) and Ongole grade (PO) cattle in a feedlot system. The research was conducted for three months, used 12 SimPO and 12 PO (age ranged at 1.5-2.5 y), fed by concentrates and King grass. Cattle were grouped as: (I) SimPO <300 kg; (II) SimPO >300 kg; (III) PO < 300 kg; and (IV) PO >300 kg. Feed consumption, average daily gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and feed cost per gain were observed and analyzed using ANOVA. The results showed that ADG, FCR, and feed cost per gain were significantly (P<0.05) influenced by different breeds and initial body weight, while feed consumption was significantly (P<0.05) influenced by initial body weight. There were interactions between breed and initial body weight on feed consumption, FCR, and feed cost per gain. The highest FCR and feed cost per gain showed in group IV. SimPO had higher ADG than PO. Cattle < 300 kg had higher ADG than > 300 kg. Ongole grade > 300 kg were less efficient to be used as feeder cattle in feedlot system. © Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd.