Birth Weight and Body Measurements of Purebred and Crossbred Belgian Blue Calves

Abstract

The Belgian Blue (BB) is a breed of cattle characterized by double muscling. Introduction of Belgian Blue cattle to Indonesian is to increase beef production. A preliminary study was done to compare birth weight and body measurements of purebred BB calves to F1 BB x Friesian Holstein (FH) calves. A total of 10 purebred BB calves and 20 F-1 BB x FH calves were used in this study. Results showed that birth weight and chest girth were significantly affected by genotype of calves (P<0.05). The purebreds had higher birth weight and chest girth (P<0.05). The birth weight were 54.82 kg and 42.86 kg for purebreds and crossbreds, respectively. The body height were 75.30 cm and 76.35 cm for purebreds and crossbreds, respectively. The body length were 66.96 cm and 66.33 cm for purebreds and crossbreds, respectively. The chest girth were 88.46 cm and 81.15 cm for purebreds and crossbreds, respectively. This study was a preliminary information used for recommendation in developing BB cattle.

Growth Performance Evaluation of Belgian Blue Cattle and Their Crossbred in Indonesian Livestock Breeding Centers

“…The higher performance of purebred BB cattle than the crossed cattle at birth age in this study was similar to the result reported by Praharani et al (2019). In their research, the purebred BB cattle had a higher body weight and chest girth than the F1 BB x FH reared at the Dairy Goat Unit of the Indonesian Institute for Animal Production (IRIAP).…”

“…Livestock growth performance is reflected in body weight and size (Chalid et al, 2023;Praharani et al, 2019). Body measurements are important to characterize the breed of cattle (Hailu and Getu, 2015).…”

Influence of birth weight and weaning weight on performance and veal quality

“…Fattening characteristics (final weight, slaughter weight, average daily gain) were highest in the group of medium LBW (Table 1); however, results were not significant. According to Praharani et al (2019) birth weight of calves is an important contributory factor for improving growth performance.…”

Studi Karakteristik Bobot Lahir Hasil Persilangan Belgian Blue dan Peranakan Ongole di Provinsi Jawa Barat

“…Tindakan operasi caesar diperlukan untuk mengatasi distosia. Distosia disebabkan karena pedet memiliki ukuran yang besar atau bobot lahir tinggi (Praharani, 2019).…”