Prediction of body weight from linear body measurement in two breeds of cattle

The study compared live weight and linear body measurements of two breeds of cattle (White Fulani and Muturu Cattle) and regressed linear body measurements on live weight. A total of eighty-six cattle of forty-three per a breed were reared at the cattle production unit of the Teaching and Research Farm, Akwa Ibom State University – Obio Akpa Campus, Nigeria in a semi intensive management system. Parameters measured were; live weight (LW), face length (FCL), head circumference (HC), ear length (EL), neck length(NL), neck circumference(NC), height at wither(HW), body length(BL), body circumference(BC), hind limb(HL), fore limb(FL), and tail length(TL). The data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis for morphometric traits and prediction was done through linear model regression method using SPSS statistical software package. Breed of cattle significantly (P>0.05) affected all linear body measurements and live weight exception of NL .Linear body Parameters of both breeds were compared. The mean live weight of White Fulani and Muturu were 251.28kg and 149.81kg, respectively. Means of FL, EL, NL, BL, HL, TL and BC, NC and HW of White Fulani were significantly (P<0.01) higher than Muturu breed but the HC of Muturu was significantly (P<0.01) higher than White Fulani breed. Muturu breed had higher R2 of 0.98 in BL and BC than White Fulani breed. In conclusion, White Fulani was considered a larger breed than Muturu cattle. Live weight can be accurately predicted from linear body measurements through BC and BL in both breeds.

Comparative Growth Performance of Kuroiler and Nigerian Indigenous Naked Neck Chickens Kept in a Tropical Environment

Chicken production is an essential venture for steady household income generation, poverty alleviation and provision of quality nutritional aids. This study was conducted to compare growth performance of Kuroiler and Nigerian indigenous naked neck chickens reared in the tropics. A total of 538 birds comprising 345 indigenous Nigerian naked neck and 193 Kuroiler chickens genotypes were sampled. Body weight and linear body measurements were observed at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10th week. Data obtained were subjected to 2-way analysis of variance using GLM procedure of SAS. There exist significant variations in chicken genotype with growth performance. Kuroiler birds significantly showed heavier mean body weight (p<0.05) at various critical growth stages observed than the Nigerian indigenous naked neck chickens reared under same conditions. The influence of genotype and sex on mean body weight and breast girth measures of chickens remain insignificant throughout early growth stages. However, at 6th, 8th and 10th week of age, Kuroiler breeds demonstrated superior growth rate and performance response compared to Nigerian indigenous naked neck fowls. Both chicken breeds exhibited differential growth patterns and sexual dimorphism in favour of male populations. Introduction and crossing of Kuroiler strains with Nigerian indigenous naked neck birds might result in better performance and adaptability.

Phenotypic Characterization for Identification, Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Boset and Minjar Shenkora Goats of Ethiopia

This study was conducted on a total of 776 goats (part of Central highland goat breeds of Ethiopia), 306 from Boset district of Oromia region and 470 were from Minjar Shenkora district of Amhara region. A format developed by using food and agriculture organization discerption list was used for recording of morphological traits, bodyweight and linear body measurements. Both qualitative and quantitative traits were recorded from randomly sampled mature goats and the data were analyzed using SAS software. The goat type in the study area was characterized by a higher proportion of plain coat color patterns (62.5). Ingeneral, the majority (98.4%) of the studied goats were horned and characterized by backward orientation (67%) with a straight shape (49.3%). They presented a concave facial profile (73.8%), slop up toward the rump back profile (66.2%), no wattle (99.6%), no toggle (90.7%), no ruff (85.9%) and no beard (57.3%). The location had a significant effect on body weight and some other linear body measurements. Traits like body length, rump length, horn length, head length, head width and shin circumference were significantly higher in Boset district. In contrast, rump width and cannon bone length were significantly lower. The mean body weight of male goats in Boset and Minjar Shenkora district were 30.5±1.05 kg with a range of 16 to 47 and 27.5±0.56 with a range of 13 to 57, respectively. While for female counterpart mean body weights (kg) were 28.4±0.35 with a range of 17 to 45 for Boset and 27.5±0.33 with a range 15 to 57 for Minjar Shenkora district. Heart girth had the highest correlation with body weight in both sexes and shoulder width in Boset male goats. The wider variation in most quantitative measurement traits would open an opportunity for further improvement, conservation and utilization work.

