Introduction:
A project was undertaken to investigate the economic feasibility of raising Lohi sheep and Beetal goat for meat production under high input system. The project was financed by the HEC of Pakistan. The objectives was to compare the returns from the Lohi lambs and Beetal male kids raised on different feeding regimens compared with traditional fodder based feeding system. In the first phase of the project weaned Lohi lambs, at an average age of 3 months, were given concentrates with varying levels of proteins with or without ionophores and probiotics. The inclusion level of ionophores (Salinomycin) and probiotics (sacromyces cervecee) was 20 ppm and 0.1% of concentrates, respectively. The experiment was carried out in three phases of the life of Lohi lambs: I) post weaning growth; II) growing phase and III) finishing phase. Each phase was of 90 days duration. The level of protein was 18, 22, and 26% in phase I; 14, 18 and 22% in phase II and 10, 14 and 18% in phase III.

Results of Lohi Lambs
Results of phase I:
During three months of feeding trial, the Lohi lambs raised on traditional fodder system had lower growth rate (54 vs 166 gram/day), higher FCR (8.3 vs 4.7) and higher cost (Rs. 132 vs 97.5) to produce one kg of live-weight than lambs fed concentrates. Increasing protein level from 18 to 26% linearly improved daily growth rate (145 to 166 gram/day). Addition of either ionophores or probiotics did not improve the growth rate of Lohi lambs. It was concluded that feeding a total mixed ration with 26% protein and 70% total digestible nutrients to Lohi lambs after weaning was better for improved growth rate and lowered feeding expenditure as compared with traditional fodder based system.

Phase II:
During three months of feeding trial, at the age between 6-9 months, the Lohi lambs raised on traditional fodder system had lower growth rate (67 vs 149 gram/day), higher FCR (9.7 vs 5.9) and higher cost (Rs. 161 vs 114) to produce one kg of live-weight than lambs fed concentrates. Increasing protein level, addition of either ionophores or probiotics did not improve the growth rate of Lohi lambs. It was concluded that feeding a total mixed ration with 14% protein and 70% total digestible nutrients to Lohi lambs at the age between 6-9 months was better for improved growth rate and lowered feeding expenditure as compared with traditional fodder based system.
Phase III:
During three months of feeding trial, at the age between 9-12 months, the Lohi lambs raised on traditional fodder system had lower growth rate (86 vs 168 gram/day), higher FCR (11.3 vs 7.7) and higher cost (Rs. 173 vs 133) to produce one kg of live-weight than lambs fed concentrates. Increasing protein level, addition of either ionophores or probiotics did not improve the growth rate of Lohi lambs. It was concluded that feeding a total mixed ration with 10% protein and 70% total digestible nutrients to Lohi lambs at the age between 9-12 months was better for improved growth rate and lowered feeding expenditure as compared with traditional fodder based system.
The overall take home message from this project is that although it apparently looks cheaper but in reality it is expensive to raise the Lohi lambs on traditional fodder based system compared with high input system. Farmers are advised to feed their Lohi lambs with concentrate feeds with recommended proportions of protein and energy to have more returns from them.

Results of Beetal Kids
Introduction
In the second phase of this project, the male Beetal kids, at an average of 3 months, were given concentrates with varying levels of proteins with or without ionohores and probiotics. The inclusion level of ionophores (Salinomycin) and probiotics (sacromyces cervecee) was 20 ppm and 0.1% of concentrates, respectively. The experiment was carried out in three phases of the life of Beetal kids: I) post weaning growth; II) growing phase and III) finishing phase. Each phase was of 90 days duration. The level of protein was 16, 20, and 24%, in phase I; 12, 16 and 20% in phase II and 10, 14 and 18%, in phase III.
Phase I:
During three months of feeding trials, the Beetal kids raised on traditional fodder system had lower growth rate (60 vs 150 gram/day), total weight gain (5.4 vs 13.2 kg) and final weight (17.8 vs 25.6 kg), higher FCR (11.5 vs 6.1) and cost (Rs. 145 vs 103) to produce one kg of live-weight than kids fed concentrates. Increasing protein level from 16 to 24% linearly improved daily growth rate (127 to 169 gram/day), total weight gain (11.4 to 15.22 kg) and final weight (24 to 27.7 kg) of the kids. Addition of either ionophores or probiotics in the ration did not improve the performance of the kids. It was concluded that feeding a total mixed ration with 24% protein and 70% total digestible nutrients to Beetal kids after weaning was better for improved growth rate and lowered feeding expenditure as compared with traditional fodder based system.

Phase II:
During three months of feeding trial (age between 6-9 months), the Beetal kids raised on traditional fodder system had lower growth rate (75 vs 157 gram/day), total weight gain (7.0 vs 13.0 kg) and final weight (33 vs 38.7), higher FCR (11.0 vs 6.7) and cost (Rs. 165.6 vs 107.1) to produce one kg of live-weight than kids fed concentrates. Increasing protein level, addition of either ionophores or probiotics in the ration did not improve the performance of the kids. It was concluded that feeding  a total mixed ration with 12% protein and 70% total digestible nutrients to Beetal kids during the age of 6-9 months was better for improved growth rate and lowered feeding cost as compared with traditional fodder based feeding system.

Phase III:
During three months of fattening period (age between 9-12 months), the Beetal kids raised on traditional fodder system had lower growth rate (75 vs 187gram/day), total weight gain (6.7 vs 17 kg) and final weight (41.6 vs 52.0 kg), higher FCR (12 vs 7.2) and cost (Rs. 157 vs 105) to produce one kg of than kids fed concentrates. Increasing protein level, addition of either ionophores or probiotics in the ration did not improve the performance of the kids. It was concluded that feeding a total mixed ration with 10% protein and 70% total digestible nutrients to Beetal kids during the age of 9-12 months  for fattening purposes was better for improved growth rate and lower feeding expenditure as compared to traditional fodder based system.
The overall take home message from this project is that although it apparently looks cheaper but in reality it is expensive to raise the Beetal kids on traditional fodder based system compared with high input system. Farmers are advised to feed their Beetal kids with concentrate feeds with recommended proportions of protein and energy to have more returns from them.