Beef cattle fattening practices, marketing systems and challenges: The case of Bench Sheko and Sheka Zones of southwest Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess beef cattle fattening practices, marketing systems, and challenges in the Bench Sheko and Sheka zones of South West Ethiopia. Multi-stage purposive and random sampling procedures were used. A total of 384 households were selected randomly and interviewed using a structured questionnaire. Secondary data were collected from zones and district offices. The collected data were managed and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Statistical differences were declared at P < 0.05. The mean difference was assessed by the Tukey test. The result of this study depicted that the major (87.5 %) cattle fattening system prevailing in the study areas was an extensive/traditional fattening system. The majority (68.5 %) of fatteners preferred local cattle for fattening in the study areas. Body condition was the major (52.3 %) criterion to buy and sell their beef cattle; but the mean ages selected for fattening were 4.51 ± 0.082 and 4.84 ± 0.089 years for male and female, respectively. The majority (58.9 %) of respondents fattened two times per year indicated that fattening was not their only activity in the study areas. The overall mean of cattle fattened per household per fattening period was 3.41 ± 0.077 in the study area. However, a significantly (P < 0.001) higher number of cattle was fattened in the Sheka (3.67 ± 0.126) than in the Bench Sheko (3.14 ± 0.089) per fattening period. About 81.5 % of respondents decided to finish the fattening period by considering live weight change but the rest decided by anticipated current and future price (13.5 %) and calculating feeding length (4.9 %). Village markets were the major (87.8 %) buying and selling place of cattle; whereas local butchers accounted for the highest share (62.2 %) in buying finished beef cattle in the study areas. Diseases and parasites were the severe challenges for beef cattle production while seasonal fluctuations of demand and price also challenged marketing systems. However, an increase in meat demand (41.7 %) and environmental suitability (28.1 %) were the most important opportunities for beef cattle production and marketing in the study areas. Therefore, improved beef cattle fattening practices and profit-oriented fattening systems should be adopted in areas through private and state holders in collaboration.

1. Introduction

Ethiopia has the greatest number of livestock in Africa, with an estimated 70 million cattle of which local breeds make up 97.4 %, while hybrids and exotic breeds make up the remaining 2.3 and 0.31 %, respectively [1]. According to Ref. [2], the subsector accounts for around 16.5 % of the country's GDP and 35.6 % of the agricultural GDP. It also contributes 30 % of agricultural employment and 15 % of export revenues [3]. The subsector currently supports and sustains livelihoods for 80 % of the rural population. The GDP of livestock-related activities is valued at 1.05 billion dollars [2]. Furthermore, livestock plays a significant role in the Ethiopian family economy by supplying food, fertilizer to maintain soil fertility and crop production, cash revenue, and encouraging savings, social interactions, and employment opportunities. With such a diverse range of uses, livestock can be seen as a means of enhancing rural residents' food security and standards of living [4].

The two main types of livestock production systems are the mixed crop-livestock system in the highlands and the agro-pastoral system in the lowlands. In those production systems, male animals and females who are either infertile or finished their reproductive cycle are the main targets of traditional animal fattening [5]. However, fattening systems in Ethiopia are classified as Hararghe fattening system, product-based system, and traditional system [6]. The fattening method varies mostly according to the sources of available feed, the supply of cattle for fattening, and the marketing situations. Although Ethiopia is renowned for having a large population of cattle, the majority of the beef is produced using a complex low-input system in conjunction with the production of crops and small ruminants, which causes it to be much less productive than the global average [7].

According to CSA [1], in Ethiopia there were 858,436 beef cattle and among these 391,991 beef cattle were slaughtered for consumption and export purposes. However, many Ethiopians, like other developing countries, do not consume enough meat. The few individuals that consume meat obtain from beef cattle, sheep, goat, and poultry [8]. The productivity of the livestock sector is reduced due to different constraints which include poor nutrition, poor genetic resources in terms of productivity, prevalence of animal diseases, unfavorable socio-economic factors, poor access to market, and lack of livestock policy which encourages livestock production [9]. Overall, there are both possibilities and obstacles to the production of beef cattle in Ethiopia [[10], [11], [12]].

Despite different authors attempting to study beef cattle fattening practices and associated feed resources in some parts of Ethiopia, there was little information on beef fattening practices, marketing systems, and constraints in different parts of the country. Moreover, studies conducted so far by Ref. [13] on the characterization of the livestock production system, and major cattle diseases in Bench-Maji, Sheka, and Mejenger zones of South West Ethiopia. However, it was not addressed on beef cattle fattening practices and marketing systems. Therefore, until now there was little information on beef cattle fattening practices, marketing systems, and associated challenges and opportunities because they were not properly addressed in the study area. However, developing interventions that meet the needs of the producers, and understanding the existing beef cattle fattening practices, marketing systems, constraints, and opportunities of the area is paramount to making future improvement interventions in the sector. Therefore, the current study was aimed at a solution for the existing gaps in the study area that benefit the stakeholders (community), researchers who may wish to carry out further studies on beef cattle fattening practices, entrepreneurs, and trainees. This is the reason; the current study aimed to assess beef cattle fattening practice, marketing systems, constraints, and opportunities in the study area.

