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A note on the growth of Beefalo crossbred calves in Botswana

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 September 2010

A. D. Makobo ,
N. G. Buck ,
D. E. Light  and
L. L. Lethola
A. D. Makobo
Affiliation:
Animal Production Research Unit, Private Bag 0033, Gaborone, Botswana
N. G. Buck
Affiliation:
Animal Production Research Unit, Private Bag 0033, Gaborone, Botswana
D. E. Light
Affiliation:
Animal Production Research Unit, Private Bag 0033, Gaborone, Botswana
L. L. Lethola
Affiliation:
Animal Production Research Unit, Private Bag 0033, Gaborone, Botswana
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Abstract

In a trial to evaluate the growth of crossbred calves under semi-arid ranch conditions in Botswana, pure Tswana and crossbred beef cows were inseminated with Beefalo and Italian semen or mated naturally with Brahman, Simmental or Tswana bulls. The 424 calves produced were weighed at birth and at monthly intervals t o 18 months of age.

Beefalo crossbred calves were significantly lighter at birth than all other calves (P<0·05). At weaning (7 months) Brahman-sired calves were significantly heavier than Tswana calves, but no heavier than the other breed types. At 18 months of age Brahman, Italian and Simmental crosses were all significantly heavier than Tswana calves (P<0·05), but there was no significant difference between Beefalo crossbred and pure Tswana calves.

These results indicated that the Beefalo cross had no advantage over the indigenous Tswana breed and more-conventional breeds were superior when crossed with the Tswana.

Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Production , Volume 33 , Issue 2 , October 1981 , pp. 215 - 217
Copyright
Copyright © British Society of Animal Science 1981

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References

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