SAARC J. Agric., 17(1): 105-118 (2019) DOI: [Link]

42765

STUDY OF CATTLE FATTENING SYSTEM IN SELECTED

REGION OF BANGLADESH
M.T. Kamal1, M.A. Hashem1*, M. Al-Mamun2, M.M. Hossain1 and
M.A. Razzaque3
1
Department of Animal Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
2
Department of Animal Nutrition, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.
3
Mohammed Abdur Razzaque, Senior Scientist, Desert Agriculture and Ecosystem Program, Kuwait
Institute for Scientific Research (KISR)

Abstract
The current study was undertaken to assess the present status of cattle
mixed feeds, feed ingredients and use of growth promoters in livestock
production of Bangladesh. The survey was carried out through a
structured questionnaire among 80 farmers during April to June, 2017.
The study revealed that agriculture is the primary occupation for 63% of
respondents, whereas 27.5% of respondents are dependent over
livestock. The dairy farmers are involved in both dairy and beef cattle
fattening. Approximately 64% of the livestock farmers practiced fattening
round the year and rest of the respondents followed fattening for period
of 3 months; before Eid-ul-Adha. About 86% farmers reared uncastrated
males instead of steer for fattening. It was observed that 59% of the
farmers applying steroid as growth promoters in beef cattle fattening.
The study indicated that middleman, feed/ medicine dealers were
involved in promoting of steroids (dexavet, pednivet, oradexon, decason,
paractin, gludex etc) usages in livestock. Owing to the lack of knowledge
on steroids use in livestock over public health, the farmers are
influenced by the vendors for quick profit. They sell their animals prior to
withdrawal periods of drugs. Training and knowledge about the health
hazards of steroids had inverse significant relationship with use of steroid
as growth promoter (p<0.01). Improvement of education, training and
financial status of the farmers significantly affected the use of steroids in
beef fattening. Present problems could be addressed by intervention
measures by the policy makers of the livestock sector.
Keywords: Growth Promoters, Fattening Cattle, Steroids

*
Corresponding author: hashem_mdabul@[Link]

Received: 18.11.2018 Accepted: 19.06.2019

106 Kamal et al.

INTRODUCTION
In Bangladesh, livestock is one of the most important sub-sectors of agriculture
which plays a vital role in promoting national economy of the country (Sarma et al.,
2014). About 80 to 85% of the households keep livestock in the rural areas and most
of them are landless, marginal and small farmers (Hossain et al., 2004). Livestock
may be considered as “Cash income” to rural farmers that is instantly available for
sale or barter (Hossen et al., 2008). Cattle fattening for beef production have become
an important business of the small farmers in Bangladesh. Now it is necessary to find
out the limitations of existing beef production system to make it more sustainable at
farmer’s level. It was suspected that stimulating substances like, steroids, feed
additives etc. were using n Bangladesh. (Islam et al., 2012). Experts believe that
cattle feed shortages have been a major limitation to improve cattle productivity in
Bangladesh. Besides, there is a festival demand of beef cattle during Eid-ul- Adha.
To fulfill the animal protein requirement and poverty alleviation for rural people,
cattle fattening can play a significant role. In Bangladesh, feed additives and growth
promoters imported by pharmaceutical industries and overseas marketing agencies
and attract farmers to use them in fattening animals. Most of the cattle brought for
sale as sacrificial animals in the northern districts ahead of Eid-ul-Adha are fattened
allegedly by unscrupulous cattle traders ignoring the scientific formula prescribed by
Livestock Department for rapid live weight gain and quick profits (Islam et al.,
2012). Apparently, the animals look very attractive, muscular and high live weight
but the consumers are very disappointed by deception and cheating. Some of them
may have harmful residual effects on human health or some may not respond cost
effectively. For over 25 years, the use of hormonal substances has been banned in
animal production in Europe (Council Directive 88/146/EEC). Recently, there has
been plenty of attention paid to the occurrence of veterinary drug residues in animal-
food products.

