This document discusses calf fattening in Pakistan. It notes the increasing demand for meat due to population growth, urbanization, and rising incomes. Per capita meat consumption in Pakistan has risen from 11 kg in 1983 to a projected 47 kg in 2020. The majority of beef production comes from traditional, inefficient systems involving young calves. The document advocates for commercial feedlot systems to finish calves on balanced diets to higher weights to produce quality beef. It provides details on feedlot design, selection of animals, feeding, and management. Feeding trials demonstrated growth rates of over 1 kg per day. Commercial feedlot systems can yield good profits but farmers must sell processed, high quality meat through organized markets.
2. Background
Increase in demand of animal origin food due to:
– Population growth
– Urbanization
– Income growth
– Changing consumer preferences
– Export potential
3. Per Capita Meat Consumption (KG)
1983-2020
Countries
1983
1993
2020
Developed world
74
76
83
Developing world
14
21
30
Pakistan
11
16
47
Source: Delgado, et al 1999, Livestock to 2020 The Next Food Revolution & GOP 2003, TCP-Pak0168: Livestock Action Plan Draft Report MINFAL
4. Per Capita Meat Consumption
Source
Kg
Beef
7.26
Mutton
4.80
Poultry meat
2.90
Total
14.96
7. Beef Production Systems
Traditional & Inefficient
Slaughtering of Baby Calves
Calves raised 60-80 kg (on unbalanced diet)
End of Career Animals
Emergency Slaughter Animals
Limited Commercial Fattening Activity
8. Quality Beef Production
Maximum weight gain
Obtain high proportion of muscles
having desirable eating characteristics
Cut based marketing
15. Selection of Animals
Urban Markets /
Remote Villages
Healthy animals
Age of Calves
Weight above
average of that
age
Cow / Buffalo
calves
Live weight basis
29. Performance of Calves
Parameters
No. of animals
Days on experiment
Av. Initial wt., kg
Av. Final wt., kg
Av. Total wt. gain, kg
Av. Daily wt. gain, kg
Av. Daily ration consumed,
kg
Av. Ration required / kg gain
Dressing Percentage
Buffalo
Calves
10
112
152.14
258.0
105.86
X-bred
Calves
10
112
157.42
272.71
115.29
0.945
7.11
1.03
7.52
7.52
51.43
7.30
54.48
33. Fodder + Concentrate
Supplement
Fodder 10% of body weight
• Concentrate – 1% of body weight
• Growth rate – 700-800 g/ day
• Cheaper and more suitable for rural
areas
•
35. Conclusion
Feeding of calves for 90-100 days on
medium energy diet yield excellent
growth rates.
The profit margin is about 15-20.
Farmer should sell quality meat after
proper processing and packing
through organized sales
outlet/exporters.