2. Materials and methods

2.1. Description of the study area

The Bench Sheko and Sheka Zones in South West Ethiopia were where the study was carried out (Fig. 1). Mizan-Aman, the Bench Sheko zone's administrative center, is situated 115 km from Bonga and 561 km from Addis Abeba. It shares borders with a Kaffa Zone to the north, the Debub Omo Zone to the northeast, the Sheka Zone to the southwest, Gambela Region, and the South Sudden Republic to the South direction. Agro-ecologically, the Bench Sheko Zone is composed of 52 % lowland, 43 % midland, and 5 % highland. The altitude of the area ranges from 850 to 3000 m above sea level. The latitude and longitude of the area are 6o24′59.99″ N and 35o09′60.00’’E, respectively. The average annual temperature is between 15.1 °C and 27.5 °C, while the average annual rainfall is between 400 mm and 2,000 mm. According to the CSA [1], the total number of cattle, sheep, goats, horses, donkeys, and chickens in this zone is around 367853, 170400, 92905, 11922, and 310931, respectively.

Fig. 1.

Map of the study areas.

Tepi serves as the administrative center of Sheka Zone. Bench Sheko Zone, the Gambela region, the Oromia region, and the Kaffa Zone are the regions that border the Sheka Zone to the south, west, north, and east, respectively. The former Keficho Shekicho Zone's western portion is known as the Sheka Zone. The altitude of the area ranges from 1200 to 3000 m above sea level. The latitude and longitude of the area are 7o24′-7o52′ N and 35o13′-35o35′E, respectively. According to the CSA [1], there are roughly 284361 cattle, 132211 sheep, 9715 goats, 15471 horses, and 269788 chickens in this zone.

2.2. Sample size determination and sampling method

According to Cochran's [14] probability proportional sample size sampling method, the total sample size of respondent households was calculated as below (Equation-1).

$${\mathrm{n}}_o=\frac{z^2\left(p\right)\left(q\right)}{d^2}$$ (1)

Where; n_o=desired sample size according to Cochran's [14] when population is > 10,000).

Z = standard normal deviation (1.96 for 95 % confidence level).

P = 0.5 (proportion of population i.e. 50 %)

q = is 1- P i.e. (0.5).

d = is degree of accuracy desired [the acceptable sampling error (0.05)]

$${\mathrm{n}}_{\mathrm{o}}=\frac{{\left(1.96\right)}^2\left(0.5\left)\right(0.5\right)}{{\left(0.05\right)}^2}=\frac{0.37609264}{0.0025}=384.16\approx 384$$

For the study, multi-stage purposive and random sampling techniques were used. The study areas were selected on a purposive sampling method. Three districts, two from Bench Sheko Zone (Gura Ferda and Semen Bench) and one from Sheka Zone (Andracha districts) were purposively selected from the two research zones based on their potential for beef cattle fattening, using data gathered from the agriculture offices in each zone. A total of 12 peasant associations (Kebeles) and 4 kebeles from each district were randomly selected. The number of households with at least three or more cattle was carefully selected. A total of 384 respondents were selected randomly from these households, 258 respondents from Bench Sheko Zone and 128 respondents from Sheka Zone. The number of respondents per Kebele was determined by proportionate sampling technique [15] as follows (Equation (2)).

$$\mathrm{W}=(\mathrm{A}/\mathrm{B}){\text{xn}}_0$$ (2)

Where;

W = Total number of respondents per selected peasant association.

A = Total number of households living per selected peasant association having a minimum 1 ha of land and livestock.

B = Total sum of households living in all selected sample peasant associations having a minimum 1 ha of land and livestock

n_o = the total required calculated sample size.

2.3. Data collection

Before the actual data collection, a semi-structured questionnaire was created and pretested on three randomly selected households in each Kebeles. Then, information was gathered from primary sources, primarily households, using a structured questionnaire which followed by an observation (visit). The district agriculture office experts and development agents (DA) provided support during the interviews held at the farmers' homes. Secondary data were collected from relevant sources such as agricultural offices (zones and districts), manuscripts, and other trustworthy sources. In this study, information on socioeconomic traits, beef cattle fattening procedures, herd size, choice of fattening period, market access, challenges, and opportunities was gathered.

2.4. Data analysis

Qualitative data that had been collected were analyzed using the software program SPSS version 20. We also used descriptive data such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard errors to analyze the data. Additionally, we compared the means of quantitative data between research sites using the GLM algorithm of SPSS. Statistical differences between quantitative variables were considered significant if the P-value was less than 0.05. In cases where the statistical difference was significant, we assessed the mean difference using the Tukey test. We used the Pearson Chi-square test (X2-test) to evaluate the statistical association among categorical variables, and a P-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Tables were used to present summary statistics such as percentage, frequency, mean, and standard errors, while graphs were used to present percentages.

Model statement to study the effect of zone difference on various parameters of beef cattle production was the following (Equation (3)) [16].

$${\mathrm{Y}}_{\text{ij}}=\mathrm{\mu }+{\mathrm{A}}_{\mathrm{i}}+{\mathrm{\epsilon }}_{\text{ij}}$$ (3)

Where,

Y_ij = the value of the respective variable mentioned above (observation or response for a given variable) for jth beef cattle/feed evaluation in ith zone.

μ = the overall (grand) mean.

A_i = the effect of zone (i = 2; Bench Sheko and Sheka).

ε_ij = the residual error.

Index was computed by using the following equation:

Priority Index = Sum (n x number of HHs ranked first) + (n-1) x number of HHs ranked second + (n-2) x number of HHs ranked third + … + 1 x number of HHs ranked last) for one factor divided by the sum of (n x number of HHs ranked first+ (n-1) x number of HHs ranked second+(n-2) x number of HHs ranked third + …. +1x number of HHs ranked last) for all factors, and where n = number of factors under consideration and HH =Households. The variable with the highest index value is the highest economically important [17].

