The effect of supplementary feeding on the work output and physiological response of indigenous cattle in an oil palm plantation

Abstract

The effect of supplementary feeding on the work output, respiratory rate and diurnal rectal temperature of Sanga and West African Shorthorn (WASH) cattle working on an oil palm plantation was studied. Supplementary feed intake of the Sanga was 2.8 kg while that of the WASH was 2.4 kg. The average bodyweights of the Sangas and the WASH were 328 kg and 256 kg at the beginning and 348 kg and 262 kg at the end of the trials respectively. Supplementation had no significant effect on work output under the prevailing liberal grazing conditions of the trial. The respiratory rates of the Sangas and the WASH at work when given supplements were 38 and 51 breaths/min respectively and 35 and 41 breaths/min when they were at work without supplementation. The rectal temperature was significantly higher (P<0.05) after work in both breeds with and without supplementation. However, no significant difference (P>0.05) in the rectal temperature was noticed between the two breeds after work. The average weight of bunches of oil palm fruits carried by a bullock cart per day was 2.03 tonnes while that of a wheel barrow used by human porters was 1.61 tonnes. It was more economical to use bullock carts than wheel barrows.


(Ghana Journal of Agricultural Science, 1996, 29(2): 39-50)