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BEEF CATTLE FATTENING PRACTICES, CONSTRAINTS AND FUTURE

POTENTIALS IN ETHIOPIA: A REVIEW

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Animal Research International (2019) 16(2): 3401 – 3411 3401

BEEF CATTLE FATTENING PRACTICES, CONSTRAINTS AND FUTURE

POTENTIALS IN ETHIOPIA: A REVIEW

BELACHEW, Mebratu Melaku

Department of Animal Production and Technology, College of Agriculture, Woldia University, Woldia,
Ethiopia. Email: sefibahir2009@[Link] Phone: +251912278139

Received: May 18, 2019 Revised: June 14, 2019 Accepted: July 25, 2019

ABSTRACT

Cattle are one of the main livestock production components in Ethiopia wherein 70 % of
its populations are engaging in traditional cattle production. Next to coffee export, cattle
substantially contribute to Ethiopian foreign currency exchanges. The objectives of this
review were to synthesize available information on recent cattle fattening practices,
challenges and future perspective in Ethiopia. Various methods of fattening practices,
feeding systems and feed treatments are conducted by the farmers to feed cattle, reduce
the length of fattening period and boost profits. The review identified that feed shortage,
shortage of initial working capital, disease and output market and shortage of land as the
major constraints of cattle fattening in Ethiopia ranked 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th respectively.
The political reforms and peaceful relationships among the neighboring and Middle East
countries fostering market accessibility for fattened cattle. The use of mobile drone
technology to supply vaccines and establishment of agro-processing industries could also
significantly shift the traditional fattening to a market-oriented commercial fattening
system and enhance the production capacity of the meat industry.

Keywords: Beef cattle, Fattening practice, Constraints, Potentials, Ethiopia

INTRODUCTION were local cattle and 1 % were cross breeds

(CSA, 2017). Cattle are a very common asset in
In Ethiopia, livestock provides multiple functions Ethiopian households and 70 % of the total
including as source of quality food and as population depend on cattle for their livelihoods
industrial raw materials (FAO, 2015). The and the country produces about 1 million tons
livestock sector in Ethiopia play significant of beef per year valued at USD 5.1 billion (ASL,
contribution to the economy accounting for 45 2018). The annual contribution of ruminants to
% of the agricultural gross domestic product, meat production in Ethiopia was estimated to be
18.7 % of the national gross domestic product over 3.2 million tones representing over 72 % of
and between 16 – 19 % to the total foreign the total meat production (Issack et al., 2017),
exchange earnings of the country (Eshetie et from which beef accounted for over 70 % of the
al., 2018). However, the livestock sector total red meat production and over 50 % of the
contribution to the country economy remains total meat output in Sub-Saharan Africa
disproportionately low due to low productivity of (Wabalo and Anja, 2018). According to Bachewe
the animals. The estimated average live weight et al. (2017) in Ethiopia the consumption
of cattle is 250 kg with 14 % offtake rates and expenditure on Animal Source Foods (ASF)
carcass weight is 110 kg with 44 % dressing increased by 13.4 % in 2011 from which beef
percentage due to multifaceted challenges accounted for 42 %. Bachewe et al. (2017)
related to production, husbandry and marketing noted that the value of exported of meat
(MARD, 2010; AGPLMD, 2013). products increased from 18 million USD in 2005
The cattle population is Ethiopia was to 107 million USD in 2015 due to the increase
estimated to be 59.5 million among which 99 % in international livestock trade.