3. Results and discussion

3.1. Demographic characteristics of respondents

Table 1 summarizes the respondents' demographic characteristics. The findings indicated that, of all the houses surveyed, 84.9 % had a male head of household, while 15.5 % had a female head of household. This male dominancy implies the need for much energy and extensive off-farm activities to supply feed and water, handle aggressive cattle, and purchase and sell finished cattle which are difficult for many females. This also suggests that male-dominated households engaged in the area's predominant form of cattle fattening. According to Ref. [[18], [19]], the male and female heads of households in the Adami Tullu district of Jiddo Kombolcha district and the Derashe district of southwest Ethiopia were 85 15 %, and 87.7 and 12.3 %, respectively. Incomparable with this result [20] reported that more male-headed (87.4 %) households than female (12.6 %) were involved in cattle fattening in the West Hararghe Zone of Ethiopia due to the nature of fattening which needs intensive energy for management and high burden of female on household chores and non-farm activities. Contradicting this finding [21], found 98 and 2 % male and female heads from the Gimbi district of West Wellega Zone, respectively. In the Lemo area of the Hadiya Zone [22], similarly reported somewhat lower results (64 % male and 36 % female).

Table 1.

Demographic Characteristics of Respondent of the study areas.

Demographic characteristics of Respondent	Bench Sheko (N = 256)	Sheka (N = 128)	Overall (N = 384)	X2	P-value
Sex (%)				0.162	0.763
Male	216(84.4)	110(85.9)	326(84.9)
Female	40(15.6)	18(14.1)	58(15.1)
Age (Mean ± SE)	39.61 ± 0.52	40.39 ± 0.73	40 ± 0.62	–	0.506
Marital status				2.885	0.72
Married	246(96.1)	118(92.2)	364(94.8)
Single	7(2.7)	6(4.7)	13(3.4)
Widowed	3(1.2)	4(3.1)	7(1.8)
Religion (%)				7.6	0.053
Orthodox	108(42.2)	38(29.7)	146(38)
Protestant	120(46.9)	78(60.9)	198(51.6)
Catholic	8(3.1)	5(3.9)	13(3.4)
Muslim	20(7.8)	7(5.5)	27(7)
Educational level of the respondent (%)				26.268	0.001
Illiterate	33(12.9)	10(6.3)	43(10.7)
Read and write	94(36.7)	21(16.4)	115(29.9)
Primary (1st - 8th)	82(32)	68(53.1)	150(39.1)
Secondary (9th - 12th)	28(10.9)	15(13.3)	43(11.7)
Above 12th	19(7.4)	14(10.9)	33(8.6)

N = number of respondents, numbers outside bracket are frequency (counts), numbers inside bracket are percentage, X² = Chi-square test.

The average age of the respondents was 40 years, which suggests that they are at a productive age for agricultural activities like managing and marketing procedures for beef cattle. This figure is consistent with the West Hararghe Zone of Oromia Regional State's estimated mean age of 41.27 years [23]. Comparable to this result [24], also reported from the Jimma Zone of southwest Ethiopia that the average of households was 41.9 years which is within the range of productive age [19]. reported from the Derashe Special District of South West Ethiopia showed values that were somewhat higher than 42.93. Conversely [25], reported 38.5 years of the average age of the respondents from Dessie and Kombolch. Contradicting the current result [26], reported 43.83 years of the average age of the respondents from Moretna Jiru district.

The majority of respondents (94.8 %) were married, while only 3.4 and 1.8 % of them were single and widowed, respectively. Regarding religion, 38, 7, and 3.4 % of people identified as Orthodox, Muslim, or Catholic, respectively, while 51.6 % identified as Protestant. Regarding educational level, primary cycle respondents (grades 1–8) had the greatest response rate (39.1 %), followed by read and write (29.9 %), secondary cycle (11.7 %), illiterate (10.7 %), and respondents who had completed grade 12 or higher (8.6 %). There was a highly significant (P < 0.001) correlation between the study areas and respondents' educational level. Sheka reported having more attendees with a high school diploma (10.9 %) than Bench Sheko (7.4 %). The educational level above the 12th grade (10.9 %) attained in Sheka represents the increased likelihood of accepting and putting into practice advised fattening methods that are consistently promoted by extension workers in the area. In line with the current result [27] reported that the educational level of cattle fattening households might be important in identifying and determining the type of development and extension services approach in Bahir Dar Special Zone. According to a [19] report, 43.6 % of people of South West Ethiopia's Derashe Special District had completed their primary education. In line with the current study [28], also noted that households' low levels of education may have an impact on the dissemination of agricultural technologies and their participation in development. Similarly [25], described that the education level of the household heads who participated in cattle fattening practices in Dessie and Kombolcha might hurt new fattening technology introduction and better production activities [29]. also reported that farmers who can read and write, understand, provide better opportunities to implement technologies, better management, and effective utilization of resources in West Hararghe Zone.

3.2. Beef cattle fattening practices

Table 2 shows the study area's beef cattle fattening system, experience, criteria, and target sex for fattening. Different methods of fattening beef cattle were employed in the research area. According to the overall findings, the majority of producers (87.5 %) employed extensive/traditional backyard fattening systems, whereas 12.5 % used small-scale/peri-urban fattening systems [30]. described three key fattening systems in Ethiopia: the traditional system, the product-based system, and the Hararghe fattening system. Comparably [31], reported that most of the respondents (43 %) practiced traditional cattle fattening systems in the tropical highlands of Ethiopia. Conversely [32], reported that all respondents (100 %) had used by product-based fattening system in Gonder town. The beef cattle fattening technique showed a significant (P < 0.05) connection between the research locations (zones). Comparing Bench Sheko (85.2 %) and Sheka (92.2 %), Sheka had a greater response rate that used an extensive fattening system. Those variations might be due to the variation in land holding and inputs/feeds for their cattle. In comparison to Sheka (7.8 %), Benck Sheko (14.8 %) had a greater number of respondents who used small-scale/peri-urban fattening methods. These variations may be the result of respondents' intense desire to sell fattened livestock to nearby urban markets for a higher profit.