METHODOLOGY
Selection of the study area and preparation of interview schedule
The data was collected through an interview schedule from the farmers of 4 districts
(Gazipur, Mymensingh, Sirajgonj and Rajshahi) of Bangladesh, for having high cattle
population in those areas. The respondents were selected who rear cattle or bought
cattle for fattening or rearing. Respondents those are involved in cattle fattening
purpose were randomly chosen from each upazila.
Collection of data
Data were collected following direct interviews and making personal visits from beef
cattle farmers. Key informant interview (KII) was done with government livestock
officers and feed dealers.
CATTLE FATTENING SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH 107

Parameters studied
The interview schedule contained general information (occupation, education, family
member etc.) of the cattle owners, livestock population, management of the fattening
cattle, feeds and feeding cattle, indigenous knowledge on rearing and marketing of
cattle, and the application of steroid and feed additives, feed ingredients, feeding and
animal management.
Computing and statistical analysis of data
Descriptive analysis was done, like average and percentages as well as spearman
correlation coefficient (rs), level of significance through SPSS Statistics 17.0.
Spearman correlation coefficient is measured by following formula,

Where ,

 , is the difference between the two ranks of each

observation.
 n is the number of observations

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Socio-economic background of the farmers
There are many interrelated and constituent attributes that characterize an individual
and form an integral part in the development of one’s behavior and personality.
Farmer’s educational level, income and sources of money influence the cattle
production system because uneducated and poor farmers intend to get more profit by
investing less money in the illegal way such as, use of harmful growth promoter.
108 Kamal et al.

Table 1. Socio-economic background of the farmers

Parameters Categories % of farmers
Main occupation Agriculture 63.8
Livestock. Business 27.5
Services 2.5
Others 6.3
Level of education Illiterate 33.8
Primary 32.5
Secondary 13.8
Higher secondary 7.5
Above 12.5
Family member 2-4 3.8
5-7 53.8
8-10 40
>10 2.5
Annual income (BDTK) 20000-30000 5
31000-40000 26.3
41000-50000 40
>50000 28.8
Sources of money Own 51.3
Bank loan 23.8
NGO loan 20
From Mohajon 5
Others
Training on cattle fattening Have 23.8
Have not 76.3

Table 1 revealed that the majority (63.8%) of the respondents had main occupation as
agriculture, 27.5% were related in the livestock business. About 51.3% of the farmers
run their cattle fattening business by own money, 20% from NGO loan, 23.8% bank
loan, 5% taken loan from mohajon. In case of training, only 23.8% respondents had
cattle fattening training and 76.3% farmers whom had not any training on cattle
rearing and corroborated with the earlier findings (Ahmed et al., 2010; Rahman et al.,
2012; Islam et al., 2012). Currently, higher educated (graduation) people are
attracting towards the livestock business then before (Hossen et al., 2008; Sharma et
al., 2014 and Rahman et al., 2012). The result of this study contradicted the earlier
CATTLE FATTENING SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH 109

findings of Begum et al. (2007), where the authors reported that 86.7% farmers used
own capital. From these above statements it was revealed that now farmers get more
loans from bank, NGOs and other financial institution. Reports on similar studies
were also available from different authors (Ahmed et al., 2010 and Rahman et al.,
2012).
Factors associated with cattle rearing
It was revealed that 32% of farmers selected beef type cattle for fattening purpose
and the rest of them selected dairy and beef for rearing (Table 2). The result of this
study was not similar to Islam et al. (2012) where they showed that majority (92%) of
farmers selected beef type cattle for fattening purpose. We surveyed all types of
farmers where only large farmers reared beef type cattle only for beef fattening.
Among the farmers, 26.3% selected indigenous and 32.5% farmer’s selected
crossbreeds and 41.3% select both crossbreeds and local for their farm (Table 2).
Rahman et al (2012) reported that about 60% farmers used both deshi and
crossbreeds cattle for fattening, 28% deshi and 12% used crossbreeds. Hossain et al
(2016) stated that about 12% cattle were indigenous and 88% crossbred in origin.

