Abstract
The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of 17 buffaloes (Mediterranean), from birth to slaughter age (720 days) with monthly measures of weight, thoracic perimeter, body length, and height at withers. At the end of experimental period, the animals were separated into two different groups for statistical analysis according to slaughter weight: light body weight (LBW, mean 517 kg) and heavy body weight (HBW, mean 568 kg). Buffalo growth occurs in the same way up to weaning age, and after that, two distinct groups grow in different forms in the same conditions of management and feeding. Body weight can be estimated according to age, thoracic perimeter, height, and length, showing high correlations. Buffaloes show growth in a sigmoid-curve model.
Highlights
In Brazil, buffaloes are raised mainly for milk production
At the end of experimental period, the animals were separated into two different groups for statistical analysis according to slaughter weight: light body weight (LBW, mean 517 kg) and heavy body weight (HBW, mean 568 kg)
The development of each animal is better measured when body weight is associated with measures of bone growth and body length
Summary
In Brazil, buffaloes are raised mainly for milk production. they have a great potential for meat production, which can be used to increase the profits of farms.Scientific advances are needed to improve buffalo production systems, including genetic improvement of herds. In Brazil, buffaloes are raised mainly for milk production. Studies on the animal body development are relevant in the selection of animals to optimize their weight gain by identifying the characteristics of the various factors that influence their growth performance, such as breed, gender, and nutrition (Grant and Helferich, 1991; Oliveira, 2005). Body weight gain after weaning in buffalo represents the growth vigor of the animal, which is a substantial feature in the selection of animals (Moran, 1992). The thoracic perimeter can be an alternative measure to estimate the body weight in animals. Several literature data report a high correlation between body weight and thoracic perimeter; these studies were developed with the Holstein cattle breed, and the data are not applicable to other breeds and other ruminant species, such as the bubaline (NRC, 2001)
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