Table 2.

Beef cattle fattening system, experience, and criterion and target sex in the study area (%).

Fattening practices	Bench Sheko (N = 256)	Sheka (N = 128)	Overall (N = 384)	X2	P-value
Type of beef cattle fattening system				3.857	0.04
Extensive/traditional/back-yard	218(85.2)	118(92.2)	336(87.5)
Small scale peri-urban	38(14.8)	10(7.8)	48(12.5)
Beef cattle fattening experience				44.54	0.001
<2 years	76(29.7)	3(2.3)	79(20.6)
2–5 years	76(29.7)	37(28.9)	113(29.4)
5–10 years	81(31.6)	68(53.1)	149(38.8)
>10 years	23(9)	20(15.6)	43(11.2)
Preferred breeds for fattening				29.41	0.001
Local	189(73.8)	74(57.8)	263(68.5)
Cross	50(19.5)	20(15.6)	70(18.2)
Local and cross	17(6.6)	34(26.6)	51(13.3)
Criterions used for buying fattening cattle				1.908	0.753
Age	65(25.4)	29(22.7)	94(24.5)
Sex	9(3.5)	7(5.5)	16(4.2)
Body condition	136(53.1)	65(50.8)	201(52.3)
Age and body condition	13(5.1)	6(4.7)	19(4.9)
All criterions	33(12.9)	21(16.4)	54(14.1)
Sex target for fattening (%)				11.758	0.003
Male	213(83.2)	110(85.9)	323(84.1)
Female	3(1.2)	8(6.3)	11(2.9)
Both	40(15.6)	10(7.8)	50(13)
Type of cattle prefer for fattening purpose (%)				40.097	0.001
Old/worked oxen	69(27)	52(40.6)	121(31.5)
Matured oxen	65(25.4)	55(43)	120(31.2)
Young bulls	112(43.8)	15(11.7)	127(33.1)
Unproductive cows	10(3.9)	6(4.7)	16(4.2)

N = number of respondents, numbers outside bracket are frequency (counts), numbers inside bracket are percentage.

The current study indicated that 38.8 % had been raising beef cattle for five to ten years, while 11.2 % had been fattening in the study region for more than ten years. Between research areas, there was a highly significant (P < 0.001) correlation among fattening experiences [33]. indicated that participants' average cattle fattening experiences ranged from 1.9 to 7.6 years in Kombolcha town's urban and peri-urban areas, which is slightly in line with this finding.

The majority of responders (68.5 %) favored native breeds of cattle for fattening, whereas 18.2 and 13.3 % preferred crossbreed only, and local crossbreeds, respectively. The availability of local breeds and the ease of their management may be reflected in the larger percentage of local breed preference compared to cross-breed. Between research sites, there was a highly significant (P < 0.001) correlation in the case of breed preference for fattening. Comparatively fewer respondents in Sheka (15.5 %) than in Benck Sheko (19.5 %) selected crossbreeds for fattening. This variation in breed choice in those two research zones might be the result of different breeds being more or less readily available due to a lack of breed improvement efforts. According to Ref. [32], local breeds (58.8 %), crossbreeds (10 %), and both local and crossbreeds (31.2 %) of cattle were used in Gonder for fattening. This result is also in line with the findings of [34], who showed that native (86.1 %), and local and crossbred (13.9 %) cattle were used for fattening in and around Mekele.

At the time of purchasing cattle for fattening, fatteners in the study area used various criteria to select fattening cattle. When purchasing their fattening cattle, more than half (52.3 %) of the fatteners used body condition as a criterion, while the least (4.2 %) used sex as a criterion. The majority (84.1 %) of those who used sex as a criterion targeted male cattle, oxen, and bulls for fattening, followed by males and females (13 %) and only females (2.9 %). Among research locations, there was a highly significant (P < 0.005) relationship between the sex of cattle preference for fattening.

This fluctuation may be explained by market demand and remunerative price. According to the [35] report the body condition of the animals was the most prevalent factor utilized to determine the length of the fattening period, which is consistent with the current findings. According to Ref. [36] who found a similar outcome, in North Western Ethiopia, 16.67 % of cattle kept for fattening are both female and male, while 83.33 % of respondents fatten male calves only [25]. disagreed with this finding; all (100 %) respondents had chosen male cattle for fattening purposes in Dessie and Kombolcha of the Amhara regional state. According to Ref. [7], fatteners of cattle preferred to fatten steer (52 %) and bull (48 %), which is contrary to the current observations.

About 33.1 %, 31.5 %, 31.2 %, and 4.2 % of respondents preferred young bulls, old/worked oxen, matured oxen, and unproductive cows, respectively, for fattening. There was a highly significant (P < 0.001) association between study areas.

Table 3 displays the preferred age, source, feeding frequency, and length of fattening for beef cattle in the study area. The mean age of male cattle favored for fattening was 4.51 ± 0.082, whereas the mean age of female calves was 4.84 ± 0.089 years. The mean age of the male cattle that were favored for fattening in the research locations differed significantly (P < 0.05). Significantly (P < 0.001) higher mean age (4.72 years) of male cattle in Sheka was preferred for fattening than Bench Sheko (4.25 years). These changes may be a result of the widespread usage of male animals (bulls and oxen) for crop production, such as plowing. However, there was no difference in the mean age favored for female cattle in the two study locations. Similar to the current finding [25], revealed that almost all respondents preferred the age of cattle reached to 4.5 years in which the milk teeth were entirely replaced by permanent teeth in Dessie and Kombolcha of Amhara regional state. In contrary to this study [37], claimed that cattle fatteners chose and fattened, mature and considerably older animals [36]. found that the majority (53.33 %) of respondents chose 7 to 8-year-old beef cattle as the ideal age for fattening.

