Further studies on the voluntary food intake of Bos Indicus, Bos Taurus and crossbred cattle

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Abstract
SUMMARY 1. The voluntary dry-matter intake, water intake and rate of live-weight gain of indigenous, exotic and crossbred cattle on low- and medium-roughage diets have been compared under similar conditions of management. 2. At similar live weights and on similar diets exotic cattle usually have a higher food intake than indigenous animals. 3. When roughage was freely available the voluntary dry-matter intake of both types of cattle increased. 4. Water intake was closely related to dry-matter intake and varied with the nature of the diet. The ratio of water to dry-matter intake was not affected by live weight and varied only slightly between the different types of cattle. 5. Exotic cattle were generally more efficient than indigenous cattle of comparable live weight in converting food into live-weight gain; crossbred animals were intermediate. It is suggested that this largely reflects their higher intake of food relative to their maintenance requirement. 6. One group of indigenous animals that were initially mature but under weight gained weight as quickly, and converted their food as efficiently, as did exotic animals.