Growth variability among calves and young bovines from sedentary herds in northern Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract

Effects of the main factors on weight and monthly growth speed from birth to two years of age bave been evahmted from performances recordings for 1,564 calves and young bovines among fifty or so sedentary and community herds out of six areas in northem Côted’ivoire. Analysis gives evidence of the relative importance of season, age, genetic type (Baoule, Zcbu, N’Dama, Baoule x N’Dama, undertermined) as well as of interactions between such factors. Regarding calves of more than 3 to 4 months old, their growth is particularly dependant upon fodder stuff availability both in quantity and quality. Nevertheless. amont younger calves. incidence of season in largely minimized with relation to mother milk production. Furthermore, Baoule cattle whose growth speed is slower tban N’Dama’s one, show relatively smaller growth variations than other genetic types. Last, among Baoule x N’Dama crossbred, the heterosis effect on growth is rather high until six months old, while it turns to be negative beyond this age, when growth happens to slow down.