Evaluation of growth performance in hybrid cattle Senepol x (BBB x Crossbred Zebu) and (BBB x Crossbred Zebu) from birth to 18 months of age
The study was conducted on 40 crossbred calves divided into four groups: 10 male calves (BBB x Crossbred Zebu) (Group 1), 10 female calves (BBB x Crossbred Zebu) (Group 2), 10 male calves (Senepol x (BBB x Crossbred Zebu)) (Group 3), and 10 female calves (Senepol x (BBB x Crossbred Zebu)) (Group 4). Each group of 10 calves of the same gender and crossbred combination was housed in two pens with 5 calves per pen. The calves were individually tagged for monitoring and were fed a TMR diet according to Thai standards (2010). The calves had free access to feed and water. The results indicated that calves from the (Senepol x (BBB x Crossbred Zebu)) crossbreds had lower birth weights, lower weights at 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18 months of age, as well as lower growth rates from birth to 18 months, compared to calves from the (BBB x Crossbred Zebu) crossbreds (p<0.001). However, the (Senepol x (BBB x Crossbred Zebu)) calves showed higher birth weights, higher weights at various age classes, and faster growth rates than other crossbred beef cattle. Additionally, the feed intake of the (BBB x Crossbred Zebu) calves was higher or tended to be higher than that of the (Senepol x (BBB x Crossbred Zebu)) calves across all stages of growth. The dry matter intake (DMI) per kilogram of weight gain in the (BBB x Crossbred Zebu) calves was lower or tended to be lower than that of the (Senepol x (BBB x Crossbred Zebu)) calves at all stages of growth.