ISSN: 1597 – 3115 ARI 2019 16(2): 3401 – 3411

[Link]
Belachew 3402

Beef cattle fattening is a common camel is one of the main animal kept by the
practice in Ethiopia and special attention was local people. This constrain is because of
given by the government to boost red meat various religious, cultural believes and economic
supply through cattle fattening (Agmas and status of the people (Seleshe et al., 2014).
Adugna, 2018). Accordingly, cattle fattening is Sheep are widely common and are high in
an increasing business at different scales in demand and consumed by society especially
Ethiopia. Various research activities in cattle during holidays and festivals (Legese et al.,
fattening have been conducted over the years 2014).
to fill the production gaps, identify the According to Desiere et al. (2018), the
challenges and opportunities of cattle fattening per capita meat consumption of Ethiopians was
and support needs of the sector. Therefore, 9 kg/year/individual. Similarly, Eshetie et al.
there is a need to review and avail information (2018) reported per capita meat consumption of
on cattle fattening for those who wish to 8.4 kg as the least next to Eritrea (6.7 kg) as
engage on small or large scale cattle fattening compared to Kenya (16.1 kg), Sudan (19.7 kg),
as well as on commercial feedlot enterprises in Angola (20.2 kg), Congo (22 kg), Central African
Ethiopia. Therefore, this review aimed at Republic (31.7 kg) and Niger (34.3 kg). Recently
reviewing the existing cattle fattening practices; Ritchie (2019) reported that the average annual
identify current challenges and future meat consumption of Ethiopian was 7.0 kg,
opportunities to improve the existing traditional while that of Rwandans and Nigerians were 8.0
beef cattle fattening system and shift to kg and 9.0 kg respectively. This is 10 times less
commercial feedlot system. than the average European meat consumption
of between 80 and 90 kg of meat/person/year
MATERIALS AND METHODS which indicated that meat consumption is still a
luxury in low-income countries like Ethiopia,
A comprehensive internet search of literature on while USA, Australia and Argentina are the top
small or large scale cattle fattening as well as on meat eating countries in the world. In the year
commercial feedlot enterprises in Ethiopia was between 2013 – 2028 domestic meat production
undertaken using Google Search. Literatures is expected to cover only 54 % of the meat
recovered were analyzed in pros and relevant required for domestic consumption and still
cited tables and figures adopted. there will be a gap of about 46 % of meat
between production and consumer demand
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION (Shapiro et al., 2015).
According to CSA (2015), 52.93 % of
Overview of Meat Production and beef and 90.04 % of mutton/goat meat were
Consumption in Ethiopia: Cattle meat consumed in the household, and 33.18 % and
production in Ethiopia increased from the year 3.42 % were sold for export in the country.
2002 (0.35 million metric tons) to 2007 (0.36 Bachewe et al. (2018) showed that the net
million metric tons) but there has been a slight commercial offtake rate of cattle was 3.3 %
decrease between the year 2007 – 2012 from which was less than goats (9.7 %) and sheep
0.36 to 0.34 million metric tons (Lam et al., (7.7 %). The volume of meat and meat
2016) while in Brazil 7.14, 9.30 and 9.31 million products exported from Ethiopia is shown in
metric tons and in China 4.85, 5.85 and 6.31 Figure 1 covers between the year 2013/14
million metric tons of cattle meat was produced (3742.98 million metric tons) to the 2nd quarter
by the year 2002, 2007 and 2012 respectively. of 2017/18 (4428.50 metric tons) (NBE, 2018).
Cattle, goats, sheep, camel and poultry In Ethiopia the per capita consumption
are used as the resource base for meat for beef, pork, poultry and sheep was 2.4, 0,
production in Ethiopia. Pork meat is not 0.5 and 1.2 kg, respectively (Table 1). These
commonly eaten by the people and camel meat values are far below the average of most
consumption is most common around Afar and African countries.
Somali regional state of the country where

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Beef cattle fattening practices, constraints and future potentials in Ethiopia 3403

Figure 1: The volume of meat and meat products export between the year 2013/14 – 2017/18.
Source: NBE (2018)

Table 1: Consumption of beef and other livestock meat for African countries (kg/capita,
2017)
Country/Location Beef and Veal Pork Meat Poultry meat Sheep meat
Algeria 3.9 0.1 6.3 7.1
Egypt 9.3 0.2 9.2 1.3
Ethiopia 2.4 0.0 0.5 1.2
Ghana 0.8 0.8 6.1 1.5
Nigeria 1.6 1.1 0.9 2.3
South Africa 11.0 3.4 32.8 3.0
Zambia 9.0 1.5 2.6 0.5
Source: OECD/FAO (2018)

