Abstract This study determined the water-use efficiency for post-weaning growth performance of different frame sizes beef cattle under intensive production system. A total of 33 beef cattle weaners of three different frame sizes (small, medium, and large) were randomly allocated individually to metabolic pens. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. The water intake (WI), feed intake (FI) and weight were measured across different feeding phases (starter, grower, and finisher). Water consumption (WC) average daily gain (ADG), weight gain (WG), water intake efficiency (WIE), water footprint per animal (WFP/AU) and WFP/kg were computed. The General Linear Model of Statical Analysis Software (SAS) was used to analyze the data, and means were separated using Fisher’s LSD test. Results showed that large frame size beef cattle had significantly (p 0.05) higher initial and final weights, as well as higher FI (1025.21 kg) and WI (3394 L), compared to medium and small frame size beef cattle. Medium frame size beef cattle finished with higher ADG (1.48 kg/day) and WIE (20.15 L/kg gain), suggesting a more balanced efficiency between growth and water utilization. Small frame size beef cattle demonstrated higher water consumption efficiency (WCE) of 0.051 kg/L and lower water footprint per animal unit (WFP/AU) of 3822 L, indicating greater adaptability to water-limited conditions. These findings suggest that medium frame size beef cattle offer an optimal balance between productivity and resource efficiency.
Ngxumeshe et al. (Thu,) studied this question.