Table 3.

Beef cattle preferred age, source, feeding frequency and fattening length in the study area (%).

Fattening practices	Bench Sheko (N = 256)	Sheka (N = 128)	Overall (N = 384)	X2	P-value
Age of cattle prefer for fattening (Mean ± SE)
Male	4.29 ± 0.095a	4.72 ± 0.134b	4.51 ± 0.082	–	0.009
Female	4.91 ± 0.103	4.78 ± 0.146	4.84 ± 0.089	–	0.458
Source for fattening cattle (%)				3.309	0.346
Market	206(80.5)	98(76.6)	304(79.2)
Relatives/neighbors	27(10.5)	12(9.4)	39(10.2)
Culled cattle from own herd due to old age	12(4.7)	12(9.4)	24(6.3)
Culled cattle from own herd being unproductive	11(4.3)	6(4.7)	17(4.4)
Frequency of fattening per year (%)				26.261	0.001
One times	16(6.3)	7(5.5)	23(6)
Two times	159(62.1)	67(52.3)	226(58.9)
Three times	56(21.9)	54(42.2)	110(28.6)
Four times	25(9.8)	–	25(6.5)
Amount of cattle fatten per period (Mean ± SE)	3.14 ± 0.089a	3.67 ± 0.126b	3.41 ± 0.077	–	0.001
Ways of deciding finishing period (%)				25.0.16	0.001
Calculating feeding length	4(1.6)	15(11.7)	19(4.9)
Considering live-weight change	224(87.5)	89(69.5)	313(81.5)
Anticipated current and future price	28(10.9)	24(18.8)	52(13.5)
Feeding length for fattening (%)				24.722	0.001
Two months	15(5.9)	15(11.7)	30(7.8)
Three months	82(32)	67(52.3)	149(38.8)
Four months	71(27.7)	18(14.1)	89(23.2)
Five months	39(15.2)	15(11.7)	54(14.1)
Six months	49(19.1)	13(10.2)	62(16.1)

N = number of respondents, numbers outside bracket are frequency (counts), numbers inside bracket are percentage, a,b Means in the same row with different superscripts are significantly different (P < 0.05).

SE= Standard error of mean.

The market was the primary source of fattening cattle for 79.2 % of respondents, while the remaining (4.4 %) came from culling their own herds of unproductive animals. In contrast to this finding [25], stated that all of the cattle fatteners in the municipalities of Dessie and Kombolcha came from the owners' farms (62.2 %) and markets (33.3 %) [7]. reported that the cattle fatteners in the Harshin District of the Somali regional state obtained their fattening livestock through farm gates (62.2 %), primary markets (33.3 %), and secondary markets (4.5 %) [38]. disagreed with this finding and claimed that the sources of fattening cattle were purchased cattle from the market (55.7 %), culled old unproductive oxen (34.6 %), and both culled and purchased cattle (9.7 %).

Only 6 % of respondents said that they practice fattening just once a year, compared to 58.9 % of respondents who experienced fattening twice a year. This suggests that they engaged in other activities in the study areas besides simply fattening cattle. In terms of fattening frequency, there was a highly significant (P < 0.001) correlation between research locations. In Bench Sheko, more respondents (62.1 %) fattened twice a year than in Sheka (52.3 %), and none of the respondents fattened their cattle four times in Sheka compared to 9.8 % in Bench Sheko. These changes may be attributable to variations in urbanization, population size, and needs and frequency of meat intake. This finding was supported by Ref. [39], who report that the frequency of fattening cattle during the year was three times, twice, and once in Ilu Aba Bora Zone, Oromia region. Contrary to this result [35], as cited by Ref. [40] reported that the cycle of fattening animals was once per year (highland), twice per year (lowland), and three times per year (mid-altitude).

About 38.8 % of respondents reported that they fed their fattening cattle for three months while 23.2, 16.1, 14.1, and 7.8 % fed for four, six, five, and two months, respectively. There was a highly significant (P < 0.001) association between the study areas in the feeding length of fattened cattle. These variations may be attributed to the variation in demand and market accessibility of fattened cattle and their feed availability. In line with the current result [36], reported that the duration of fattening to finish usually took 3 months (83.33 %), 3.5 months (13.33 %), and four months (3.33 %). Disagree with this result [38], reported five fattening lengths as 2 months (12.5 %), 3 months (50 %), 3.5 months (20.5 %), 4 months (14.3 %), and 4.5 months (2.7 %) of the fattening period and from them, 3 months (50 %) and 3.5 months (20.5 %) are optimum in Jabitehnan district of Amhara regional state. In line with this result [41], reported that the majority of the beef fatteners used 3–4 months of duration to finish the fattening process in the Guduru and Hababo Guduru districts of the Oromia region. Contrary to this result [42], reported that 30 %, 50 %, and 20 % of the respondents used <3 months, 3–6 months, and >6 months of fattening length, respectively in the Dermot Pullassa district of the Wolayta zone of the south region.