Beef is popular both in the highland and lowland Beef Cattle Production and Population in
areas of Ethiopia and consumption occurs Ethiopia: There is no specialized beef cattle
according to availability and will increase breeds and production systems in Ethiopia like
gradually over the next ten years and is that of commercial/intensive cow-calf, stocker
expected to be 8 % and 21% higher than in and finisher beef production systems found in
developed and developing countries respectively USA, Australia, Canada and other European
by 2027. In per capita terms, beef consumption countries (Agus and Widi, 2018). In Ethiopia
in the developing world remains low relative to cattle breeds are multipurpose type with
developed countries, at about 1/3rd in volume majority found in the mixed crop-livestock
terms (OECD/FAO, 2018). production system (Gebremariam et al., 2013).
Between 2010 – 2050, the consumption The commercial feedlot system, peri-urban
of beef was projected at 53 % with 1.07 % small-scale fattening, backyard fattening in the
annual growth rate was higher than for other mixed crop-livestock system, the pastoral/agro-
livestock products (ASL, 2017). Low per capita pastoral livestock production system were the
income of people (29 %) still leaving below 2 existing production systems identified based on
USD/day, high domestic meat prices (recently the level of input, source of animal, feed
10 – 11 USD/kg depending on quality), very resources and marketing conditions
limited number of commercial feedlots, religion (Gebremariam et al., 2013; CSA, 2017). Grazing
(43 % of the population is Christian orthodox is the most common source of feed with limited
fasting for around 200 days/year), consideration use of crop residues in the agro-pastoral
of ownership of too many cattle as a status production system in the lowlands and crop
symbol among the pastoralist community (Lam residues are the most important source of
et al., 2016; ASL, 2017) are the main reasons animal feed in the mixed crop-livestock system
for low level of meat consumption in Ethiopia. in the highlands (Reddy and Kanna, 2015).

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According to CSA (2017) the population of cattle Beef Cattle Fattening Practices in Ethiopia
in Ethiopia were in the age group of < 6 months
(4.53 %), 6 months – 1 year (3.93 %), 1 – 3 Source and selection experience for
years (7.44 %), 3 – 10 years (27.48 %), > 10 fattening of cattle: There are various cattle
years (1.14 %) for males and < 6 months (5.07 fattening practices conducted in different parts
%), 6 months – 1 year (4.52 %), 1 – 3 years of Ethiopia based on the source of animals, age,
(9.31 %), 3 – 10 years (35.47 %), > 10 years breed, sex/type (Table 2).
(1.12 %) for females in Ethiopia.

Table 2: Cattle fattening practices from various parts of Ethiopia

Sources of fattening Variables Location/region Source
cattle Age groups Sex/type
Local farmers and Medium and old Male Mekelle, Tigray (Gebremicha
Brokers el et al.,
2017)
Farm gate and Old Oxen, old cow and Bull Wollega, Oromia (Beyene and
purchased from local Fufi, 2017)
producers
Farm gate Mature and Majority male and less Central, Southern (Wolde et
much older female al., 2014)
animals
Farm-gate, primary old and Bull and steer (male) Somali (Fikru, 2015)
and secondary market unproductive
oxen
Farm gate Mature and old Majority male and less North Gondar (Mekuria,
female Zone, Amhara 2016)
Farm gate Young, mature - Wolaita Zone, (Wabalo and
and old Sothern Anja, 2018)
local market and farm Old and matured Majority of castrated Gamo Gofa Zone, (Guyo,
gate oxen, young bull male and less non- Southern 2016)
and culled cow castrated
Farm gate and from culled oxen Culled oxen (castrated) East Gojjam (Belay,
market and unproductive Zone, Amhara 2009)
animals
NB: Young (2-4 years’ age), Mature (5-7 years’ age), Old (> 7 years’ age); fattening cattle were local cattle breed

