Abstract
Forty Western Sudan Baggara bulls, representing four weight groups (treatments) i.e. 155·2 ± 4·6 kg (30·2 month old), 179·l ± 3·0 kg (34 months old), 205·3 ± 2·3 kg (40·4 months old) and 221·7 ± 1·8 kg (44·3 month old) were fed ad libitum on a finishing ration in feedlots to a constant market weight of 310 kg. Data on feedlot performance and body composition at market weight were collected. The treatments had a significant (P < 0·05) and apparently linear effect on overall mean daily gain and days on experiment. The initially heavier bull made faster gains and took less time than lighter bulls to reach market weight. Body composition at a constant market weight was very similar between groups. An economic appraisal of the gain from finishing the four group of cattle indicated that the margin over production costs was generally encouraging, especially with the initially heavier (and older) group of bulls.