The overall mean number of cattle fattened per household per fattening period was 3.41 ± 0.077 in the study area. However, a significantly (P < 0.001) higher number of cattle (3.67) in Sheka was fattened per fattening period than in Bench Sheko (3.14). This variation may be due to the existence of plenty of land and feed availability in the study areas. The respondents in the study area used different ways to decide the finishing period of their fattening cattle. The majority (81.5 %) of the respondents did decide by considering live weight change whereas the rest 13.5 and 4.9 % decided by anticipating current and future prices and calculating feeding length, respectively. There was a highly significant (P < 0.001) association between the study areas in ways of deciding the finishing (end) of the feeding period. A higher proportion (87.5 %) of respondents in Bench Sheko decided to finish the period considering live weight change than Sheka. This variation might be due to the variation in market accessibility and customer demand in the study areas. Slightly in line with this finding [36], reported that the decision to finish the period of cattle was based on considering the rate of live weight change (56.67 %), while 40 % of them were anticipated current and future prices, and others by calculating feeding length (3.33 %) in North Western Ethiopia. Disagree with this finding [32], reported that respondents determine the end of the finishing period by considering body condition (25 %) and anticipated current and future prices (75 %).

3.3. Marketing system of beef cattle

Marketing and related parameters of beef cattle in the study area are shown in Table 4. The results showed that most (84.6 %) of respondents had fattened their cattle for target/anticipated market seasons/occasions, whereas 15.4 % had not. The majority (86.3 %) of the respondents used a local market to buy and sell their cattle. There was a highly significant (P < 0.001) correlation between research areas in the case of fattening cattle for a target market. Bench Sheko had a higher percentage (90.6 %) of respondents who reported using a marketplace to sell and purchase their fattened cattle than the Sheka zone (78.9 %). This variation may be the result of the local governments' varying attention to the local marketing chain and channel improvements.

Table 4.

Marketing and related parameters of beef cattle in the study area (%).

Marketing of beef cattle	Bench Sheko (N = 256)	Sheka (N = 128)	Overall (N = 384)	X2	P-value
Fattening cattle for target market seasons/months				3.615	0.057
Yes	223(87.1)	102(79.7)	325(84.6)
No	33(12.9)	26(20.3)	59(15.4)
Market place for buying and selling cattle in locality				10.175	0.001
Yes	232(90.6)	101(78.9)	333(86.3)
No	24(9.4)	27(21.1)	51(13.3)
Road(track) accessibility for cars				5.933	0.015
Yes	226(88.3)	101(78.9)	327(85.2)
No	30(11.7)	27(21.1)	57(14.8)
Market used to sale and buy fattened cattle				49.319	0.001
Village market	245(95.7)	92(71.9)	337(87.8)
Urban market	4(1.6)	3(2.3)	7(1.8)
Both village & urban markets	7(2.7)	33(25.8)	40(10.4)
Price information to sale				1.608	0.205
Yes	210(82)	98(76.6)	308(80.2)
No	46(18)	30(23.4)	76(19.8)
Sources of market information				8.535	0.014
DA	42(20)	27(27.6)	69(22.4)
Relatives	47(22.4)	32(32.7)	79(25.6)
Brokers	121(57.6)	39(39.8)	160(51.9)

N = number of respondents, numbers outside bracket are frequency (counts), numbers inside bracket are percentage.

About (85.2 %) of the respondents had road/track accessibility for cars to transport their fattened cattle to the marketplace. However, according to the respondents, many of the fatteners trekked their cattle to the marketplaces and/or homes on foot. Moreover, marketing of fattening cattle and other cattle occurred at the same place of open field mixed with. This may cause transmission of zoonotic diseases. However, there was a significant (P < 0.05) association between the study areas in road/track accessibility for cars. Bench Sheko (88.3 %) had more road/track accessibility for cars than the Sheka (78.9 %) zone. The majority (87.8 %) of respondents used the village market to sell and buy their fattened cattle followed by the use of both village and urban market (10.4 %), and urban market only (1.8 %). There was a highly significant (P < 0.001) association between study areas in markets to sell and buy fattened cattle. Higher proportions (95.7 %) of respondents in Bench Sheko used village markets to sell and buy their fattened cattle than Sheka (71.9 %), but urban markets were the least option for both study areas. The difference in market choice to sell their cattle between the two study areas was attributed to variations in road/track and customer accessibility. In line with this result [7], reported that the selling of fattened cattle was undertaken at the local market (86.7 %) and urban market (13.3 %) in the Harshin district of the Somali regional state.

About 80.2 % of respondents had got price information to sell their fattened cattle from brokers in the market (51.9), relatives (25.6), and DAs in the village (22.4 %) in the study areas (Table 4). However, the rest (19.8 %) did not get price information before they went to market. There was a significant (P < 0.05) association between study areas in market information. A higher proportion (57.6 %) of respondents in Bench Sheko got price information from brokers than Sheka (39.8 %) but the least (20 %) proportion of respondents in Bench Sheko got price information from DAs than Sheka (27 %). Slightly in line with this result [43], reported that 92 % of the respondents in the Borena zone get market information before they sell their cattle. Disagree with this result [32], reported that most of the HHs use relatives (43.8 %), neighbors (50.0 %), cooperative members (3.7 %), and own market visits (2.5 %) to get price information.

As shown in Table 5, the New Year festival was the priority for beef cattle marketing, followed by Easter, Cross/meskel, Christ Mass, and Ed al Fetir in the study area. However, except for New Year and Ed al Fetir, the rest fattening priorities vary along season/occasion in Sheka and Bench Sheko zones. In line with this result, Ayalew and Tamiru (2018) reported that the demand for beef cattle increased during the time of holidays in Gonder of Amhara regional state [44]. reported the confirmed result that finished cattle are sold at an attractive price due to the maximum consumption of beef during main holidays in the central Rift Valley of Oromia regional state [36]. reported the confirmed result that from the total of household respondents, 60 % participated in fattening at the time of holiday, however, 40 % of them were involved at the time of non-holidays, and to some extent, cattle fattening activity starting from September to January (33.33 %), targeting to deliver fattened cattle for Meskel and Christmas in North Western Ethiopia.

