Present Status on the Use of Anabolic Steroids and Feed Additives in Small Scale Cattle Fattening in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study was conducted to find out the relationship among different aspects of cattle fattening and use of anabolic steroids and feed additives. The data were collected through an interview schedule from 150 respondents of 6 upazila of 3 districts who were involved in small scale cattle fattening. Parameters were studied in relation to socio-economic conditions of farmers and use of anabolic steroids and feed additives and their effects on animals and environment. In this study 72% farmers' were involved in agriculture, followed by 23.3% in livestock business. About 46% farmers had primary education, 10.7% had higher secondary school certificates, 5% obtained above higher secondary education and the rest of them were illiterate. Irrespective of literacy only 9.3% of the farmer had training. About 89.3% respondents used their own labors, 7.3% dependent on hired labor and the rest 3.3% get labour from both sources. Results showed that about 58% respondents used anabolic steroids for the duration of 3 to 6 months long cattle fattening (P<0.001) program. The chi-square (14.09) value of annual income indicates that with increase of annual income, use of anabolic steroids have decreased. The significant (P<0.01) association was observed in case of anabolic steroids and source of money, annual income, number of cattle fattening, breeds, fattening period, starting and finishing age. The r s value of annual income, source of money, starting and finishing age were positively correlated with feed additives. About 78% respondents used feed additives for cattle fattening from own resources (P<0.001) and most of cattle fattened for 3 to 6 months (P<0.01). The result demonstrated that respondents of low annual income used more anabolic steroid and feed additives as a growth promoter for cattle fattening and they prefer in powder form.

Study of cattle fattening system in selected region of Bangladesh

“…It was revealed that 32% of farmers selected beef type cattle for fattening purpose and the rest of them selected dairy and beef for rearing ( Table 2). The result of this study was not similar to Islam et al (2012) where they showed that majority (92%) of farmers selected beef type cattle for fattening purpose. We surveyed all types of farmers where only large farmers reared beef type cattle only for beef fattening.…”

“…About 51.3% of the farmers run their cattle fattening business by own money, 20% from NGO loan, 23.8% bank loan, 5% taken loan from mohajon. In case of training, only 23.8% respondents had cattle fattening training and 76.3% farmers whom had not any training on cattle rearing and corroborated with the earlier findings (Ahmed et al, 2010;Rahman et al, 2012;Islam et al, 2012). Currently, higher educated (graduation) people are attracting towards the livestock business then before (Hossen et al, 2008;Sharma et al, 2014 andRahman et al, 2012).…”

“…were using n Bangladesh. (Islam et al, 2012). Experts believe that cattle feed shortages have been a major limitation to improve cattle productivity in Bangladesh.…”

“…In Bangladesh, feed additives and growth promoters imported by pharmaceutical industries and overseas marketing agencies and attract farmers to use them in fattening animals. Most of the cattle brought for sale as sacrificial animals in the northern districts ahead of Eid-ul-Adha are fattened allegedly by unscrupulous cattle traders ignoring the scientific formula prescribed by Livestock Department for rapid live weight gain and quick profits (Islam et al, 2012). Apparently, the animals look very attractive, muscular and high live weight but the consumers are very disappointed by deception and cheating.…”

Evaluation of existing slaughter act and way forward to its development in Bangladesh

“…These all sorts of positive answer is a good which aligned to good management practices for Halal and safe meat production. During beef cattle fattening there is a report (Islam et al, 2012) wherein stated farmers having 2-5 heads of cattle are highly fattened using growth promoters like Oradexon (Glucocorticoid steroid), Decason (Glucocorticoid steroid), Dexavet (Synthetic Steroid), Tredexanol (Synthetic Steroid), Pednivet (Steroids). Sixty nine per cent butchers are license holders.…”