Zootechnical characterization and barymetric formula of the Azawak zebu breed in Menaka, Northern Mali

Abstract

The objective of this study was to contribute to the preservation and improvement of the performance of the Azawak zebu in Mali by proposing an estimation of the growth and reproduction performances of this cattle breed reared in the north of the country. Monitoring involved 1129 animals in four townships in Menaka Circle, between November 2009 and February 2010. At 30 days, males weighed on average 39 ± 10 kg and females 32 ± 4 kg. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were recorded between the adult weights of bulls (370 ± 88 kg) and cows (327 ± 46 kg). The age at first calving was 50 ± 11 months with a calving interval of 16 ± 4 months. The correlations of weight with the thoracic girdle (r = 0.95) and the height at the withers (r = 0.94) were the highest. Barymetric equations were developed for each animal category (male calf / female calf, heifer / young bull, cow/bull) using polynomial weight regressions (y) on the thoracic girdle (x). These could enable livestock agents to establish a conversion table of the thoracic girdle into live weight or a barymetric measuring tape to facilitate husbandry and sanitary monitoring of animals in the field.