Growth Performance Of Crossbred Cattle BBB × Crossbred Zebu And Senepol × Crossbred Zebu In Khanh Hoa Province
The study aimed to evaluate the growth performance and feed conversion of two crossbred cattle combinations: BBB × Lai Zebu and Senepol × Lai Zebu in Khanh Hoa province. A total of 100 crossbred calves were used, with 50 animals in each group, consisting of 25 males and 25 females per cross. The calves were monitored and evaluated for body weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed cost from birth to 18 months of age. The results showed that the BBB × Lai Zebu crossbred group outperformed the Senepol × Lai Zebu group in terms of both body weight and weight gain. At 18 months of age, the body weights of the BBB × Lai Zebu and Senepol × Lai Zebu groups were 473.91 kg and 412.19 kg, respectively. The average daily weight gain from birth to 18 months was 825.15 g/head/day for the BBB × Lai Zebu group and 715.21 g/head/day for the Senepol × Lai Zebu group. The feed conversion indicators per kilogram of weight gain for the two crossbred groups were as follows: dry matter intake (DMI) was 8.4 kg and 8.8 kg; metabolizable energy (ME) was 16.8 and 17.7 Mcal; and crude protein (CP) intake was 830.0 g and 855.3 g for the BBB × Lai Zebu and Senepol × Lai Zebu groups, respectively. Consequently, the feed cost per kilogram of weight gain was 40,871 VND and 43,775 VND, respectively, showing a cost difference of 2,903 VND. The results indicate that both crossbred combinations have potential for improving beef productivity, especially under appropriate feeding conditions. However, the BBB × Lai Zebu crossbred group showed a growth performance advantage over the Senepol × Lai Zebu group.
