Characteristics and Pre-Weaning Growth of Crossbred between Belgian Blue and Wagyu Bulls with Brahman Cross Dams

Abstract

This study wasconducted to observe characteristics and pre-weaning growth traits of calvesborn from crossbreeding between Wagyu and Belgian Blue (BB) bulls with BrahmanCross (BX) dams. The experiment was conducted to compare two different crossesBelgian Blue (BB) x BX, Wagyu x BX and also with BX pure breed (BX x BX). Inthe first two crosses, we used Artificial Insemination (AI), while in the thirdnatural mating occurred. The number of calves in the experiment was 18 from thefirst cross (BB-crossed), 17 from the second cross (Wagyu-crossed), and 15 fromthe third (BX).BB The calves were raised together with their dams until theyreached weaning age in 180 days. The data collected was analyzed byKruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney Test for significant differences. The coatcolors of BB-crossed calves were predominantly black (77.22%), and allWagyu-crossed calves were red; whereas BX calves' coat colors vary: 37.5%black, 31.25% red, and 31.25% white. There was no significant difference amonggroups in body size (except the withers height) and weight at birth. TheBB-crossed, Wagyu-crossed and BX calves showed the pre-weaning growth on bodylength of 0.15±0.03, 0.17±0.03 and 0.11±0.03 cm/day; withers height of0.18±0.02, 0.14±0.02 and 0.10±0.02 cm/day; heart girth of 0.32±0.05, 0.24±0.03and 0.16±0.03 cm/day and daily body weight of 0.74±0.13, 0.62±0.06 and0.39±0.11 kg/day respectively. The average daily gain of body length onBB-crossed and Wagyu-crossed calves was higher (P<0.05) than that of BXcalves. The average withers height, heart girth, and body weight daily gain ofBB-crossed calves were higher (P<0.05) than those of Wagyu-crossed calvesand Wagyu-crossed calves were higher (P<0.05) than those of BX calves. It isconcluded that crossing Brahman Cross dams with Belgian Blue and Wagyu bullsimproves body size and weight gain of calves; further, crossbreeding withBelgian Blue bulls gives better improvement than that with Wagyu bulls.