Research Article Open Access

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

Panjono1, Ali Agus2, Tety Hartatik3, Ismaya3, Budi Prasetya Widyobroto1, I Gede Suparta Budisatria1, Pascal Leroy4 and Nicolas Antoine-Moussiaux4
  • 1 Department of Animal Production, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
  • 2 Department of Animal Nutrition, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
  • 3 Department of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Indonesia
  • 4 Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Liège, Belgium

Abstract

This study wasconducted to observe characteristics and pre-weaning growth traits of calvesborn from crossbreeding between Wagyu and Belgian Blue (BB) bulls with BrahmanCross (BX) dams. The experiment was conducted to compare two different crossesBelgian Blue (BB) x BX, Wagyu x BX and also with BX pure breed (BX x BX). Inthe first two crosses, we used Artificial Insemination (AI), while in the thirdnatural mating occurred. The number of calves in the experiment was 18 from thefirst cross (BB-crossed), 17 from the second cross (Wagyu-crossed), and 15 fromthe third (BX).BB The calves were raised together with their dams until theyreached weaning age in 180 days. The data collected was analyzed byKruskal-Wallis Test and Mann-Whitney Test for significant differences. The coatcolors of BB-crossed calves were predominantly black (77.22%), and allWagyu-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 amonggroups in body size (except the withers height) and weight at birth. TheBB-crossed, Wagyu-crossed and BX calves showed the pre-weaning growth on bodylength of 0.15±0.03, 0.17±0.03 and 0.11±0.03 cm/day; withers height of0.18±0.02, 0.14±0.02 and 0.10±0.02 cm/day; heart girth of 0.32±0.05, 0.24±0.03and 0.16±0.03 cm/day and daily body weight of 0.74±0.13, 0.62±0.06 and0.39±0.11 kg/day respectively. The average daily gain of body length onBB-crossed and Wagyu-crossed calves was higher (P<0.05) than that of BXcalves. The average withers height, heart girth, and body weight daily gain ofBB-crossed calves were higher (P<0.05) than those of Wagyu-crossed calvesand Wagyu-crossed calves were higher (P<0.05) than those of BX calves. It isconcluded that crossing Brahman Cross dams with Belgian Blue and Wagyu bullsimproves body size and weight gain of calves; further, crossbreeding withBelgian Blue bulls gives better improvement than that with Wagyu bulls.

American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
Volume 17 No. 3, 2022, 219-227

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3844/ajavsp.2022.219.227

Submitted On: 30 May 2022 Published On: 29 August 2022

How to Cite: Panjono, Agus, A., Hartatik, T., Ismaya, Widyobroto, B. P., Budisatria, I. G. S., Leroy, P. & Antoine-Moussiaux, N. (2022). Characteristics and Pre-Weaning Growth of Crossbred between Belgian Blue and Wagyu Bulls with Brahman Cross Dams. American Journal of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, 17(3), 219-227. https://doi.org/10.3844/ajavsp.2022.219.227

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Keywords

  • Belgian Blue Bulls
  • Brahman Cross Dam
  • Crossbreeding
  • Pre-Weaning Period
  • Wagyu Bulls