Management and production systems of beef fattening in Thakurgaon District

Abstract

The present study was a field survey on the management and production systems of beef cattle fattening in Thakurgaon district. The data were collected through direct interviews schedule from respondent of study area. The findings 46.70% of the farmer middle aged 17.80% young and 35.60% old. The level of education was about 2.20 % illiterate, 54.40 % primary, 26.70 % SSC, 12.20% HSC and 4.4 % higher degree. The Family size of the cattle farmers was about 55.60% small sized family, 25.60 % medium sized family and 18.90 % large sized family. The occupation of farmers was about 53.30% agriculture, 22.20% business, 15.60% service and 8.9% beef fattening. The source of farmers capital for fattening was about 62.20% own, 24.40% bank loan and 13.30% NGO loan. Usually they purchased cattle at the age of 1 to 2 years. The respondents had 15.60% local, 23.30% cross and 61.10% was both of local and cross. Duration of fattening was about 45.60% for 3 months, 43.30% for six months and 11.10% for 1 year. Purchase times of cattle were occasionally 84.40% and all the time of the year 15.60%. About 56.7% respondents had experience for short time. About 66.7% respondents had no Government support, whereas 32.20% had taken Government support. About 51.10% respondents provide extra housing facilities, 49.90% provide no extra housing facilities. About 65.60% respondents had no feed availability whereas 34.40% respondents had availability of feed. Most of the respondents about 62.20% had an opinion that feed cost is fluctuated and 37.80% no fluctuation on feed cost. About 88.90% respondents used vaccine against infectious diseases regularly for their cattle and about 77.80% respondents took help from veterinary surgeon for treatment of their cattle. 57.8% respondents practice stallfeeding, 16.70% respondents practice Extensive. About 25.60% respondents practice

Semi-extensive. The results of this study may be useful for farmers and researchers to

identify

the overall problems and their remedies on feeding, management and marketing related to cattle fattening small scale cattle fattening practice in Bangladesh.