Performance of some beef breeds in Zambia

Data for birth and weaning weights of Barotse, Boran, Hereford and Simmental obtained from ranches were analysed. Average birth weights were 21.86±0.33, 40.73±0.31, 40.40±0.66 and 38.55±0.25 kg for Barotse, Boran, Hereford and Simmental, respectively. Average weaning weights were 89.81±2.21, 184.34± 1.36, 181.71±3.24 and 236.75±1.80 for Boratse, Boran, Hereford and Simmental, respectively. The birth and weaning weights of Boratse were sginificantly (P < 0.05) lower than those of the other breeds. Male calves were significantly heavier at birth and weaning (p<0.05). Significant (P<0.05) breed x sex and breed x year interactions for birth weight and breed x year and year x sex interactions for weaning weight were observed. Even though the exotic breeds (Boran, Hereford and Simmental) performed better than the indigenous breed (Barotse) for birth and weaning weights there is need to look into the performance of these breeds with respect to other economic traits.