Table 2. Factors associated with cattle fattening

Parameters Categories % of farmers
Farm type Beef type 42.5
Dairy type
Beef + Dairy 57.5
No. of cattle for fattening 2-5 27.5
6-9 33.8
10-12 22.5
>12 16.3
Breed of cattle Indigenous 26.3
Crossbreeds 32.5
Both 41.3
Pattern of the program Just before Eid Ul Adha 30
Round the year 63.8
Seasonal 6.3
Fattening period 3 months or less 16.3
3-6 months 35
6 months-1 year 31.3
>1 year 17.5
Sex of animal Castrated male 13.8
Uncastrated male 86.3
110 Kamal et al.

The pattern of cattle fattening from the present study indicated that 30% farmer
practiced fattening only before Eid-ul-Azha, 63.8% farmer practiced fattening round
the year and the rest of the farmers perform seasonal fattening (Table 2). Islam et al.
(2012) showed that majority (53.3%) of the respondents start fattening before Eid-ul-
Azha and the rest practiced round the year. Fattening period was the most important
factor because it measured profit percentage of the respondents. Among the farmers
16.3% farmers practiced fattening for 3 months or less and maximum number
farmers (35%) farmers fattening period was 3 to 6 months and 31.3% farmers
fattened their cattle for 6 months to 1 year and the rest above 1 year (Table 2).
Ahmed et al. (2010) stated that 79.1% respondents found that the fattening period of
cattle was 3-6 months. Rahman et al. (2012) stated that most of the respondents
fattened cattle for 3 months (44.7%) and rest fattened for 6 months or one year. Sex
is the crucial point for fattening, because customer chooses the meat of male beef
cattle more than female cattle. Majority (86.3%) of them selected uncastrated male
and rest of them fattened castrated male (Table 2). Starting age of cattle fattening also
varied famer to farmer. Islam et al. (2012) reported that majority (80.7%) of them
selected uncastrated male and rest of them fattened castrated male.
Information about steroids and feed additives
Among the respondents 58.8% farmers practiced using steroid as a growth promoter
and rest of them did not practiced any kinds of growth promoter at the period of
fattening (Table 2). Rahman et al. (2012) observed that about 34.7% farmers used
beef fattening tablets. Islam et al. (2012) reported that among the respondents 70.6%
used anabolic steroid as a growth promoter and rest of them did not use any kinds of
growth promoter. Use of growth promoter was decreasing day by day due to training
of farmers. Only 30% farmers had the knowledge about health hazard effect of
steroid (Table 3).
It was found that 28.8% farmer got information of steroids from mohajon, 15% from
feed dealer, 8.85 from neighbor, 2.5% from NGO worker and 3.8% from medical
representative. About 58% farmer use steroid (drugs) in cattle fattening (Fig. 1).
55.3% farmer had withdrawn steroid immediately before marketing, 27.7% withdraw
immediately before slaughtering and 17% before one month of marketing which was
alarming (Fig. 2).
CATTLE FATTENING SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH 111

Fig. 1 Source of information to use steroids

Fig. 2 Withdrawal period of steriod

Table 3. Information about steroids and feed additives

Parameters Categories % of farmers
Use of steroid Yes 58.8
No 41.3
Impact of steroid on growth rate (farmers Yes 97.9
opinion) No 2.1
Knowledge about health hazard effect of Have 30
steroid Have not 70
Knowledge about feed act Have 12.5
Have not 87.5
112 Kamal et al.