Performance of female Bali cattle in different management systems at Field Station of Sekolah Peternakan Rakyat (SL-SPR) Kuamang Abadi

This study aims to evaluate the performance of Bali cows in different management systems in the Field Station of Sekolah Peternakan Rakyat (SL-SPR) Kuamang Abadi. The linear body measurement and reproductive performances of one hundred twenty-six Bali cows owned by 64 farmers located in 4 villages in SL-SPR Kuamang Abadi were measured and recorded. Survey and observation were done from October to November 2020. Data were analyzed using statistical and descriptive methods. The parameters of linear body measurement included chest circle (CC), body length (BL), and body height (BH). The reproductive performance included age first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), and service per conception (S/C). The result of linear body measurement showed that the largest CC was in a semi-intensive system at 158,03 cm; the largest BL and BH in the intensive system were 119,35 cm and 111,2 cm, respectively. The result of the reproductive performance showed that cattle in the semi-intensive systems had lower averages AFC, CI, DO, and S/C, i.e., 958,7 days, 375,1 days, 90,1 days, and 1,7, respectively. The results obtained can be used as the basis for improving maintenance management and the development of breeding Bali cattle in SL-SPR Kuamang Abadi.

Morphological variability within the indigenous sheep population of Benin

Knowledge of both the genetic diversity and geographical distribution of animal genetic resources is a prerequisite for their sustainable utilization, improvement and conservation. The present study was undertaken to explore the current morphological variability within the sheep population in Benin as a prelude for their molecular characterization. From November 2018 to February 2020, 25 quantitative linear body measurements and 5 qualitative physical traits were recorded on 1240 adult ewes from the 10 phytogeographic zones that comprise the three vegetation zones of Benin. Fourteen morphological indices were calculated based on the linear body measurements. The collected data were first analyzed using multiple comparisons of least-square means (LSmeans), followed by generalized linear model (GLM) procedures, to explore the relationships among the measured morphometric traits and the 10 phytogeographic zones. Next, the presence of any genetic sub-populations was examined using multivariate analytical methods, including canonical discriminant analysis (CDA) and ascending hierarchical clustering (AHC). Univariate analyses indicated that all quantitative linear body measurements varied significantly (P<0.05) across the phytogeographic zones. The highest values (LSmean± standard error) of withers height (68.3±0.47 cm), sternum height (46.0±0.35 cm), and rump height (68.8±0.47 cm) were recorded in the Mekrou-Pendjari zone, the drier phytogeographic zone in the North, whereas the lowest values, 49.2±0.34, 25.9±0.26, and 52.0±0.35 cm, respectively, were recorded in the Pobe zone in the South. Multivariate analyses revealed the prevalence of four distinct sheep sub-populations in Benin. The sub-population from the South could be assimilated to the short-legged and that from the North to the West African long-legged sheep. The two other sub-populations were intermediate and closer to the crossbreeds or another short-legged sub-breed. The proportion of individuals correctly classified in their group of origin was approximately 74%. These results uncovered a spatial morphological variation in the Beninese sheep population along a South-North phytogeographic gradient.

