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Morphometric Characterization of Brahman Crossbred Cattle and Prediction of Live Weight Using Linear Body Measurements

Md. Mahbubur Rashid
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

Md. Azharul Hoque
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

Khan Shahidul Huque
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka-1341, Bangladesh.

Md. Azharul Islam Talukder
Bangladesh Livestock Research Institute, Savar, Dhaka-1341, Bangladesh.

A. K. Fazlul Huque Bhuiyan
Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh-2202, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The present work was conducted to evaluate the variability in linear body measurements; to investigate the relationship between body linear measurements and live weight and to predict live weight of F1 Brahman crossbred cattle using body measurements. A total of 123 male and 87 female F1 Brahman crossbred cattle of 6-36 months age and weighing from 63 to 535 kg were used for the study over a period from 2010 to 2014. The study revealed that that most of the morphological measurements were linearly increased with the advances of age. The body weight had highest correlation coefficient with the heart girth around the chest (r=0.96, p<0.001) and lowest with canon bone length (r=0.49, p<0.001) compared with other body measurements. The correlations of body weight with tail length, ear length, canon bone length and canon bone width were at medium level (r=0.51-0.79). Grouping of data according to age indicated that heart girth in >24 months group had highest correlation coefficient (r=0.96) with body weight compared to ≤12 months (r=0.92) and >12-24 months (r=0.95) group. The stepwise regression models revealed that heart girth singly accounted highest variation (93%) in body weight for all animals. Thus, the general equation for prediction of live weight of Brahman crossbred cattle was Y=4.07HG–356 (±6.96) where Y=live weight (Kg), HG=heart girth around the chest (cm). The regression equations for the live weight were Y=2.71HG–191 (±13.5), Y=4.05HG–357 (±9.77) and Y=4.87HG–471 (±23.0) for ≤12, >12-24 and >24 months age groups. The best model for estimating body weight was obtained using HG and body length (BL) for all animals Y=2.83HG+1.80BL–392 (±6.69). These results suggested that prediction equations based on HG or in combination of HG and BL can be used efficiently in Brahman crossbred cattle to predict live weight.

Keywords: Body measurements, Heart girth,Correlations, Regression equations

Location: Central Cattle Breeding Station (CCBS), Savar, Dhaka

Start Date: 00-00-2010

End Date: 00-00-2014

Program Area: Variety and Species

Commodity: Cattle

Objectives:

1. To evaluate the variability in linear body measurements.

2. To investigate the relationship between body linear measurements and live weight.

3. To formulate equations for Brahman crossbred cattle to predict live weight on the bases of one or more body measurements.

Methodology:

Live body weight and linear body measurements of 123 male and 87 female F₁ Brahman crossbred cattle reared at Central Cattle Breeding Station (CCBS), Savar, Dhaka, were recorded manually at different ages (6 to 36 month) over a period from the year 2010 to 2014. The age of animal was determined from the birth register maintained in the CCBS. The animals were living in intensive management system with little grazing. Live body weight (LBW) and eight morphometric traits were taken on each animal. The body parts measured were heart girth (HG), body length (BL), hip height (HH), wither height (WH), ear length (EL), tail length (TL), canon bone length (CBL) and canon bone width (CBW). All measurements were taken in the morning before the animals were fed. Each dimension taken was recorded in centimeter while the weight was recorded in kilogram. The body weight was taken using a mobile platform weighing scale and recorded to the nearest kilogram (Kg), and the linear body measurements were taken using the tailor’s tape measure. The WH and HH measurements were taken using the measuring plastic tape marked in centimeter (cm) and a special measuring stick made with two arms; one (plastic made) which is held vertical and the other (wooden) at right angle to it sliding by hand vertically up and down to record height while the animals were in standing position on four legs with head maintained in an upright position as described. Heart girth was measured taking a circumferential measure by the measuring tape around the chest just behind the front legs and withers. Body length was measured as the distance between the point of the shoulder (lateral tuberosity of the humerus) and the pinbone (tuber ishii), which was taken from the left-side of the animal. Care was taken to ensure that the backbone is straight in both vertical and horizontal planes. Hip height was measured as the distance from the surface of a platform on which the animal stands to the mid-sacrum on the dorsal midline. Wither height was measured as the distance from the surface of a platform to the highest point on the withers. Tail length was measured as the distance between the tip of the tail and the base end tail touching the body of the animal. Ear length was measured as the distance between the tip of the ear and the base of the ear. Fore canon bone length was measured as the length of the lower part of the leg (metacarpus bone) extending from the carpal joint to the fetlock joint. Canon bone width was measured as the circumference of left metacarpus at its narrowest. All measurements were taken by the same individuals throughout the study period. In total, 531 sets of HG, BL, HH and WH measurements, 311 sets of EL and TL measurements, 274 CBL measurements and 266 CBW measurements were considered for morphometric analysis. The data were divided into eight age categories for morphometric analysis; >6-9 months, >9-12 months, >12-15 months, >15-18 months, >18-21 months, >21-24 months, >24-27 months and >27-32 months age group. A total of 544 sets of HG, BL, HH and WH measurements, 322 sets of EL and TL measurements, 280 CBL measurements and 272 CBW measurements were considered to calculate correlation coefficient and coefficient of determination between LBW and linear measurements, and the data were divided into three age groups; Group A (≤12 months), Group B (>12-24 months) and Group C (>24 months) age group. The data obtained were expressed as least squares mean. Collected data were handled in Microsoft Excel whereas statistical analyses were done by using Statistical Analysis System. The general linear model (GLM) procedure was used to get descriptive statistics and correlation coefficient between LBW and linear measurements. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used by including HG, BL, HH and WH measurements individually and collectively to identify the best predictor variable for estimating the LBW. The choice of the best fitted regression model was selected using the coefficient of determination (R² ). Each model was assessed using R² , adjusted R² and RMSE.

Source of Information: Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. December 2015, 1(3): 569-577, ISSN: 2411-4472

Article Link (Online Journal): DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ajmbr.v1i3.26480

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Most of the morphometric measurements were linearly increased with the advances of age. Bivariate correlations between body weight and body dimensions of Brahman crossbred cattle were positive and highly significant. Body measurements such as heart girth as a single predictor can be used to predict live body weight of Brahman crossbred cattle. Heart girth and body length combined together gave the best fitted prediction models with live body weight in all age categories.

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