Appearance and growth performance of F1 crossbreds between Red Angus, BBB and Black Wagyu bulls with Zebu crossbred cows at Ho Chi Minh city

• Đoàn Đức Vũ, Phạm Văn Quyến, Hoàng Thị Ngân, Đậu Văn Hải, Nguyễn Thanh Vân và Nguyễn Thị Bé Thơ Author

The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the appearance and growth performance of crossbred cattle between Red Angus, BBB and Black Wagyu bulls with Zebu crossbred (Lai Zebu) cows at Ho Chi Minh City Dairy Cattle Company as the basis for development of beef cattle crossbreds in the Southern. A total of 50 newborn calves including F₁ ♂ Red Angus × ♀ Lai Zebu (group 1: RAnZe) was 15 heads, F₁ ♂ BBB × ♀ Lai Zebu (group 2: BBbZe) was 17 heads and F₁ ♂ Black Wagyu × ♀ Lai Zebu (group 3: BWaZe) was 18 heads. The results showed that body measurements and appearance indicators did not differ between groups (P>0.05). Newborn weight in 3 groups of crossbreds ranged from 26.4-28.3 kg, at 6^th month ranged from 121.1-128.2 kg, 12^th month ranged from 201.7-220.4 kg and 18^th month ranged from 277.7-290.2 kg. On average, from birth to 18^th month of age, the highest weight gain in group 1 was 485.8 g/head/day, followed by group 2 was 472.7 g/head/day and the lowest in group 3 was 464.9 g/head/day. From birth to 18^th month of age, dry matter consumption was from 10.2 to 10.6 kg, metabolic energy was from 23.1 to 24.1 Mcal and crude protein was from 872 to 911 g. There was no difference in birth weight and 6^th month of age between the 3 crossbred groups (P>0.05). The body weight at 12 and 18^th month of the F₁ BBB had not difference compare to F₁ Red Angus (P>0.05), while the F₁ Black Wagyu was lower than that of the F₁ Red Angus (P<0.05) but the same with F₁ BBB (P>0.05). Daily weight gain and feed conversion in all 3 groups of F₁ crossbreds were similar. Thus, in addition to the Red Angus crossbred that are popular with farmers, the BBB and Black Wagyu crossbreds can be developed to diversify the formula of meat-oriented crossbreds in the Southern region.