Smallholder and commercial producers in the conducted by Ahmed et al. (2017) in Dessie and
country used multiple selection criteria for Kombolcha towns, Amhara region reported that
fattening of cattle, which includes breed type, the peri-urban cattle fatteners considered the
physical appearance (frame size), age, health age group of cattle (about 4 ½ years old cattle
and initial price, body condition, coat color and are selected). In north Gondar zone, Amhara
horn size as the major ones. A study conducted region, coat color and castration were the
by Teklebrhan and Urge (2013) in East Shoa primary and secondary selection criteria for
Zone of Oromia region, cattle fattening cattle fattening (Mekuria, 2016). Anteneh et al.
operators purchased the animals by the type of (2010) reported that mature animals were used
breed, frame size, age, health and initial price. for fattening but color was not used as selection
While a study by Amistu et al. (2016) in Hadiya criteria.
Zone in Southern region, the cattle selected for
fattening purpose were based on health Cycle and duration of cattle fattening
condition, physical appearance, age, sex and practice: The duration and cycle of cattle
color. Guyo (2016) in Gamo Gofa Zone, fattening vary depending on the quality and
southern region stated that the selection criteria availability of feed, management system, breed
of fattening cattle were frame size, heath, body type, body condition as well as seasonal
condition, coat color and price. A study fluctuations of market demand due to religious
and other holidays in the year. According to the

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Beef cattle fattening practices, constraints and future potentials in Ethiopia 3405
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study conducted by Beyene and Fufi (2017) in ecology, location, season, the level of fattening
Guduru and Hababo Guduru districts of Oromia enterprise and land availability, the type of
region, the majority of the duration of fattening farming system and other related factors.
were 3 – 4 months (September – December) Grazing and crop residues are the major feed
while, 5 – 6 months (December – May) were resources and improved feed was the least
less in percentage. Wabalo and Anja (2018) in available feed resources for livestock production
Damot Pullassa district, Southern region showed in Ethiopia (Figure 2).
that the length of fattening period <3 month
accounted for 30 %, 3 – 6 month accounted for
50 % and >6 month accounted for 20 %. Guyo
(2016) indicated that body condition of the
animals was the most common criteria used to
decide the length of fattening period and it took
3, 5 and 6 months in the mid altitude, lowland
and highland agro-ecologies, respectively. Cycle
of fattening animals was once per year
(highland), twice per year (lowland) and thrice
per year (mid-altitude). The variation of
Figure 2: Livestock feed resources and
fattening period and cycle in the year were proportion in Ethiopia (CSA, 2017)
associated with the availability of feed,
supplements used, climate situation, market According to Dadi et al. (2017) in East Shoa
demand and body condition of the animals at Zone, cotton seed cake, wheat bran, maize flour
the initial stage before starting the fattening and noug seed cake were used as a feedstuff
business. for small and large scale commercial feedlots.
According to Taye and Lemma (2009) in While a study by Amistu et al. (2016) in Lemmo
Wolayta zone, southern region, majority of the district, in southern region, natural pasture,
producers fatten two times per year, one and crop residue from maize stover and teff straw,
three times per year was also practiced in the stalker and improved cultivated forage crops,
area. Teshager et al. (2013) in Ilu Aba Bora and maize grain were the main feed resources
Zone, Oromia region showed that cattle were for cattle fattening. Cut-and-carry grass feeding
fattened for duration of 4 – 9 months, 10 – 15 system and grazing were the major feeding
months and > 16 months, while the frequency practices used by the producers in the district.
of fattening during the year was thrice, twice Worku et al. (2016) in Jimma Zone reported
and once respectively. that grazing land and crop residues were the
Supporting findings by Gebremichael et mostly available feed resources for fattening
al. (2017) in Mekelle, Tigray region showed that cattle. Chopping, wetting, grinding, boiling and
the age of cattle used for fattening were young roasting were also practiced for feed processing
(1 – 2 years), medium (3 – 4 years) and old (>4 and feeding of cattle in Jimma Zone. Alemayehu
years). In addition, the sources of cattle for et al. (2016) in South Omo reported that crop
fattening were mostly from local farmers than residue, hay, false banana, local beverage
from brokers. The source of cattle for fattening byproducts were the major feed sources used
in Dessie and Kombolcha towns were mostly by farmers for fattening cattle which was in
from their own farm and few cattle were bought lined with the findings of Anteneh et al. (2010)
from nearby markets. This report was similar to who reported that communal grazing, crop
the report of Fikru (2015) for sources of cattle residues of chickpea, lentil, rice, beans, field
for fattening in Somali region. pea, finger millet and crop aftermath were the
common feed resources for cattle fattening in
Potential feed resources and feeding Fogera district, Amhara region.
practice for cattle fattening: The availability A recent study by Wabalo and Anja
of feedstuff is highly related with the agro- (2018) in Damot Pullassa district, reported that

