The effects of Droughtmaster cattle genetic resources on the growth performances of their crossbreds in the Western High land
The major objectives were to evaluate the body weight, average daily gain, as well as the impact of Droughtmaster bovine proportion on body weight and gain weight of their crossbreds raising in Western High Land. Total of 584 calves in Gia-Lai (230 calves) and Dak-Lak 381 calves) of 8 breed groups including Local Yellowcattle, Red Sindhy crosses and Droughtmaster’s crossbreds with 320 females and 264 males, derived from 138 holds were investigated for data collection. Proc GLM in SAS 9.4 was used for data analyses. Proc Reg with first oder linear regression models were applied to estimate the increment of body weight and gain weight of breed groups. The results indicated that beef crossbreds upgraded with Droughtmaster genome on both Indigenous and Red Sindhi crossbred cows may be well developed in Western High Land. However, crossbreds based on Red Sindhi crossbreds gave the higher body weight and gain weight than crossbreds based on Local Yellow cows. When proportion of Droughtmaster genome in crossbreds increased, their body weight and daily gain were both enhanced. Crossbreds with 50% of Droughtmaster genome got the body weight from 352.06 and 412.49 kg at 18 and 24 months old, respectively. Crossbreds with 75% of Droughtmaster genome got the body weight from 374.26 and 436.17 kg at 18 and 24 months old, respectively. It is concluded that Droughtmaster genome affected favourably growth performance in beef cattle and it was suitable with crsossbreeding for beef cattle. Crossbreds with Droughtmaster genome at 50% were better in accordance with fattening systems in Western High Land
