Growth performance of Brahman and Charolais × Brahman cattle in a tropical environment

Abstract

Weight per day of age at weaning (175 days) and at 553 days, and post-weaning gain were collected from 159 high grade Brahman and 35 Charolais x Brahman crossbreds on a commercial property in Central Queensland and analysed by the least squares method. The primary reason was to measure the effect of Charolais infusion on high grade Brahman cattle. CharolaisxBrahman cattle were 0.280 kg and 0.168 kg heavier per day of age at weaning and 553 days respectively, and gained 0.126 kg day-1 more during the post-weaning period than the Brahmans (all P < 0.005). Older dams weaned heavier calves than younger dams (P < 0.01), but the differences were non-significant at 553 days and for post-weaning gain. Males were significantly heavier per day of age at weaning and 553 days, and gained more during the post-weaning period. The regression on day of birth was highly significant (P < 0.005) for weight per day of age at 175 days, but not at 553 days.