Cost effectiveness of feeding cattle fed rice straw with concentrates

Cattle genotypes and adoption of new feeding technology are necessary forimproving beef cattle production and managing efficiently beef productioncosts. A study was conducted to determine the effects of cattle genotypesand levels of concentrate supplements on cost effectiveness of feedlot beefproduction in a Complete Randomized Block Design in 3x4 factorialarrangements with 4 replications. Feeds were urea-treated rice straw(UTRS: 4%, w/w) and concentrates made from decorticated cottonseedcake (66%) and maize bran (34%). The experimental animals were Ankole(AA: n=16), Ankole Friesian (AF: n=16) and Ankole Sahiwal (AS:n=16) steers. Proxy indicators used to determine profitability andlikelihood of economic viability were Initial and Final values of carcassexisting abattoir price (RwF 1800/kg beef); Break-even scenarios usingWhat-if Analysis in Excel, 2010; and Gross Margin (GM). Resultssuggested that cost effectiveness of feedlot beef did not differ (p>0.05) bygenotype; but they differed (p<0.05) by diets. it is concluded that beeffeedlots using utrs was marginally economical at 500g/day ofconcentrate supplements. a policy incentive to reduce breakeven price(bep) is suggested.