Assessment of cattle fattening and marketing system and constraints affecting cattle fattening in Central Southern Region of Ethiopia

A study was conducted to characterize cattle fattening and marketing system and to assess constraints affecting cattle fattening by interviewing 165 farmers in Central Southern Region, Ethiopia. Fattening length and age for oxen were 4 months and 7 years, respectively. Light white and red were the best color of cattle selected for fattening whereas black color was not recommended. Majority of farmers fattened castrated male cattle and marketed only during the main holidays. The price was highest from September to April. Farmers, traders and brokers were the 1st, 2nd and 3rd ranked marketing actors, respectively. Feeds used for supplementation were false banana, sweet potato, sugar cane, wheat bran, improved forages, mineral soils and residuals of coffee and beverages. Lack of capital was the main constraint to begin fattening. The results showed that age of fattening oxen was very old and most of the feed resources were locally available. The use of improved forages and concentrate feeds for cattle fattening is a growing practice, however, further work is needed to develop a cost effective feeding strategy by combining improved and locally available feed resources. Non-seasonal fattening and marketing, easy system of credit provision and controlled marketing system were needed.   Key words: Cattle fattening and marketing, selection criterions, marketing season, marketing actors, fattening duration, central southern Ethiopia.