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Asian Journal of Agriculture and Development (AJAD) - Call for papers!

The Performance of Purebred American Brahman and Its Crosses in South Cotobato, Philippines

(Philippines), Master of Science in Animal Beef (University of the Philippines Los Baños)

Thesis Abstract:

The study evaluated the growth performance, mainly weaning weights, of F1-50 percent Grade Nellore x 50 percent American Brahman, F2-25 percent Grade Nellore x 75 percent American Brahman, F3-12.5 percent Grade Nellore x 87.5 American Brahman, and Pb 100 percent American Brahman. The study was conducted in South Cotobato, Philippines using 657 records from 1972 to 1978, inclusive. The weaning weight data were adjusted at 205 days weaning age and the least squares method was used for its statistical analysis.

The statistical analysis showed that the 205-day adjusted weaing weights for F1, F2, F3, and Pb were 151.0, 154.8, 155.6, and 164 kg, respectively, and the overall adjusted weaning weight was 159.52 kg. Purebred American Brahman calves were 13.5 and 9.7 kg significantly (P<0.01) heavier than F1 and F2 calves, respectively, but was not statistically (P>0.05) different from weights of F3 calves at weaning.

The overall weaning weight means for male calves was 159.5 kg. The observed means at weaning were: 151.4, 159.0, 157.2, and 170.3 kg for F1, F2, F3, and Pb male calves, respectively. Differences for the purebred American Brahman male calves were 18.9 kg and 11.3 kg significantly (P<0.01) heavier than F1 and F2 male calves, respectively, but statistically similar to the weaning weight of F3 animals. The F2 male calves were slightly heavier than F1 and F3. However, these differences were not statistically (P>0.05) significant. The overall mean at weaning for the females calves was 153.1 kg. The observed weaning weight means were 150.5, 148.7, 155.0, and 158.2 kg for F1, F2, F3, and Pb female calves, respectively. Purebred American Brahman female calves were 7.7 and 9.5 kg statistically (P<0.01) heavier than F1 and F2 calves, respectively, and had 3.2 kg advantage over that of F3 animals. However, this difference was not statistically (P>0.05) significant. The F1, F2, and F3 calves were statistically similar.

Year effects were a significant (P<0.01) source of variation in weights of calves at weaning. Generally, the group average weaning weight means reduced tremendously (168.4 to 153.2 kg) from 1974 to 1977, but substantially increased (160.9 kg) in 1978. Average weights at weaning for F1, F2, and F3 calves were statistically (P<0.05) similar. On the other hand, Pb was statistically heavier (P<0.01) than F1 amd F2, but statistically similar to F3 animals. An increasing trend of weaning weight was noted as Brahman blood increased.