Prediction of live weight based on body measurements in crossbred animals Holstein/Gir

Authors

  • Lucas Tavares Alcântara Universidade Federal do Ceará
  • Gabrimar Araújo Martins Universidade Federal do Ceará
  • Claúdia Gabriela Andrade Bastos Universidade Federal do Ceará
  • Guilhermina de Fátima Mesquita Coimbra Universidade Federal do Ceará
  • Levi Coutinho dos Santos Universidade Federal do Ceará

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36560/17320241929

Keywords:

Association of variables, dairy cattle, body weight estimation

Abstract

The use of zootechnical indices in the production environment is essential to work assertively, with live weight being a crucial factor in monitoring the development and decision-making with animals.The present study aims to use morphometric measurements to predict the weight of heifers ½H and ¾H. A total of 299 heifers ¾ H and 32 heifers 1/2H were weighted (kg) in scale, measured (cm) with a tape to obtain the chest girth (CG) and forearm perimeter (FP), using a hypometer to measure wither height (WH), rump height (RH), and body length (BL). The procedures used were “proc means”, “proc cor” and “proc reg” parts of the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) to obtain the means, correlations between weight, measures, and the regressions equations, respectively. The equations “ Body Weight = 61,49 + 0,000056 * CG^3” and “ Body Weight = 52,82 + 0,000061 * CG^3” allowed a greater accuracy when estimating the weight of heifers ½ H and ¾H, respectively. Some equations presented slightly superior coefficients of determination, however, they needed a higher number of measures than the two equations previously mentioned. The selected equations presented, respectively R2 equals 0,83 and 0,93, requiring only one measure (CG) to estimate the animal's weight.

 

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Published

2024-04-30

How to Cite

Tavares Alcântara, L., Araújo Martins, G., Andrade Bastos, C. G., de Fátima Mesquita Coimbra, G., & Coutinho dos Santos, L. (2024). Prediction of live weight based on body measurements in crossbred animals Holstein/Gir. Scientific Electronic Archives, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.36560/17320241929