Birth Weight and Body Measurements of Purebred and Crossbred Belgian Blue Calves

Abstract

Abstract The Belgian Blue (BB) is a breed of cattle characterized by double muscling. Introduction of Belgian Blue cattle to Indonesian is to increase beef production. A preliminary study was done to compare birth weight and body measurements of purebred BB calves to F1 BB x Friesian Holstein (FH) calves. A total of 10 purebred BB calves and 20 F-1 BB x FH calves were used in this study. Results showed that birth weight and chest girth were significantly affected by genotype of calves (P<0.05). The purebreds had higher birth weight and chest girth (P<0.05). The birth weight were 54.82 kg and 42.86 kg for purebreds and crossbreds, respectively. The body height were 75.30 cm and 76.35 cm for purebreds and crossbreds, respectively. The body length were 66.96 cm and 66.33 cm for purebreds and crossbreds, respectively. The chest girth were 88.46 cm and 81.15 cm for purebreds and crossbreds, respectively. This study was a preliminary information used for recommendation in developing BB cattle.