Pattern of Early Growth Traits and Predictions in Progenies of Muturu Cattle

Abstract

A research lasting 161days was carried out with 12 Muturu calves (6 males and 6 females) in The Teaching and Research Farm, University of Uyo, Nigeria. The cattle were managed semi-intensively to investigate the pattern of early growth traits and predict body weight using linear body measurements. Animals grazed on common grasses and legume forages, supplemented with proprietary feed (16% Crude Protein and 3500 Kcal/Kg Metabolizable Energy). Data were taken on body weight; body, ear, tail and face lengths; body, neck and head circumferences; hind and fore limbs;rump and chest widths;heart girth,trunk and height at withers. Data were analyzed with Gen Stat Software Computer Programme. Prediction equations for estimating body weight were done with Completely Randomized Design. Results revealed a pattern of gradual increase from birth till 161 days. Linear body measurements contributed to body weight in the following order: Trunk (39.44 cm), Body Circumference (36.75 cm), Body Length (31.17 cm), Height at Withers (28.00 cm), Chest Width (25.05 cm), Forelimb (18.89 cm), Neck Circumference (14.55 cm), Head Circumference (14.53 cm), Hindlimb length (18.56 cm), Rump width (12.67 cm), Tail length (10.50 cm), Face length(9.53 cm), Heart Girth(7.39 cm), and Ear Length(4.86 cm). The pattern of increase ranged from 10%-98%. When body weight was predicted with specific age groups, neck circumference, height at wither, tail length, hindlimb and trunk were not part of the prediction equations. Prediction of body weight were highly reliable both at specific age groups (R=0.811 to 0.99) and without age considerations (R=0.840 to 0.961).Body circumference was the most repeatable measurement for body weight. Very high coefficients of determination indicate that linear body measurements may successfully describe variations in body weight. Prediction equations involving more parameters were more reliable than those with fewer body parameters. Predictions were more reliable with age.