98% farmers thought that steroid had positive impact on growth rate or production
(Table 3). Nichols et al. (2002) reported that in an intensive beef cattle production
system use of steroid implants increased average daily gain by 15 to 25% and feed
efficiency by 10 to 15% but decreased in marbling was observed due to longer use of
steroid implants. Platter et al. (2003) found that use of growth implants increased
(P<0.05) average daily gain by 11.8 to 20.5% of steers. Haque and Sarker, (2014)
reported that different types of steroids were used rampantly for poultry and bovine
in Bangladesh. Asem-Hiablie et al. (2017) stated that in an average 30% of northwest
and southwest ranches of United States used growth implants for beef cattle
production.
Information about feed and cattle management

Table 4. Information about feed and cattle management

Parameters Categories % of farmers
Type of feed given Roughage -
Concentrate 3.8
Both roughage and concentrate 96.3
TMR -
Roughage Straw 8.8
Roadside grass 61.3
Cultivated fodder 30
Concentrate Compound feed/ Pellet 18.8
Hand mixed feed 33.8
Both 47.5
Preservation/Treatment Hay 1.3
Silage -
Urea molasses block -
Urea treatment 30
None 68
Parameters Categories % of farmers
Rearing system Intensive 30
Semi-intensive 51.3
Extensive 18.8
Sources of water Safe 48.8
Unsafe 51.3
Ration formulation By own 72.5
Consultant/Technical people 27.5
CATTLE FATTENING SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH 113

Presented result (Table 4) showing that, 96.3% farmers gave both roughage and
concentrate and 3.8% farmer gave only concentrate. They did not use any total mixed
ration (TMR) which was not similar with Buza and Holden, (2016) where they
reported that in Pennsylvania, 97.6% survey respondents fed a total mixed ration.
61.3% farmer gave roadside grass as the source of roughage, 8.8% gave straw and
30% gave cultivated fodder as the source of roughage (Table 4). Hossain et al. (2016)
reported that most of the farmers (83%) used cultivated fodder and only 17% farmers
used cultivated fodder and roadside grass during rainy season.
As a source of concentrate, 18.8% used commercial pellet feed, 33.8% used hand
mixed feed which was made by different raw materials found locally and 47.5% gave
both pellet and hand mix feed (Table 4). Among the farmers only 30% farmer treated
straw with urea and rest of the farmers didn’t follow any treatment (Table 4). In case
of rearing system 30% followed intensive management, 51.3% followed semi-
intensive management, and 18.8% followed extensive management system (Table 4).
García-Torres et al. (2016) found that consumer chose beef produced from intensive
organic farming at sensory level and grass-fed or extensive organic farming at the
point of purchase. Most of the farmers (72.5%) did their ration formulation by own
and the rest from the technical person (Table 4). For this reason, maximum animal
doesn’t get proper nutrition for maintenance and production.

Fig. 3 Biosecurity measures

Only 36% farmer maintained biosecurity measure in their farm which is not
satisfactory (Fig. 3). The term ‘biosecurity’ includes various types of measures that
farmers can perform to lessen the risk of spread out of pathogen (Cardwell et al.,
2016). 72% farmers thought that biosecurity measures was important for their farm
and 53% farmer thought that they had lack of knowledge of biosecurity, reported by
Sayersa et al. (2013). 81.3% farmers gave vaccine to their animal and 61.3%
performed deworming (Fig. 3) which was similar with Begum et al. (2007) and
Ahmed et al. (2010). About 48.8% animals get safe water (Table 4). It was vital that
cattle should be provided drinking water by the farmers to ensure safety and it was
114 Kamal et al.

considered as good practice. According to the survey, only 28.8% farmers cultivated
fodder for their animal (Fig. 4).

Fig. 4 Fodder cultivation

Hossain et al. (2016) reported that most of the farmers (83%) used cultivated fodder
and only 17% farmers used cultivated fodder and roadside grass during rainy season.
About 60% farmers cultivate rice and among them near about 57% farmer apply
pesticide (Fig. 4). Straw, rice polish, broken rice are the main by product of rice
which may contain those pesticides. It is hypothesized that pesticides residues will be
found in rice by-products which will be used as livestock feed.
Relationship of use of steroids with other factors
Table 5 revealed that the different parameters such as sex, occupation, annual
income, source of money, farm type, breed type, and no. of cattle fattened, fattening
period, training, health hazard of steroid etc. were considered as influencing practice
of steroid use in the small scale cattle rearing. Significant (p<0.05) association was
observed (Table 5) on the use of steroids with different sex, occupation, education
level, annual income, breed of cattle, training of farmer and knowledge about health
hazards of steroid. The chi square value of education was 12.367 indicating (Table 5)
that with the increase of level of education of farmer was associated with decrease of
steroids which was significant (p<0.05). The x2-value of annual income was 8.396
indicating that with the increase of annual income was associated with the decrease
of steroids was significant (p<0.05).
CATTLE FATTENING SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH 115

