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

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)