PSIII-5 Predicting live weight using linear body measurements in growing beef calves

The objective of this study is to investigate how linear body measurements relate to and can be used to predict calf body weight using linear and machine learning models. To meet these objectives, a total of 103 Angus cross calves were enrolled in the study from wk 2 - 8. Calves were weighed and linear measurements were collected weekly, such as: poll to nose, width across the eyes (WE), width across the right ear, neck length, wither height, heart girth (HG), midpiece height (MH), midpiece circumference, midpiece width (MW), midpiece depth (MD), hook height, hook width, pin height, top of pin bones width (PW), width across the ends of pin bones, nose to tail body length, the length between the withers and pins, forearm to hoof, cannon bone to hoof. These measurements were taken using a commercial soft tape measure and calipers. To assess relationships between traits and to fit a model to predict BW, data were analyzed using the Weka (The University of Waikato, New Zealand) software using both linear regression (LR) and random forest (RF) machine learning models. The models were trained using a 10-fold cross-validation approach. The automatically derived LR model used 11 traits to fit the data to weekly BW (r2 = 0.97), where the traits with the highest coefficients were HG, PW and WE. The RF model improved further the BW predictions (r2= 0.98). Additionally, sex differences were examined. Although the BW model continued to fit well (r2 0.97), some of the top linear traits differed. The results of this study suggest that linear models built on linear measurements can accurately estimate body weight in beef calves, and that machine learning can further improve the model fit.

PSX-A-21 Late-Breaking: Predicting live weight using linear body measurements in growing dairy calves

The objective of this study was to explore how linear body measurements are related to body weight and can be used to predict calf body weight using linear and machine learning models. To meet these objectives, a total of 69 Holstein calves from a commercial dairy farm were enrolled in the study from wk 2 – 8 of age. Calves were weighed and linear measurements were collected weekly. Nineteen linear measurements were obtained each week, including: poll to nose, width across the eyes, width across the right ear, neck length (NL), wither height (WH), heart girth (HG), midpiece height (MH), midpiece circumference (MC), midpiece width (MW), midpiece depth (MD), midpiece width across the 13th rib (MW13), hook height, hook width, pin height, top of pin bones width (PW), nose to tail body length, the length between the withers and pins (WPL), forearm to hoof, cannon bone to hoof. These measurements were taken using a commercial soft tape measure and calipers. Using a machine learning approach, models were generated to predict BW from calf linear measurements using Weka software 3.8.5 (University of Waikato, New Zealand) using a 10-fold cross-validation method. Both linear regression (LR) and random forest (RF) models were evaluated. Across all weeks the LR model derived 12 of the 19 traits to fit the BW model (r2 = 0.93). These included: PN, NL, WH, HG, MC, MW, MD, HW, PW, MW13, WPL. The RF model slightly reduced BW predictions (r2= 0.92). The results of this study suggest that linear models built on linear measurements can accurately estimate body weight in dairy calves. These data and models generated are important to further the development of visualized weighing systems for young dairy calves and may be used to accurately predict BW without a scale.

Relationships between body weight and some linear morphometric traits in Nigerian Nsukka ecotype local hens

Body weight (BW) and linear body measurements of 120 Nigerian Nsukka ecotype local hens in terms of body length (BL), chest girth (CG), thigh circumference (TC), thigh length (TL), and shank length (SL) were taken and subjected to Pearson correlation analysis to obtain the relationship between these growth traits. Multiple Linear Stepwise Regression procedure was used to find the best linear combination of the linear body measurements that can best predict BW. The findings showed that linear body measurement traits of Nigerian heavy ecotype local hens were strongly (p < 0.01) and positively correlated (0.5 < r) except thigh length which recorded a moderate value (0.3 < r > 0.5). The regression equations of linear body measurement traits with BW were positive with coefficient of determination ranging from 60.5-74.6%. The stepwise analyses showed shank length as best single measurement with R2 = 0.605, while inclusion of our five predictors in an equation resulted in R2 = 0.746. Thus, the following equation was generated: BW = – 1485.70 + 82.06 SL + 58.34 BL + 38.70 TC + 8.39 CG + 3.85 TL. This showed that they accounted for 74.6% of the variations in the BW of Nigerian heavy ecotype local hens. The prediction equations generated from linear body measurement traits are positive and strong, therefore can accurately be employed to predict the relative BW of Nigerian heavy ecotype local hens during selection programs as well as in the market with the use of measuring tape.