H. KOKNAROGLU, V. DEMIRCAN, H. YILMAZ
Abstract
Purpose of this study was to determine effect of season on beef cattle performance and profitability in beef cattle farms in Afyon province. Data were obtained by conducting a questionnaire with 100 beef cattle farms selected by stratified random sampling method. Starting date on feed was assigned to seasons and, since the steers were fed an average for 202 days,
an overlapping of seasons occurred. Thus, cattle started on feed in spring, autumn, summer and winter were finished in summer, spring, autumn and spring, respectively. Cattle started in spring, autumn, summer and winter were exposed to hot, cold and warm portions of the year, respectively, and were classified as hot, cold and warm season cattle. Cattle raised
in cold season had lower average daily gain (ADG) than those in warm season (P<0.05). Feed efficiency of cattle raised
in warm and hot season was better than those raised in winter (P<0.05). It was found that cattle raised in cold season had higher cost for 1 kg of liveweight, liveweight gain and carcass than other seasons (P<0.05). Gross profit, net profit and relative return of cattle raised in cold season was lower than other seasons (P<0.05). When average profit of all farms were considered, it was found that profit was not enough to sustain a farm household's living. In the study area cost and sale price
of 1 kg carcass were close to each other thus discrepancy between these two prices defined as profit margin was small.
Key words:
Beef cattle, season, performance, cost, profitability.