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green and dry maize were used as kitchen waste and coffee by-products were used
supplementary feed alone with boiled maize and as a supplementary feed for cattle. Bean straw,
haricot bean, green and dry haricot bean, wheat noug seed cake, chickpea, wheat bran, wheat
bran and root and tuber of crops. Tolera (2012) straw and teff straw were the feed sources used
reported that crop residues, cut-and-carry for fattening cattle in North Gondar Zone
grass, boiled maize, haricot bean grain, thinning (Mekuria, 2016). A recent study by Taddesse et
or whole crop maize, sweet potato vines, root al. (2017) in Western Hararghe, observed that
tuber and household wastes were the major thinning of maize, sorghum crops, local grass
feed resources used for backyard cattle and weeds were the dominant feed resources
fattening in Wolayta zone. According to Fikru used in the wet season and maize and sorghum
(2015) in Harshin district, natural pasture, grain stover, teff and barely straw and grass hay were
by-product and crop residues were the major the major feed resources available in the dry
feeds used in fattening cattle. season. In this area, the cattle fattening system
According to Wolde et al. (2014) in is called the Hararghe highland system and
central southern region, crop residues and cattle farmers practiced majorly the cut-and-
natural pasture were the major feed resources carry grass feeding. They also used various
used as basal diet for fattening cattle. This treatment methods to improve the intake and
report was in agreement with the study of digestibility of feeds for animals such as
Tonamo (2016) who reviewed literatures on the chopping of green stalk and dried stover of
use of natural pasture, crop residue, and crop maize and sorghum, wetting the chopped stover
aftermath as the major feed resources in with salty water, wilting leguminous crops,
Ethiopia. Also whole or plant parts, enset (false cooking cereal seeds, mixing agro-industrial by-
banana), sweet potato vine, root tuber, products with straw and other indigenous
sugarcane, mineral soils, coffee residue, practices were common in these areas and in
beverages and improved feeds especially napier Jimma zone as mentioned by Duguma and
grass, concentrate and wheat bran were the Janssens (2016).
common supplementary feeds for cattle.
This review was supported by Worku et Current Challenges for Cattle Fattening in
al. (2016) in Jimma zone, which reported that Ethiopia: Various constraints were identified
grazing land and crop residues were the major and ranked by different scholars in the country
feed resources used to fatten cattle. Salt, as shown in Table 3.

Table 3: Identified constraints of beef cattle fattening practice in different parts of the
country
Challenges Rank Location (zone/region) Source
Feed scarcity 1 East shoa Zone, Oromia (Dadi et al., 2017)
Market fluctuation 2
Animal Health 3
Shortage of feed 1 Hadiya Zone, Southern (Amistu et al., 2016)
Lack of good management 2
Scarcity of land and drought 3
Shortage of feed 1 Mekelle, Tigray (Gebremichael et al., 2017)
Shortage of land 2
Market problem 3
Disease and absence of veterinary 1 Somali (Fikru, 2015)
service
Road for transportation 2
Poor market information 3
Feed shortage 1 Jimma Zone, Oromia (Worku et al., 2016)
Initial capital 2
Disease 3
Low market price of the product 1 South Omo Zone, Southern (Alemayehu et al., 2016)
High price of feeds 2

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Diseases and parasites 3

Scarcity of feed 1 Wolaita Zone, Southern (Wabalo and Anja, 2018)
Shortage land 2
Lack of proper selecting of fattening 3
animal
Lack of initial capital 1 Central Zones, southern (Wolde et al., 2014)
Lack of credit provision 2
lack of quality and quantity feed 3
Lack of initial capital 1 North Gondar Zone, (Mekuria, 2016)
Shortage of feed and water 2 Amhara
Insufficient land 3