Table 5.

Target season (occasions) of beef cattle marketing in the study area (Rank).

Season/months of beef cattle marketing	Bench Sheko (N = 256)		Sheka (N = 128)		Overall (N = 384)
	Index	Rank	Index	Rank	Index	Rank
New year festival	0.267	1st	0.251	1st	0.262	1st
Easter	0.229	2nd	0.237	3rd	0.232	2nd
Christmas	0.186	4th	0.239	2nd	0.203	4th
Cross/Meskel	0.213	3rd	0.189	4th	0.205	3rd
Ed al Fetir	0.105	5th	0.084	5th	0.098	5th

As can be seen in Fig. 2 below, the overall results showed that local butchers were the largest (62.2 %) clients followed by retailers (17.7 %), collectors (8.1 %), entire sellers (6.2 %), and both local butters and retailers (5.7 %) to sell fattened cattle in the study area. Comparatively local butters were the top buyers of fattened cattle in Bench Sheko (66.8 %) compared to Sheka (53.1 %), whereas retailers were the top buyers in Sheka (39.8 %) compared to Bench Sheko (6.6 %). These fluctuations are related to changes in urbanization and the demand for beef among people [39]. reported that traders, middlemen/brokers, butchers, and restaurant owners made up the beef cattle market actors, which is in line with the current finding.

Fig. 2.

Usual customers of fattened cattle in the study area (%)

X2 = 78.946, P < 0.001.

Table 6 displays the quantity of fattened animals sold to consumers each year. In the study areas, cattle finishers sold their animals to a variety of buyers. According to the findings, the average number of fattened cattle sold to local butchers in the study area was 3.79, followed by merchants (1.81), collectors (0.52), local butchers and collectors (0.45), and whole sellers (0.17). The mean cattle sold to local butchers and retailers as well as retailers alone in the study area, however, differed in a statistically significant way. Significantly (P < 0.001) higher fattened cattle was sold to retailers in Sheka (2.7) than Bench Sheko (0.93). But, significantly (P < 0.05) lower fattened cattle was sold to local butchers and retailers in Sheka (0.28) than Bench Sheko (0.61). This variation might be due to difference in availability of fattened cattle and retailers and butchers in the study areas. In contrast to this finding [39], found that in Ilu Aba Bora Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia, primary (district level) marketplaces sold comparatively less animals each week or per market day.

Table 6.

Number of fattened cattle sold per year for customers in the study areas (Mean ± SE).

Customers of beef producers	Bench Sheko (N = 256)	Sheka (N = 128)	Overall (N = 384)	P-value
Local butchers	3.76 ± 0.176	3.82 ± 0.249	3.79 ± 0.152	0.823
Retailers	0.93 ± 0.184a	2.70 ± 0.259b	1.81 ± 0.159	0.001
Collectors	0.61 ± 0.129	0.42 ± 0.182	0.52 ± 0.112	0.380
Whole sellers	0.24 ± 0.046	0.12 ± 0.064	0.17 ± 0.039	0.071
Local butchers and retailers	0.61 ± 0.076a	0.28 ± 0.107b	0.45 ± 0.066	0.014

a,b Means in the same row with different superscripts are significantly different (P < 0.05); SE= Standard error of mean.

Age, sex, size, color, and breed in the study area came after the body conformation of fattened cattle in order to assess price (Table 7). The Bench Sheko and Sheka zones both placed a high focus on body conformation, while sex and breed were the least desirable characteristics in those zones. This variation may be the result of attitude and experience differences among the local population. According to Ref. [32], the price is based on the animal's weight (87.5 %) and age (12.5 %).

Table 7.

Bases to estimate the cost of beef cattle in the study area (Rank).

Bases to estimate the cost of beef cattle	Bench Sheko (N = 256)		Sheka (N = 128)		Overall (N = 384)
	Index	Rank	Index	Rank	Index	Rank
Age	0.148	3rd	0.100	4th	0.132	2nd
Body conformation	0.221	1st	0.209	1st	0.217	1st
Sex	0.155	2nd	0.076	6th	0.129	3rd
Color	0.107	4th	0.122	3rd	0.112	5th
Size	0.095	5th	0.175	2nd	0.121	4th
Breed	0.083	6th	0.087	5th	0.084	6th

3.4. Major constraints of beef cattle production

Table 8 displays the constraints on fattening beef cattle. In the study areas, there were several restrictions on the fattening of beef cattle. The present study revealed that disease and parasites were the primary constraints, followed by a lack of feed, water, an inappropriate breed, inadequate extension support, and a lack of credit. In Bench Sheko and Sheka zones, disease and parasites are the major constraints, while credit availability and shortages of water are the minor ones. This difference may be related to the varying climatic influences and extension services for health care, feeding, watering, breeding, training, and credit/loan services for all small-scale fatteners in the area. In line with this finding [7], noted that sickness was the primary (46 %) issue for cattle that were being fattened. Similar to this finding [39], revealed that in the Illu Aba Bora Zone of Oromia regional state, disease, a lack of grazing pastures, and a lack of water, respectively, were identified as the most significant limits to cattle production, followed by other constraints. Contrary to this finding [36], claimed that a lack of initial capital, a lack of feed and water, a lack of land, the prevalence of disease, and a lack of awareness (40, 26.67, 16.67, 10, and 6.67 %, respectively) were issues that impacted the performance of cattle fattening.

Table 8.

