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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Liveweight gain, food intake, and eating rate in Brahman, Africander, and Shorthorn X Hereford cattle

JE Frisch and JE Vercoe

Australian Journal of Agricultural Research 20(6) 1189 - 1195
Published: 1969

Abstract

Food intake, liveweight gain, and eating rate were measured over 3 years on nine Brahman, nine Africander, and nine Shorthorn x Hereford male cattle offered lucerne hay ad libitum for 53–76 days.

When intakes were adjusted for differences in liveweight, the Brahmans ate significantly less feed than the Africanders and Shorthorn x Herefords. Gain was correlated with intake but not with liveweight. When gains were adjusted for differences in intakes the Brahmans gained significantly more than Africanders or Shorthorn x Herefords. The greater gain of the Brahmans is apparently related to a lower maintenance requirement.

The eating rate of animals was highly repeatable, and significantly correlated withvoluntary food intake (r = 0.61, P < 0.01) and liveweight gain (r = 0.63, P < 0.01)

https://doi.org/10.1071/AR9691189

© CSIRO 1969

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