Shortage of feed, initial capital for fattening transport and marketing problems of livestock
investment, animal health and marketing and their products across African countries
problems were the major issues analyzed by the (Olingo, 2015).
author based on the findings of the researchers. Recently, drones were launched by
Similar findings by Belay and Negesse (2018) in Ministry of Innovation and Technology, Ethiopia
Burie Zuria District, North Western Ethiopia to address vaccines delivery problems to areas
ranked feed, limited knowledge and poor which lacks infrastructure and will solve the
genetic potential of cattle as 1st, 2nd and 3rd delivery of medications to these areas and thus
respectively as the major challenges for cattle reduce animal disease (Tesfaye, 2018).
fattening in Ethiopia. This review was similar to Investment opportunities primarily given by the
report in an earlier study by Gobena (2017) who government of Ethiopia for foreign investors
stated that feed shortage, diseases and from different countries, the establishment of
parasites, drought and shortage of grazing land processing, storage and packing plants and
were the major constraints challenging cattle compound feed producing companies are
farmers in Ethiopia. A similar review by Asresie important for future growth of the beef industry
and Zemedu (2015) implicated low supply of (ATA, 2016). Very suitable agro-ecologies for
feed and poor quality of feed resources as the various livestock breeds and the ongoing
main critical problems challenging livestock roadmap on red meat production by the
producers in Ethiopia. government starting from breed improvement
and multiplication projects is also another
Potentials and Prospects of Cattle opportunity to maximize the productive
Fattening in Ethiopia: The high demand of potential of indigenous cattle breeds through
animal products and the establishment of identifying quality meat traits (Shapiro et al.,
various agro-processing plants and huge 2017). Similarly, there are 13 sugar factories
industrial parks for processing and sale of established in the country (ESC, 2018) which
processed livestock products, the expansion of can also produce by-products such as molasses
urbanization, peaceful political relationship for supplementation and as livestock feed to
among east African countries and middle solve the feed problems in the country.
eastern countries will open an excellent market
opportunity (NEPAD, 2013; Wolde et al., 2014; Conclusion: This review assessed the recent
Weldesilassie et al., 2017). Especially with the cattle fattening practices, current constraints,
two-decade-long cold war between Ethiopia and potentials and prospects of cattle fattening in
Eritrea ending and signing of a peace Ethiopia. The majority of the sources of
agreement in July 2018 and the reopening of fattening cattle were from the farm gate with a
trade ties (IFPRI, 2019) will have a positive minimum number from the local producers and
economic impacts. The Single African Air markets. The age of the animals was > 6 years
Transport Market System (Agenda 2063 and majority of them were old oxen and very
Flagship Project) among 21 African countries less number of culled/unproductive/ females.
(SAATM, 2017) and the new railway transport The length of fattening period was between the
system will open new doors to solve the range of 4 – 9 months with a cycle of fattening

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Belachew 3408
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duration was between 1 – 3 times within a year. fattening practices in urban and peri-
Feed, initial capital, disease and market, land urban kebeles of Dessie and Kombolcha
shortage were the major constraints for cattle Towns, Ethiopia. Online Journal of
fattening. Peaceful relationship with neighboring Animal and Feed Research, 7: 29–37.
countries, the expansion of agro-processing AMISTU, K., TEMESGEN, M., ALEMU, A. and
industries, sugar factories, agricultural research TAREKEGN, W. (2016). Assessment of
institutions and mobile drone technology are the beef cattle fattening and marketing
promising opportunities that can overcome the system and contribution to household
existing problems. food security in case of Lemmo Woreda,
Hadiya Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Journal
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS of Marketing and Consumer Research,
29: 1 – 10.
I am deeply grateful and indebted to all authors ANTENEH, B., TEGEGNE, A., BEYENE, F. and
whose data formed part of the secondary data GEBREMEDHIN, B. (2010). Cattle Milk
used in this study, and to different national and and Meat Production and Marketing
international institutions whose working papers Systems and Opportunities for Market-
and project reports provided materials used for Orientation in Fogera Woreda, Amhara
the review. My gratitude is given to my friends, Region, Ethiopia. Improving Productivity
supervisors and anonymous reviewers for their and Market Success (IPMS) Working
efforts in correcting, proof reading, and Paper 19, International Livestock
language and grammar editing of this Research Institute (ILRI), Nairobi,
manuscript. Kenya.
ASL (2017). Growing Economy, Population and
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