Major constraints of beef cattle production in the study area (Rank).

Production constraints	Bench Sheko (N = 256)		Sheka (N = 128)		Total (N = 384)
	Index	Rank	Index	Rank	Index	Rank
Disease and parasites	0.204	1st	0.191	1st	0.200	1st
Feed shortage	0.179	2nd	0.143	4th	0.167	2nd
Water shortage	0.170	3rd	0.119	6th	0.153	3rd
Lack of appropriate breed of animals	0.139	4th	0.135	5th	0.137	4th
Inadequate of extension support	0.111	5th	0.184	2nd	0.135	5th
Lack of credits	0.104	6th	0.165	3rd	0.125	6th

Table 9 shows the constraints on the marketing of beef cattle in the study area. The findings indicated that the main issues to the marketing of beef cattle in the study areas were seasonal variations in market demand and price (50.8 %), which were followed by a lack of market and price information (21.5 %), unwanted brokers, high commission fees (17.7 %), tax burdens (8.3 %), and a lack of an organized market (1.7 %). In terms of marketing constraints, there was a highly significant association (P < 0.001) between study areas. These variations may be due to the difference between these areas in urbanization and proximity to high transportation access areas. The marketing system in the studied areas has been characterized by a lack of infrastructure such as fences, pens, scales for weighing animals, feeding and watering stations, and resting spots [45]. observed that the lack of market knowledge, price variance in various markets, and an unorganized marketing structure were issues for cattle fattening in several markets of the Lemo and Sero woreda of the Hadya zone of Southern Ethiopia.

Table 9.

Major constraints of beef cattle marketing in the study area (%).

Parameters	Bench Sheko (N = 256)	Sheka (N = 128)	Overall (384)	X2	P-value
Marketing constraints				18.19	0.001
Yes	101(39.5)	80(62.5)	181(47.1)
No	155(60.5)	48(37.5)	203(52.9)
Types of marketing constraints				29.845	0.001
Tax burden	11(10.9)	4(5)	15(8.3)
Unwanted brokers and high commission fees	30(29.7)	2(2.5)	32(17.7)
Seasonality of market demand and prices	41(40.6)	51(63.8)	92(50.8)
Lack of organized market	–	3(3.8)	3(1.7)
Lack of market and price information	19(18.8)	20(25)	39(21.5)

N = number of respondents, numbers outside bracket are frequency (counts), numbers inside bracket are percentage.

3.5. Major opportunities for beef cattle production and marketing

As shown in Table 10, the major opportunity for the production and marketing of beef cattle in the study area was the increase in meat consumption demand over time (41.7 %), followed by environmental suitability (28.1 %), rapid population growth (17.2 %), technological advancements (9.6 %), and urbanization (3.4 %). The location and environmental conditions of the study region are highly suited for the production of beef cattle, according to respondents and specialists from the different offices. This is a result of the prolonged rainy seasons, which produce a favorable climate and a surplus of natural forages in the region. Similar to the findings of the present study [46], reported that the high demand for livestock and livestock products in the local market as a result of population growth, urbanization, and income growth can be seen as a chance for the livestock producers in Jimma Zone of South West Ethiopia [33]. revealed better environmental conditions, feed supplies, and cattle marketing potential and identified a cattle fattening possibility in Kombolcha of the Amhara area, which is in line with this result. Disagreeing with this finding [33], reported that the identified cattle fattening opportunities in Kombolcha town were related to housing, governmental considerations, motives, and support, infrastructure, and veterinary services in urban and peri-urban kebeles of Kombolcha town of South Wollo Zone of Ethiopia.

Table 10.

Major opportunities of beef cattle production and marketing in the study area (%).

Major opportunities	Bench Sheko (N = 256)	Sheka (N = 128)	Overall (N = 384)	X2	P-value
Increase of meat demand	108(42.2)	52(40.6)	160(41.7)	3.803	0.433
Rapid human population growth	49(19.1)	17(13.3)	66(17.2)
Urbanization	9(3.5)	4(3.1)	13(3.4)
Technological changes in communication	21(8.2)	16(12.5)	37(9.6)
Environmental suitability for production	69(27)	39(30.5)	108(28.1)

N = number of respondents, numbers outside bracket are frequency (counts), numbers inside bracket are percentage.

4. Conclusion

This study implies that it showed that an extensive system was the dominant beef cattle fattening system practiced in the Bench Sheko and Sheka zones. Local cattle breeds were highly preferred for fattening and body condition was taken as the major criteria for buying, selling, and deciding price in the study areas. However, younger male cattle were more preferred for fattening than female. Feeding length did last for most fatteners about three months. Village markets were the main places to sell and buy their cattle while local butchers were their main customers. Disease and parasites were ranked as the first constraints for beef cattle production; whereas seasonal fluctuation of their demand and price also limited their marketing potential. In the study area, prevailing beef cattle production practices were not improved due to various environmental factors, such as poor housing, feeding, and watering, weak health care, local breed preference, and mismatched marketing systems.

Funding statement

Mizan-Tepi University for financial support only to conduct research.

Ethics approval

Not applicable.

Data availability

Data included in article/supp. material/referenced in article.

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Matawork Milikias: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Validation, Supervision, Software, Resources, Project administration, Methodology, Investigation, Funding acquisition, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization. Mitiku Gebre: Writing – review & editing, Writing – original draft, Visualization, Validation, Supervision, Software, Resources, Methodology, Investigation, Funding acquisition, Formal analysis, Data curation, Conceptualization.

Declaration of competing interest

Behalf of all authors, the corresponding author has no conflict of interest.

Appendix A. Supplementary data

The following is the supplementary data to this article: