Liveweight changes and carcass measurements in buffalo (Bubalis bubalis) and Brahman × Northern Territory Shorthorn (Bos indicu × B. taurus) steers up to 4 years of age grazing on improved pastures

Abstract

Ten buffaloes and eight Brahman x Northern Territory Shorthorn steers, originating from a single Northern Territory herd and grazing improved pastures near Darwin, were compared for growth up to 51 months of age and for carcass attributes. After the weaning weight, eight liveweights per animal were strategically chosen at the beginning and end of pasture seasons, the data being adjusted for known fixed effects. The buffaloes were significantly (P < 0.05) heavier at weaning (+ 17% or +23 kg) and at three of the later weights, the average difference at all the eight later weights being + 10% or +24 kg. Difference in empty liveweight and carcass weight was not significant, but the buffaloes had a significantly lower dressing percentage (-3.0%). Condition scores were taken on 24 occasions throughout the growth phase, buffaloes having significantly higher unadjusted scores on 19 occasions. At slaughter the buffaloes had a significantly greater backfat depth at the 12-13th rib (+2.3 mm). The coefficient of variation of liveweight changed little between wet and dry seasons. Older animals were heavier in spite of dry periods when the whole group lost weight. Overall mean growth rates for seven periods ranged from -0.42 to +0.58 kg/day. Variation among animals in liveweight change was important in the dry as well as in the wet seasons, with no evidence of compensatory gain.