Table 5. Relationship of use of steroids with other factors

Parameter Categories Spearman Level of sig.
correlation
coefficient (rs)
Sex Male 0.274 0.026
Female (*)
Main occupation Agriculture 0.370 0.007
Liv. Business (**)
Services
Others
Education Illiterate 0.319 0.015
Primary (*)
Secondary
Higher secondary
Above
Annual income 20000-30000 0.212 0.039
31000-40000 (*)
41000-50000
Above 50000
Sources of money Own 0.080 0.096
(NS)
Bank Loan
NGO Loan
Loan Mohajn
Farm type Beef -0.050 0.413
(NS)
Dairy
Beef & Dairy
Breed of cattle Indigenous -0.313 0.002
(**)
Cross
Both
Pattern of program Eid-ul-Adha 0.042 0.897
Round the year (NS)
Seasonal
Fattening period 3m or less 0.251 0.082
3 to 6 m (NS)
6m to 1 year
Above 1 year
Training Have -0.368 0.001
(**)
Have not
Health hazard of steroid Know -0.560 0.000
(**)
Don’t know
rs,=Spearman correlation coefficient; NS, Non-significant (p>0.05); *= p<0.05, **= p<0.01
116 Kamal et al.

The rs value of sex, occupation, education, annual income was positively correlated
with steroid practiced and had a significant (p<0.05) positive relationship with steroid
use. The rs value of source of money, pattern of program, fattening period had a
positive correlation but weakly (rs<0.3) correlated (Table 5) which was not
significant (p>0.05). Here we can say that poor and uneducated people are more
suspected to use different steroid in illegal way to get more profit. The rs value of
training was -0.368, it indicates the use of steroids was increased with the decreased
farmer training which was significant (p<0.01). Again rs value of knowledge about
health hazard of steroid is -0.560, it indicates that the use of steroid increased with
the lack of knowledge about health hazard of steroid which was significant (p<0.01).
Available steroids in Bangladesh
During the study we have found that injection for veterinary purpose used as growth
promoter. Again tablet for human medication (Paractin, Gludex) used in beef
fattening frequently in different areas of Bangladesh. All these are drugs; depending
on their dosages they impact kidney functions, sometime lessen urination, make body
tissue edematous; excessive dose causes death of animals sometimes.

Table 6. Common drugs / steroids found during the study

Injection Tablet

Dexavet (Synthetic steroid) Paractin (for human medication but used for
fattening)
Pednivet (Steroid) Gludex (Dexamethasone for human)
Oradexon (Glucocorticoid steroid) Pednivet (Steroid)
Decason (Glucocorticoid steroid)
Tredexanol (Synthetic steroid)

CONCLUSION
In the majority of villages in Bangladesh, farmers rear beef cattle for fattening
without having any scientific knowledge. Some drugs/steroids are being used for
fattening purposes which are prohibited as per feed act rule of Bangladesh. Farmers
are not getting proper training on production and management practices of beef cattle
fattening. Details studies on different contaminants in cattle feed are needed to
produce quality and safe beef.

Conflict of interests
The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest.
CATTLE FATTENING SYSTEM IN BANGLADESH 117

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
This research work has been conducted with the financial aid of “Feed Safety and
Nutrition of Cattle in Bangladesh: Using Total Mixed Rations for Beef Production in
Intensive System (Zero Grazing)” project under the MoU between “Bangladesh
Agricultural University” and “Ismail Feeds and Animal Enterprise limited”.

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