Birth Weight and Morphometric Traits of Purebred and Crossbred Belgian Blue Calves
Lisa Praharani*), Ria Sari Gail Sianturi *) and Sri Wahyuni Siswanti **)
*)RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR ANIMAL PRODUCTION
JL. Banjarwaru, Ciawi, Bogor, PO BOX 221, 16002
**)Livestock EMBRYO CENTRE
JL. Cipelang, Bogor
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. The aim of this study was to compare birth weight and morphometric traits 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 genetic and sex 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 is a preliminary information used for developing BB cattle.
Keywords: Belgian Blue cattle, crossbreeding, birth weight, morphometric traits
Topic: General animal production and husbandries (ruminants and non-ruminants)