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

Abstract

: This study was conducted to observe characteristics and preweaning growth traits of calves born from crossbreeding between Wagyu and Belgian Blue (BB) bulls with Brahman Cross (BX) dams. The experiment was conducted to compare two different crosses Belgian Blue (BB) x BX, Wagyu x BX and also with BX pure breed (BX x BX). In the first two crosses, we used Artificial Insemination (AI), while in the third natural mating occurred. The number of calves in the experiment was 18 from the first cross (BB-crossed), 17 from the second cross (Wagyu-crossed), and 15 from the third (BX).BB The calves were raised together with their dams until they reached weaning age in 180 days. The data collected was analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney Test for significant differences. The coat colors of BB-crossed calves were predominantly black (77.22%), and all Wagyu-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 among groups in body size (except the withers height) and weight at birth. The BB-crossed, Wagyu-crossed and BX calves showed the preweaning growth on body length of 0.15±0.03, 0.17±0.03 and 0.11±0.03 cm/day; withers height of 0.18±0.02, 0.14±0.02 and 0.10±0.02 cm/day; heart girth of 0.32±0.05, 0.24±0.03 and 0.16±0.03 cm/day and daily body weight of 0.74±0.13, 0.62±0.06 and 0.39±0.11 kg/day respectively. The average daily gain of body length on BB-crossed and Wagyu-crossed calves was higher (P<0.05) than that of BX calves. The average withers height, heart girth, and body weight daily gain of BB-crossed calves were higher (P<0.05) than those of Wagyu-crossed calves and Wagyu-crossed calves were higher (P<0.05) than those of BX calves. It is concluded that crossing Brahman Cross dams with Belgian Blue and Wagyu bulls improves body size and weight gain of calves; further, crossbreeding with Belgian Blue bulls gives better improvement than that with Wagyu bulls.